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Rotund RAP legend Heavy D died Tuesday after collapsing in his California home. He was 44.
The Westchester County-raised entertainer was taken by ambulance to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles about 11:25 a.m. and died 90 minutes later – cops told the Daily News.
Heavy D was conscious and talking when officers responded to a 911 call from his Beverly Hills condo, said Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
Rosen said the portly rapper, whose real name was Dwight Arrington Myers, was having difficulty breathing as paramedics rushed him to the hospital.
The performer had just returned from Europe and was battling pneumonia, KTLA news in Los Angeles reported.
Rosen said Heavy D had come home from a shopping trip Tuesday and began laboring for breath as he walked into his condo building.
“He collapsed in an exterior hallway” – Rosen said. “There doesn’t appear to be any foul play. We believe it was medically related.”
The actual cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Mount Vernon, Heavy D rose to stardom in the 1990s as the frontman for Heavy D & the Boys.
Along with band mates G-Whiz, Trouble T. Roy and Eddie F., he made hip-hop history with hit songs like “Now That We Found Love””and “Nuttin But Love.” They also performed the theme song for the 1990s comedy TV series “In Living Color.”
Heavy D last performed in October at the BET Awards.
In recent years, he had ventured into acting, scoring small movie roles, including one in the 1999 film “The Cider House Rules.”

Heavy D.

It was only in September that mother of hip-hop Sylvia Robison died but there was further shock in the music world yesterday with the sad passing of hip-hop’s Heavy D. The US star was one of rap’s biggest names and died yesterday (Tue.) aged only 44. He was found unconscious at his home in Los Angeles.
Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police said that Heavy D had been out shopping and had returned home having breathing difficulties. He collapsed in a hallway and was taken to the Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he later died. Heavy D was born Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica in 1967 and became a star in the late 1980′s. With his band “The Boyz” he had hits such as Now That We Found Love and also featured on a Michael Jackson song Jam in 1991. He had made movie appearances and was recently in Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller. He also recently appeared at the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert in Cardiff.
Tributes have been paid to Heavy D including a tweet from LaToya Jackson who appeared with him at the recent tribute concert to her brother. She said: “My heart goes out to the family and [loved] ones of Heavy D,” according to BBC News. Singer Ice T told how when he heard that Heavy D was dead he felt “sick,” and expressed his condolences. MC Hammer posted this on Twitter: “We had a lot of great times touring together. He had a heart of gold.”
A TMZ report tells how fellow founding member of Heavy D and the Boyz, Eddie F, issued a moving statement about the man who was his longtime friend in which he said: “We were only young kids out of high school when we got into the game just wanting to make fun music filled with love and excitement. We always had so much fun as a group. I cherish all the happy times we had together while unknowingly helping to build the movement and legacy we call Uptown Records. I love you Hev and we all will miss you so much.”
Rather poignantly, Heavy D made a final tweet on Tuesday morning to his followers, of course not knowing it would be his last. It said: “BE INSPIRED.” Considering how many fans were inspired by Heavy D’s life and music this seems rather apt and we would do well to remember his words. If you have any thoughts to share or tributes you wish to pay to Heavy D then leave us your comments.

Hip hop artist Heavy D died today (November 8th) at the far too young age of 44. The “Now That We Found Love” singer was best known for his work in the R&B scene, but the Jamaican-born Heavy D was a known quantity on the screen as well. Indeed, his work as an actor can be seen as recently as “Tower Heist,” the Brett Ratner-directed and Eddie Murphy-starring comedy currently playing in theaters.
In honor of Heavy D, take a look back at some of the artist’s most memorable turns on the big screen.
1 – “Life”. It’s only fitting that one of Heavy D’s earliest screen appearances has a strong link to his final bow – he starred in the 1999 comedy “Life” opposite future “Tower Heist” co-star Eddie Murphy. The movie was also produced by “Heist” producer Brian Grazer. D starred in “Life” alongside a who’s who of comedians, including Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Anthony Anderson and Bernie Mac.
2 – “The Cider House Rules”. Heavy’s personality and presence lent itself easily to comedy, but he was no stranger to award-winning fare either – he played Peaches in “The Cider House Rules,” the 1999 Oscar contender about a young man’s connection to an orphanage during World War II.
3 – “Boston Public”. Heavy D had an acting presence on the small screen as well as the big one. He had a recurring role on Fox’s high school drama “Boston Public” as Bob “Big Boy” Lick, the school’s compassionate guidance counselor. D appeared in 13 episodes of the TV series from 2000 through 2003.
4 – “Hitch”. OK, OK, so Mr. D wasn’t actually in this comedy, but “Now That We Found Love,” provided the musical tapestry upon which Will Smith and Kevin James boogied in the final wedding scene. Try as we might, we can’t hate “Hitch.” And we will always dig early 90′s rap.
5 – “Tower Heist”. His final appearance was brief, but memorable – Heavy D had a cameo appearance in this past weekend’s “Tower Heist” as a courthouse guard. Nothing too fancy, but he was surrounded by fantastic actors and previous collaborators in his final cinematic effort.