Heavy D

About

Dwight Arrington Myers, known professionally as Heavy D, was a Jamaican-American rapper, record producer, and actor who became a defining voice in hip-hop during the 1980s and 1990s. Raised in Mount Vernon, New York after his family's relocation from Jamaica in the early 1970s, Heavy D rose to prominence as the leader and frontman of Heavy D & the Boyz, the first group signed to the legendary Uptown Records. Alongside his creative partners—dancers and hype men G-Whiz and "Trouble" T. Roy, as well as DJ and producer Eddie F—Heavy D developed a distinctive sound that maintained a sizeable and devoted audience throughout the 1990s. His production team drew from some of hip-hop's finest minds, including Teddy Riley, Marley Marl, DJ Premier, and his cousin Pete Rock. Heavy D passed away on November 8, 2011, at the age of 44.

Heavy D's artistic reach extended far beyond his work as a performer. Across five group albums and four solo releases, he demonstrated his multifaceted talents as both a rapper and record producer, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. Beyond his own prolific output, Heavy D proved to be a visionary talent scout, discovering and nurturing emerging artists including Soul for Real and Monifah, thereby shaping the next generation of R&B and hip-hop voices. His work as an actor further showcased his versatility in entertainment, establishing him as a respected figure across multiple creative disciplines throughout his influential career.