D. Cross

D.Cross (Derick Cross) is a Queens NY born and Brooklyn based multi-dimensional visual, vocal poetic performance artist, arts educator. He creates imagery and vocal art that transcends and crosses boundaries of genres and labels. This “Vocal Beat Expressionist” uses “vocal acrobatics” to create sonic collages of his poetry combining words, raps and beatboxing. He has performed nationally & internationally in venues including Madison Square Garden, SOB’s, BB Kings, The New Vic Theatre, Carolines and Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Mr. Cross was selected as a cultural Hip-Hop Ambassador for The US State Departments Next Level program (2017). He served as a Hip-Hop Cultural Diplomat in Azerbaijan.

D. Cross has been featured on MTV, The Electric Company, Nickelodeon, TV Land & BET’s 106’s & Park. His vocal talents have been featured on the award-winning Aflac “Pigeon Rap” ad & 7–Up ‘s “10” campaign. He was the Hottest Poets $10,000 Spoken Word Grand Champion of 2002/03 as well as a member of their international slam team of 2003. 

D. Cross’ visual arts has been exhibited nationally & internationally (Sweden & Brazil). His artistry is currently featured in Dr Myrah Brown Green’s award-winning art anthology “Brooklyn On My Mind”. Cross’ work can be found as part of the collections of Erykah Badu (Singer), Ed Lewis Founder of Essence), Ruby Dee (legendary actress), Judith Jamison (Alvin Ailey), Kool Herc (Hip-Hop founding father) ,Big Daddy Kane (Hip-Hop Icon), Rakim (Hip-Hop Icon), Danny Simmons (Artist/Co founder of RUSH Arts & Def Poetry), and Bashiri Johnson (world renowned percussionist). He is the Arts Director for African Voices Communications. Mr. Cross is also a SVA (School of Visual Arts) graduate (Bachelors of Fine Arts ) who has worked as an Arts Educator teaching youth visual arts, vocal arts (Beatboxing) and poetry for over the past two decades .

Selected Recent Artist Performances and Exhibitions 

  • Welcome Back by Poetic Theatre Productions / Downtown Arts (performer)Theatre August 3 2021
  • Sounds of the City at NJPAC (performance opening with NJPAC HipHop Arts Ed for Rakim)
  • Expressions of Black Fatherhood (Curator & a featured artist (virtual art exhibit) for The Real Dads Network June 2021
  • Poetic Performance for the street naming for Richard Wright (Ft Greene Brooklyn) March 2021
  • Drum Folk by StepAfrika at The New Victory Theatre (performer) NYNY February – March 8 2020
  • Some Words (Black Art Story) Visual Art Exhibit at Vitality Myrtle Ave Brooklyn NY February 2020
  • Rush Arts Philadelphia presents Sounds of Jazz (Poetry ,Spoken Word and Jazz) April 2019

Selected Recent Workshops

  • NJPAC Summer Virtual Arts Hip-Hop Ed (virtual workshops (Beatbox/Graffiti Art) 2021
  • HipHop Art (Virtual workshop series) by D. Cross (Queens public Library) August, June , May 2021
  • HipHop Art by DCROSS (virtual )(Danbury Public Library) February 2021