Died On This Date (February 3, 1998) Fat Pat / Texas Rapper
themusicsover Patrick “Fat Pat” Hawkins
December 4, 1970 – February 3, 1998
Member of the 27 Club
Fat Pat was a popular Houston rapper who achieved moderate fame and success during the mid ’90s. Besides his solo work, he could be heard as part of DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click. In 1998, Fat Pat’s Ghetto Dreams was released two weeks after his death. It included the single, “Tops Drop,” a Top-50 R&B and Top-5 Rap single. Singles he recorded with Lil’ Keke, Lil Troy & Big Hawk, and Trae all did well on the charts as well. On February 3, 1998, Fat Pat was shot and killed after collecting payment for an appearance. He was 27 years old
What You Should Own
Apache was a New Jersey rapper who began his career fronting the late ’80s hip-hop group, the Flavor Unit. In 1991, he released is debut album, Apache Ain’t Shit, which reached #66 on the Billboard album chart. The album included the hit single, “Gangsta Bitch” which received respectable radio and video play. Apache can also be heard on albums by 
Derek B was a British rapper who came on the scene during the mid ’80s. He was just 15 when he started and was soon picked up by local radio stations to spin there. He was soon hired by hip UK independent dance label, Music Is Life to do A&R. Derek B released several records during his career, a couple reaching the top 15 on the UK charts. He was one of the first British rapppers to appear on the Top of the Pops program due to his crossover appeal. As a producer, Derek B worked with the likes of Cookie Crew and Eric B & Rakim. Derek B was 44 when he died following a heart attack on November 16, 2009.