Malik B., founding member of The Roots, dead at 47 - CNN

Basit, who performed under the name Malik B., was part of the Philadelphia-based group from its early beginnings to about 1999, when he departed amid group tensions detailed in the song "Water" from The Roots album "Phrenology." Written by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, the track speaks to Basit's struggles with addiction.

Basit went on to produce solo material and, several years after his departure, also appeared on several tracks on Roots albums.