Rapper Derek B Dies

British rapper DEREK B has died of a heart attack, aged 44.

The Bad Young Brother hitmaker, real name Derek Boland, passed away in London’s Charing Cross Hospital on Sunday morning (15Nov09).

Boland was a pioneering figure on the U.K. hip-hop scene in the 1980s.

After a stint working as an A&R man for the Music Is Life label, he headed to the recording studio and released a string of tracks including 1987 song Rock The Beat and Good Groove in 1988.

Simon Harris, who founded Music Is Life, has paid tribute to Boland.

He tells NME.com, “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. May I offer my love and sincere condolences to his family especially to his dear mother Jenny. Rest in peace Derek B, Bad Young Brother.”