Rapper Derek B's Lyric Books

Explore his handwritten notes and see a snapshot of his working process

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

The first pages of the book give a clue to what is held within...

...torn pages, lyric lines, and lots of sketches.

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

Some of the pages have more structured lyrics...

...and numbers to show line progressions.

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

Many more pages are more playful and experimental...

...flowing from lyrics and long sentences, to doodles and soundbites.

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

This text appears to be planning some press material around an upcoming tour...

...with venues from Brixton Academy up to Manchester. Along with a possible appearance on Radio 1, complete with the start of a playlist!

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

These pages appear to be filled with lots of energy and emotion...

...and different colored pens, scratching out, and sketches. 

Derek B Lyric BooksBlack Cultural Archives

One of the last pages in the lyric book is filled with doodles and sketches...

...and even some quick maths!

Explore more of Derek's lyric books through the Black Cultural Archives collection. 

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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