Malik B.

Malik B.

Malik B. (left) with Arnell (centre) and Paz (right), 2014.
Background information
Birth name Malik Abdul Basit
Genres Hip Hop
Occupation(s) singer, rapper
Years active 1987-present

Malik Abdul Basit is a hip-hop artist who was a founding member of The Roots.[1][2] He has released one EP, entitled Psychological on emcee Haak Blast's publishing company "Future Blast Publishing". He appeared on the first four albums released by The Roots, before departing the group. He returned as a featured artist for some later albums.

Career

On The Roots' album Phrenology, Black Thought dedicated a song to Malik B entitled "Water". The song details how Thought and Malik B met one another and eventually became essential in the development of the Roots.

On The Roots' seventh studio album, Game Theory, released in August 2006, Malik B returned to the group,[3] appearing on three tracks, including the title "Game Theory" (track 3, listed as 116 on North American releases), "In The Music" (track 5, listed as 118 on North American releases), and "Here I Come" (track 8, listed as 121 on North American releases). The nature of his relationship with the group was indicated by the fact that his tracks were billed as "featuring Malik B". In the liner notes, The Roots thanked Malik B, adding the statement: "Welcome Home". Malik B is also featured on two of the tracks on The Roots' 2008 album Rising Down, "I Can't Help It" and "Lost Desire".

Malik B was featured on MC Solaar's 1994 album Prose Combat in a duet with the French/Senegalese rapper.

Malik B also released a solo project entitled Street Assault which was created by Malik B and F.D.M.E's Emcee Haak Blast to start a buzz for Malik B's solo recordings. However, it became bigger than expected. Because of "Street Assault and the Psychological EP", Malik B featured on The Roots albums Game Theory and Rising Down, in 2006 and 2008 respectively (though he was a permanent member in the 1990s for the albums Organix, Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart since joining up with Black Thought and Questlove back in their college days).

Malik B's recent work includes a collaboration album with NY based producer Mr. Green and being a featured member of the Philly rap collective Beard Gang which includes, fellow Philly, artist Freeway. Malik B will be featured on a European tour in 2014 for his collaborative work on fellow Philly artist Mecca Starr's album being released by Polish record label, Stodjenascie. His recently launched website details some of his recent work.

Discography

Albums

EPs

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Kimberly (2003) "The Roots Redefine Hip-Hop's Past", Ebony, June 2003, p. 162
  2. ↑ Shapiro, Peter (2005) The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop, Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-263-8, p. 323
  3. ↑ Golianopoulos, Thomas (2006) "The Roots Game Theory", Vibe, September 2006, p. 211-2
  4. ↑ "Street Assault". http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/malikb''. FDME.
  5. ↑ New Malik B & Mr. Green “Unpredictable” Album Coming Feb. 24, 2015 On Enemy Soil
  6. ↑ "Root Awakening Malik B Makes a Phychological breakthrough". |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  7. ↑ Malik B, Executive Producer Haak Blast. "Psychological EP". http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/malikb2''.