Heavy D, the self-styled “overweight lover” of hip-hop and a prominent US recording artist who rose to fame as one of rap’s leading stars in the 1980s, has passed away at the age of 44.
He was found unconscious at his Los Angeles residence and died on Tuesday.
Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica in 1967, gained notoriety with his group “The Boyz,” achieving success with hits like Now That We Found Love.
Notably, he featured on Michael Jackson’s 1991 track Jam and recently took the stage at the singer’s tribute concert in Cardiff. Despite being recognized for his larger physique, Heavy D embraced his size rather than allowing it to define him.
The charming MC often portrayed himself as both a seducer and a comedian. In his biggest hit, Now That We Found Love, he playfully quipped to his partner, “What’s it going to be, me or the TV?” Alongside his band, The Boyz, he helped establish the New Jack Swing genre characterized by minimalistic production, prominent R&B hooks, and sharp drum loops, paving the way for artists like Bobby Brown and Blackstreet.
Three of his albums, Big Tyme (1989), Peaceful Journey (1991), and Nuttin’ but Love (1994), achieved platinum status in the US.
During the early 1990s, he collaborated with notable artists such as Notorious BIG and Janet Jackson, humorously referring to the latter as “a walking bank vault” in her hit single Alright.
As his acting career flourished, his music production took a hit, with notable appearances in TV shows such as Law & Order: SVU and Boston Public in the early 2000s.
He also had select film roles, including parts in The Cider House Rules and, most recently, alongside Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in the comedy Tower Heist.
Despite this, he continued to produce music, and his latest album, Love Opus, released in September this year, was viewed as a significant return to form.