Heavy d

Heavy d:

First Smokin’ Joe Frazier, now Heavy D. It’s been a tough week for celebrities in both sports and music so far.

Heavy d:

Smokin’ Joe Frazier passed away on Monday and if you haven’t heard yet, the overweight lover aka daddy cool aka Dwight Arrington Myers aka Heavy D. passed away at the age of 44. Frazier was before my time so while I recognize the impact of his death, Heavy D’s passing hits a little harder for me.

Heavy d:

I grew up with this cat and his Boyz, from 1987′s Living Large to his switch to reggae, straight through to the recently released Love Opus. The music world was pretty fickle when it came to being large and in charge in popular music – hell, look at what Martha Wash weny through over the years. But with some fly moves and smooth grooves, the hip-hop world embraced the big man with open arms and D.

Heavy d:

wasn’t afraid to poke fun at himself either. And I think that’s what made so many people love him throughout the years, other than the obvious talent. He was what he was. He didn’t have a hit record and then slimed down to make videos. No, he played that round mound up to the hilt.

Heavy d:

I was a skinny kid back in school listening to him but that went out the window in college. Now being a little portly myself, I look back with tremendous respect for the guy and am shaking in my boots too.

Heavy d:

I’m only nine years younger than Heavy D. and I have medical issues of my own, so his death hits home a bit. But this isn’t about me, it’s about mourning the loss of a hip-hop legend, so show him some love by checking out some of his best tunes, both hits and lost tracks below.