Malik B, founding member of The Roots, dead at 47

This image provided by @mpozitolbertphotography shows Malik B performing in studio. The rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. He was 47. Photo: Handout

Malik B, a rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. He was 47.

The group announced the death of the Philadelphia-born emcee in a social media post Wednesday. The cause of death was not released.