Music
Rapper Derek B has passed away after reportedly suffering a heart attack yesterday.
The musician, real name Derek Boland, was taken to London's Charing Cross Hospital on Sunday morning. However, paramedics were unable to resuscitate the 44-year-old, reports NME.
The star was known for his influence on the UK hip-hop scene throughout the '80s. He initially worked as an A&R man for the Music Is Life label, where he also recorded the track 'Rock The Beat'. The song later went on to be released as a single, followed by other tracks including 'Good Groove' and 'Get Down'.
The singles' popularity led to a number of high-profile appearances for Derek B on mainstream UK television and radio, including Top Of The Pops - one of the first appearances for a UK rapper on the show.
Simon Harris, who founded Music Is Life, paid tribute to Boland today, saying: "It is with great sadness that I heard the terrible news that Derek Boland has passed away. Derek was a wonderful person and a great talent, it was a privilege to have known and worked with him over the last 25 years.
"Derek was always a huge inspiration to me and can never be replaced, his tragic death at such a young age is a great loss to everyone who has known him and also his many fans."
The musician, real name Derek Boland, was taken to London's Charing Cross Hospital on Sunday morning. However, paramedics were unable to resuscitate the 44-year-old, reports NME.
The star was known for his influence on the UK hip-hop scene throughout the '80s. He initially worked as an A&R man for the Music Is Life label, where he also recorded the track 'Rock The Beat'. The song later went on to be released as a single, followed by other tracks including 'Good Groove' and 'Get Down'.
The singles' popularity led to a number of high-profile appearances for Derek B on mainstream UK television and radio, including Top Of The Pops - one of the first appearances for a UK rapper on the show.
Simon Harris, who founded Music Is Life, paid tribute to Boland today, saying: "It is with great sadness that I heard the terrible news that Derek Boland has passed away. Derek was a wonderful person and a great talent, it was a privilege to have known and worked with him over the last 25 years.
"Derek was always a huge inspiration to me and can never be replaced, his tragic death at such a young age is a great loss to everyone who has known him and also his many fans."
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