Derrick Parker, the former NYPD detective known as the “Hip-Hop Cop,” died July 24 at 65, his family said.
Parker’s brother, Ralph, told Fox News Digital that the longtime detective died unexpectedly at a Nassau County hospital. He did not disclose a cause of death.
A funeral is scheduled Thursday at J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Jamaica, Queens.
Parker gained prominence during hip-hop’s explosive growth in New York during the 1990s. He headed the NYPD’s rap intelligence unit, where he monitored artists, entourages and potential conflicts.
His approach emphasized prevention and intelligence gathering. Parker worked with nightclub operators and law enforcement agencies to track artists and groups entering New York.
“You have to watch and see who’s coming to your city,” Parker told Fox News Digital in 2024. “Who’s there and who’s what.”
“We can’t track everybody,” he added. “But when certain people come to the city, you should know who.”
Parker spent more than two decades with the NYPD. His assignments included homicide and cold-case investigations. He also worked alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA and FBI.
NYPD’s Derrick Parker, Legendary Hip-Hop Cop, Dead At 65
His career intersected with several pivotal moments in hip-hop history. Parker participated in the 1999 investigation into the Club New York shooting.
Sean “Diddy” Combs faced charges stemming from that incident before his acquittal. Jennifer Lopez was also briefly detained and released.
Parker later described his relationship with Combs as professional. “I was the law, so he was always friendly,” he said. “I’m never hard on these guys.”
His investigative career became the subject of his book, “Notorious C.O.P.” The memoir detailed investigations involving Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jam Master Jay.
Parker retired from the NYPD in 2002. He later worked in executive protection and event security.
He remained active as a commentator on major criminal cases. Days before his death, Parker followed the Las Vegas prosecution of Duane “Keffe D” Davis.
Parker also hoped to publish another book. “I want to really tell a big, big story about a lot of stuff,” he said.
His death came before a planned birthday dinner with Ralph.
“We were supposed to go out to dinner for my birthday,” Ralph said. “Well, I won’t be able to go eat with him.”
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