Bad Young Brother

Hip Hop lost another "pioneer" of sorts when UK rapper/DJ/producer Derek B passed away from a heart attack. He was only 44. I rocked his debut album "Bullet From A Gun" on steady rotation in the spring of 1989. A great collection of well-produced tracks, heady lyrics ("We get paid in pounds, not in dollars") and ill scratches, the tape was a fixture in the deck of a young Commish. I have to be honest that I probably haven't listened to that album in 20 years, but I can remember it being a strong lineup with nary a track that you had to skip. While a "British Invasion" of rappers never really happenned (Wee Papa Girls, Monie Love), reading up on Derek B it appeared he sustained a level of success in the UK for some time. RIP.