Derek B, one of the UK's first hip-hop stars and the first British rapper to appear on Top of the Pops, has died of a heart attack. The London-born rapper scored top 20 hits with Good Groove and Bad Young Brother in 1988.
London-born Derek Boland began his career at 15, DJing on pirate radio stations like LWS and KISS. His first rap track, 1986's Rock the Beat, was a surprise success and lead to breakthrough hits the following year. Derek B became one of the first UK hip-hop stars, appearing in Smash Hits magazine and on Top of the Pops, where he was the third rapper to ever perform (following US acts Doug E Fresh and Break Machine).
In 1988, Derek B signed with Rush Artist Management, a firm owned by American hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. This led to big-name crossovers, such as Public Enemy's appearance on Derek B's 1988 album, Bullet from a Gun. Derek B also produced and remixed tracks by Eric B and Rakim, and co-wrote Liverpool FC's Anfield Rap.
As word of Derek B's death filtered on to the internet, eulogies poured on to Twitter. American rapper Peanut Butter Wolf dubbed it "another sad day", while Estelle called Boland an "originator". London MC Ty went further: "In this time of forgetfulness, let's just say ... HE PAVED THE WAY for any rappers mc grime artists to be in the mainstream ... No question."
Derek B would have celebrated his 45th birthday on 15 January.
