# Heavy D
**Heavy D** was the stage name of **Dwight Errington Myers** (some sources give Arrington as his middle name), a Jamaican-born American rapper, record producer, and actor who led the hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz and was one of the defining voices of hip-hop's late-1980s and early-1990s golden age[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372809/) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d-dies-aged-44). Combining nimble rhymes with elements of R&B, reggae, dance, and pop, he built a career in music, television, film, and record-label leadership, ending with executive posts at Uptown Records and Universal Music[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born / died | 1967, Mandeville, Jamaica; November 8, 2011, Los Angeles, California, aged 44[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography) |
| Group | Heavy D & the Boyz: dancers/hype men G-Whiz (Glen Parrish) and "Trouble" T. Roy (Troy Dixon), and DJ/producer Eddie F (Edward Ferrell)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372809/) |
| First signing | First group signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records in 1986; debut album *Living Large* (1987)[2](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d-dies-aged-44) • [4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) |
| Biggest hit | "Now That We Found Love" (1991), a version of the O'Jays' Gamble and Huff classic, which reached No. 2 in the UK[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) |
| Platinum albums | *Peaceful Journey* (1991) and *Nuttin' But Love* (1994)[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) • [3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography) |
| Label executive | In 1996 became president of Uptown Records, described in one obituary as making him the first rapper to become president of a record label[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) |
| Cause of death | Pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis, likely from a clot formed during a flight from London to Los Angeles[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/29/heavy-d-pulmonary-embolism-dvt) |
## Early life
Myers was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, in 1967, the son of Eulahlee Lee, a nurse, and Clifford Vincent Myers, a machine technician[6](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/heavy-d). His parents moved the family to [Mount Vernon, New York](https://www.edgepedia.org/mount-vernon-new-york), in 1971[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). He began writing his own rap lyrics at the age of eight, telling an interviewer, "From the time I was eight, I was listening to Afrika Bambaataa and a lot of these other cats and making rhymes"[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
## Heavy D & the Boyz
Myers formed Heavy D & the Boyz with his high-school friends Eddie F, Trouble T. Roy, and G-Whiz[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-the-boyz-mn0000953447). The Washington Post reported that, having won $1,500 with friends on a slot machine in Atlantic City, the group put the money toward a drum machine and made a demo tape that reached [Andre Harrell](https://www.edgepedia.org/andre-harrell), who was then an executive at Def Jam[8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html). Harrell launched Uptown Records in 1986 and made Heavy D & the Boyz its first signing[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
The group's debut album, *Living Large*, appeared in 1987, and its spin-off singles "The Overweight Lover's in the House" and "Mr Big Stuff" set the comic, self-mocking tone of Heavy D's songs, in which he joked about his own girth[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). Its follow-up, *Big Tyme* (1989), produced the hits "We Got Our Own Thang," "Somebody For Me," and "Gyrlz, They Love Me"; the album reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B/hip-hop chart[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). Heavy D & the Boyz became key players in new jack swing, a pop-oriented fusion of hip-hop, dance grooves, and R&B, offering a playful alternative to contemporaries such as Public Enemy and N.W.A[2](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d-dies-aged-44).
In July 1990, Trouble T. Roy died following a fall while the group was in [Indianapolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/indianapolis)[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). Their third album, *Peaceful Journey* (1991), was named in his memory and, like *Big Tyme*, earned a platinum disc[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). It contained "Is It Good to You," the posse cut "Don't Curse," and the group's biggest hit, "Now That We Found Love," their version of the O'Jays' classic, which reached No. 2 in the UK[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). In 1990 Heavy D also wrote and performed the theme song for the Fox sketch comedy series *In Living Color*, making him a weekly television presence[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). *Blue Funk* (1993) followed, and *Nuttin' But Love* (1994) returned the group to platinum status, spawning "Black Coffee," the R&B Top Five "Got Me Waiting," and the title track[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography).
## Collaborations and production
Heavy D's crossover work marked a milestone in the genre. In 1990 he became the first rapper to record with [Janet Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/janet-jackson), lending vocals to the remix of her hit "Alright"[6](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/heavy-d). In 1992 he performed the rap on [Michael Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-jackson)'s smash single "Jam"[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). He also collaborated with B.B. King on "Keep It Coming" from the 1997 album *Deuces Wild*[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
Behind the scenes he was a songwriter and producer for other artists. He discovered the vocal group [Soul for Real](https://www.edgepedia.org/soul-for-real) and the singer Monifah[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372809/), and produced tracks for Jay-Z and [Beanie Sigel](https://www.edgepedia.org/beanie-sigel)[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography). In 2000 he produced Carl Thomas's soulful hit "Summer Rain," and in 2005 "Feel It In The Air" by Beanie Sigel[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/heavy-d-rapper-and-actor-best-known-for-the-crossover-hit-now-that-we-found-love-6261052.html).
