A rap tribute to a young father who died following a road accident has clocked up more than 9,000 YouTube hits after being played at his funeral.

A rap tribute to a young father who died following a road accident has clocked up more than 9,000 YouTube hits after being played at his funeral.

Gone Too Soon was recorded by Dan Watson in memory of his best friend Sam Crisp, 21, who died on May 3 after he collided with a car while riding his bike on Sprowston Road.

Mr Watson wrote the song to be played at Mr Crisp's funeral at Earlham Cemetery on Thursday, and recorded a video with dozens of friends, ending with them displaying tattoos in honour of Mr Crisp.

The 22-year-old said he had already had a 'crazy' reaction to the song, but hoped his friend would have liked it.

'When I wrote it I was thinking about all the things we had done, all the things we were going to do, everything we had planned,' he said. 'I think Sam would like it. Every time I made a new track he was always asking to hear it.'

In the song, Mr Watson talks of his memories of good times with his friend – socialising, watching Norwich City and planning a holiday – thanking him for his advice and promising to look after Mr Crisp's young son.

It ends: 'Everyone's around but I still feel lonely/My best mate's gone, I just want you to phone me/ My life's not going to be the same without my homie/Rest in peace Sam Crisp: the one and only.'

Mr Watson, of Dowding Road, Old Catton, who records under the name Wattz, said the track was the easiest way for him to express his feelings over his friend's death.

He said: 'He is going to be so missed, but I am happy I've been able to give his family something.'

'I've had loads of good feedback since it was played at the funeral. I'm getting messages every day saying that Sam would be proud.'

To view the video, follow the link at the top right of this story.

Do you want to pay tribute to a loved one? Email mark.shields@archant.co.uk