Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Dwight Arrington Myers AKA Heavy D

Most of you know him as Heavy D, but to close friends and love ones, he was just simply known as Dwight Arrington Myers.  Born in Mandeville, Jamaica on May 24, 1967, Heavy D at a very young age, and his family relocated to Mount Vernon, New York.  Destined for greatness, Dwight became affiliated with rap music at its inception, and what is more, started making his own demonstration (demo) tapes in junior high school.  Subsequently, he formed a group by the name of The Boyz with fellow high school friends:  DJ Eddie F, Trouble T-Roy, and G-Wiz.  After fortunately reaching their demo tape to Def Jam Executive, Andre’ Harrell who was in the process of establishing Uptown Records, Heavy D and The Boyz were the first Uptown artists in 1986.  Commendably, in 1987 Heavy D and The Boyz released their debut album entitled, Living Large.  Singles Mr. Big Stuff and The Overweight Lover’s in the House are the two hits that really established Heavy D as a rap icon in the eyes of rap fans.  His image was definitely a massive one and on the map now.

This image followed Heavy D, known as ‘Hip-Hop’s original overweight lover’ throughout a lengthy career as a strong MC as well as in film and television.  One thing that was so positive and unique about Dwight is that he and his music managed to reach people from a positive perspective without vulgarity and disrespect.  According to the article, Heavy D Biography, “…His girth could easily have become a one-note premise, but varied his lyrical concerns to include positive message tracks and fun-loving party jams and exuded warmth and respect for women without getting too graphic or sentimental.” As aforementioned, Mr. Myers was a jack-of-all-trades, as he was rapper, songwriter, producer (tracks for Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and himself, just to name a few), actor (B.A.P.S., Step Up, Life, Living Single, The Tracy Morgan Show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Law & Order, and Boston Republic, just to name a few), executive level businessman and believe or not, an agile dancer! 

After stepping out of the limelight for a while with performing, Heavy D broke out with two killer performances (Michael Jackson Tribute and 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards (shown below)) in October 2011 letting the world know he still had it.  Unfortunately on November 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported that Heavy D passed after collapsing outside of his Beverly Hills home.  Mr. Myers was pronounced dead in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center emergency room from complications related to pneumonia and respiratory failure.  This news not only shocked, but also, devastated the world.  Dwight Arrington ‘Heavy D’ Myers was only 44 years old.  Homage was recently paid to the late, great entertainer on the 2011 BET Soul Train Awards in November 2011.
Readers,

One thing that stuck out to me personally and that I had absolutely no knowledge of, was that Heavy D wrote and performed the theme song for the hit comedy series, In Living Color with The Boyz.  Now when I refer back and pay attention, I definitely hear him rapping the verses.  After all of these years, I never knew that was his song.  Heavy D will be forever remembered and definitely never forgotten.  If you too, were a fan and/or admired Mr. Myers, why don’t you Share In The BlogLedge, and post your sentiments about this topic.



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