## Record-label executive
After his run with the Boyz, Heavy D moved into label management. Around the early 1990s he became vice president of A&R at Uptown[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-the-boyz-mn0000953447), and in 1996 he became the label's president, which one obituary described as making him the first rapper to become the president of a record label[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). The hip-hop historian Joan Morgan, interviewed by The Washington Post, called him the first rapper to head a major music label and said he paved the way for performers-turned-label-executives such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and [Lil Wayne](https://www.edgepedia.org/lil-wayne)[8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html). At Uptown he helped nurture the budding career of the R&B singer [Mary J. Blige](https://www.edgepedia.org/mary-j-blige) and hired an intern, Sean "Diddy" Combs[8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html). From around 1997 he was a senior vice president at [Universal Music Group](https://www.edgepedia.org/universal-music-group)[6](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/heavy-d).
## Acting
Heavy D built a concurrent acting career in television and film. His television appearances included *Roc*, *Living Single*, *Tales from the Crypt*, *Boston Public*, and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, along with recurring roles on *Roc* and *Boston Public*[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) • [10](https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/news/heavy-d-rapper-turned-actor). His film roles included *The Cider House Rules* (1999), *Big Trouble* (2001), *Step Up* (2006), and a cameo in *Tower Heist* (2011)[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d) • [10](https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/news/heavy-d-rapper-turned-actor). In 1995 he earned strong reviews for his performance in the off-Broadway crime drama *Riff Raff*, written and directed by [Laurence Fishburne](https://www.edgepedia.org/laurence-fishburne)[8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html).
## Solo years and final performances
Heavy D released four solo albums, beginning with *Waterbed Hev* (1997) and *Heavy* (1999), by which point his chart profile had begun to wane[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). Later solo records included *Vibes* (2008) and his final album, *Love Opus*, released in September 2011, two months before his death[11](https://www.fandango.com/people/heavy-d-1476073/biography) • [4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
In October 2011 he performed live for the first time in 15 years, singing "Run" with [La Toya Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/la-toya-jackson) at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Cardiff and delivering a medley of hits at the BET Hip-Hop Awards[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
## Death
Heavy D died on November 8, 2011, at [Cedars-Sinai Medical Center](https://www.edgepedia.org/cedars-sinai-medical-center) in Los Angeles, after collapsing on the walkway outside his Beverly Hills home[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). He had tweeted "BE INSPIRED!" that morning[2](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d-dies-aged-44). On December 29, 2011, the [Los Angeles County](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-county) coroner announced that the cause was a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that probably formed in his leg during a flight from London to Los Angeles and migrated fatally to his lung; he had reportedly spent about six weeks in London and returned shortly before his death[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/29/heavy-d-pulmonary-embolism-dvt). Pneumonia, initially reported, was ruled out, as were drugs; a toxicology report found medication he was using for a cough, which the coroner said was not contributory[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/29/heavy-d-pulmonary-embolism-dvt). His funeral was held at Grace Baptist Church in [Mount Vernon](https://www.edgepedia.org/mount-vernon), and he was buried in Hartsdale, New York[12](https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1050). He was survived by a daughter, Xea[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d).
## Legacy
Critics credited Heavy D with reaching audiences other rappers did not: he mixed pop, reggae, and R&B into an accessible yet grounded sound while avoiding the bleaker themes favored by gangsta rappers[4](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d). His women-friendly lyrics earned him a following among African-American feminists, and the hip-hop historian Joan Morgan, author of *When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost*, said that "at a time when hip-hop got increasingly more violent and increasingly more misogynistic, he really appreciated black women and black beauty"[8](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html). The Notorious B.I.G. referred to him in the song "Juicy," and Heavy D appeared in Biggie's video for "One More Chance"[12](https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1050).
## References
1. [Heavy D, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372809/)
2. [Rapper and actor Heavy D dies aged 44, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d-dies-aged-44)
3. [Heavy D Biography, AllMusic (Steve Huey)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-mn0000669738/biography)
4. [Heavy D obituary, The Guardian (Adam Sweeting)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/09/heavy-d)
5. [Rapper Heavy D died from pulmonary embolism caused by DVT, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/29/heavy-d-pulmonary-embolism-dvt)
6. [Heavy D, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/heavy-d)
7. [Heavy D & the Boyz Biography, AllMusic (Steve Huey)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/heavy-d-the-boyz-mn0000953447)
8. [Heavy D, hip-hop's self-described 'overweight lover,' dies at 44, The Washington Post (T. Rees Shapiro)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heavy-d-hip-hops-self-described-overweight-lover-dies-at-44/2011/11/09/gIQAVskg6M_story.html)
9. [Heavy D obituary, The Independent (Pierre Perrone)](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/heavy-d-rapper-and-actor-best-known-for-the-crossover-hit-now-that-we-found-love-6261052.html)
10. [Heavy D, Rapper Turned Actor, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/news/heavy-d-rapper-turned-actor)
11. [Heavy D Biography, Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/people/heavy-d-1476073/biography)
12. [WBSS Media: Heavy D](https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1050)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license