''Bullet from a Gun'' is the only album by
British rapper and producer
Derek B, released in 1988 on
Tuff City Records. It reached number nine on the
UK Albums Chart. US rap mogul
Russell Simmons
Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons' ...
later signed Derek to Rush Artist Management and the album was re-released on
Profile Records later in the year. Thanks to the tie-up with Simmons, Derek B toured the world with
Public Enemy and
Run-DMC
Run-DMC (also spelled Run-D.M.C.) was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, founded in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of ...
that year to promote the album.
The album was one of the first successful hip hop albums by a British artist, and has been cited as an influence by later stars of British urban music. Former BBC Radio 1 DJ
Zane Lowe has said ''Bullet from a Gun'' "was a massive album for me" and London rapper
Ty recalls "he was absolutely groundbreaking. He definitely broke the door down."
Track listing
All songs written by
Derek Boland, except where noted.
UK and Europe track listing
# "Bullet from a Gun" – 5:41
# "Bad Young Brother" – 3:58
# "Power Move" – 4:05
# "Human Time Bomb" – 5:21
# "All City" (Boland, Timothy Woodbridge, Steven Lintott, Chris Morgans) – 4:21
# "Rock the Beat" – 5:30 (bonus track on cassette and CD only)
# "Get Down" – 5:36
# "We've Got the Juice" (Boland, Cockfield) – 4:37
# "Alright Now" (Boland, Scott) – 5:00
# "Good Groove" (Boland,
The Corporation) – 5:52
# "Success" – 4:49
# "Derek B's Got...! – 4:01 (bonus track on CD only)
# "Bad Young Brother" (Billy Beat Mix) – 4:48 (bonus track on CD only)
*Note: the two sides of the vinyl LP and cassette versions of the album were labelled "East End" and "West End", respectively, referring to the
East End
The East End of London, often referred to within the London area simply as the East End, is the historic core of wider East London, east of the Roman and medieval walls of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It does not have uni ...
and
West End of London.
US track listing
# "Bullet from a Gun" – 5:39
# "Goodgroove" (Boland,
The Corporation) – 6:31
# "Power Move" – 4:05
# "Bad Young Brother" – 4:04
# "We Got the Juice" (Boland, Cockfield) – 5:44
# "Def Beat Boy" – 3:46
# "All City" (Boland, Timothy Woodbridge, Steven Lintott, Chris Morgans) – 4:21
# "Rock the Beat" – 4:42
# "Human Time Bomb" – 5:22
# "Get Down" – 5:40
# "Success" – 4:50
# "It's Alright Now" (Boland, Alan Scott) – 5:02
Production
* Producer/vocalist: Derek B
* Producer:
Simon Harris
Simon Harris (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish politician who has served as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael since 2024. A TD for the Wicklow constituency since 2011, he has served as a minister in the government of Ireland since 2016 and f ...
* Producer: "Chief Engineer" Scott
References
1988 debut albums
Tuff City Records albums
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