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Posted 13 hrs ago by MTV News in Music News

“No words can describe the sadness I feel inside my heart. Hev was my biggest cheerleader, introduced me to the game and he Dwight Errington Meyers p/k/a Heavy D most importantly was my family. This is a very sad night for me. He was good to be true.” – Pete Rock

By Nadeska Alexis

Legendary rapper, Heavy D—born, Dwight Arrington Myers—has died at the age of 44. Myers was pronounced dead at 1pm on Tuesday (November 8 ) after he was rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles. According to early reports, medics responded to a 911 call alerting them that the rapper was unconscious in his home. The New York native made his big break in the industry as part of the group Heavy D & the Boyz, who released their first album Living Large in 1987. His 1991 single “Now That We Found Love” catapulted him to further fame and he would go on to record music for popular television shows such as In Living Color. Heavy D, as he was affectionately known, gave his final and most recent performance at the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards where he performed classics such as “Is It Good To You” and “The Overweight Lover.” Minutes after news of his death broke, the hip-hop community took to Twitter to mourn and send their condolences.

Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming and specials, had the chance to work with Heavy D for his final performance at the network’s Hip-Hop Awards show. “When Hev showed up, you knew the show was about to go down,” Hill told MTV News. “Smooth on his feet and nimble with his tongue, the overweight lover/rapper/dancer was one who truly believed in the fun of hip-hop. Choreography? In rap? Yes! I’m so glad that we got to work together for his performance at last month’s BET Hip-Hop Awards. Hev was focused, energetic and happy; he worked HARD, as he always had, to excite the crowd. Our condolences go to his family and specifically his daughter who he doted on. He was a unique figure in hip-hop and will be missed.”

A few of Heavy D’s close friends also shared their final messages with MTV News below:

Pete Rock: “No words can describe the sadness I feel inside my heart. Hev was my biggest cheerleader, introduced me to the game and he Dwight Errington Meyers p/k/a Heavy D most importantly was my family. This is a very sad night for me. He was good to be true”.

Busta Rhymes: “Heavy D is my friend. Heavy D is my big brother. He was my biggest inspiration because I use to want to be like him before I entered the entertainment industry. I’m having an extremely difficult time excepting this. I was just with him at the BET Hip Hop Awards. We both were waiting for our vehicles to pick us up and for 45 minutes we had a deep discussion catching up with each other and talking about the good ole days. When I usually see him it was in passing so it was usually quick but the last time I seen him we really got to talk. This tell me that we were suppose to have that conversation because that was going to be last time I was going to see him. I’m going to miss him. We are going to a better job at keeping each other legacy alive. This news saddens me deeply.”

Ed Lover: “Heavy d was a great entertainer but a better person. I had the pleasure of knowing Dwight Myers and Heavy d. My condolences goes out to his family.This is a very sad day for Hip-hop.”

Read a few more Twitter reactions below:

@Nas Nasir Jones RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!

@questlove Questo of The Roots

Damn man. This is a wake up call like a mofo. Heavy D was a good friend & he’ll be missed. Night I met him is funniest story ever.

@FINALLEVEL ICE T

He was just on SVU jokin around.. I feel sick. Everyone on the SVU set devastated. Especially me and Mariska

@llcoolj LL Cool J

May GOD embrace the soul of Heavy D and Bless his family. I respected you Heavy and I always will.

@QtipTheAbstract QTip

This can’t be true please sumone.

@dreamhampton dream hampton

Of everything Hev was, he was thee best father to his daughter. Totally present. Everyday. RIP Hev. Love you.

thegame Charles Louboutin

Last tweet of the day: Rest In Paradise to a GOOD FRIEND & legendary hip hop icon Dwight Arrington “Heavy D” Myers. Damn life sometimes !!!

@mackmaine Mack Maine Not heavy D!!!!!!! RIP love!!! The overweight lover doe!!! Dammmmmmmmmm

@UncleRUSH Russell Simmons

I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Heavy D. A long time friend and a beautiful person

@Semtex DJSEMTEX

Damn, R.I.P. Heavy D I had a meeting with him out here just a couple of weeks ago. He was maaaaad cool.

@SeanKingston SEAN KINGSTON ©

R.I.P Rap legend Heavy D One Of The Most Influential Rappers Of The ’90s Era… Smh Another Sad Day For Music You Will Def Be Missed Man

@RevRunWisdom Rev Run

R.I.P to one of the best rappers who ever Did it @HeavyD You will be missed tremendously!

@Pill4180 Pill

Daaamn!! R.I.P hip hop legend Heavy D.. It was a honor to see him grace the stage

@TheRealSaigon Saigon

Heavy D passed away…. Say it isnt so

@NICKIMINAJ Nicki Minaj We’ll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD

@therealstylesp Styles P Rip heavy d! Thanks for putting 914 oon the map!

@xzibit XZIBIT

Rest in peace Heavy D.

@Timbaland Timbaland

i’m at a lost for words rip heavy d

@TheRealCrooked Crooked I

I hope that s–t is false

Original Story