Heavy D: The Overweight Lover of Hip-Hop

Heavy D was an American rapper, singer, and record executive who became a defining voice in hip-hop's journey into the mainstream during the late 1980s and 1990s. Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York, he achieved major commercial success, leading his group Heavy D & the Boyz to multiple platinum albums and a string of Top 40 hits that blended rap with R&B and dancehall.

Early career

Born Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica in 1967, he moved to Mount Vernon, New York, as a child. He formed the group Heavy D & the Boyz with high school friends DJ Eddie F, Trouble T. Roy, and G-Whiz, signing with Uptown Records, a label pivotal to the new jack swing era.

Breakthrough

The group's 1989 sophomore album, Big Tyme, became their commercial breakthrough, fueled by its crossover appeal. The album eventually reached platinum status, propelled by the success of the smooth, chart-topping single "Now That We Found Love," which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Key tracks

Now That We Found Love — This 1991 hit, featuring a sample from Third World, became his biggest pop crossover success and a definitive new jack swing anthem.

Somebody For Me — A key track from the platinum Big Tyme album, it showcased his signature romantic, ladies-man persona over a buoyant beat.

Nuttin' But Love — The title track from his 1994 solo album highlighted his consistent, positive lyrical approach and sophisticated production style.

Who's the Man? — The title theme for the 1993 film solidified his presence in Hollywood and featured his smooth, confident flow.

Big Daddy — This track from his 1997 album Waterbed Hev demonstrated his enduring ability to craft radio-friendly hip-hop soul.

He remained a constant presence, launching his own label, Uptown Entertainment, and expanding into acting and television theme music, most notably performing the iconic theme for the sitcom "In Living Color." His later career included notable collaborations with artists like Michael Jackson on "Jam" and Janet Jackson, and he released his final studio album, Veteran, in 2008.

Artists with a similar blend of hip-hop, R&B, and positive energy from the same era include Kid N Play — another duo from the Uptown Records family known for their playful, party-ready anthems. Bell Biv DeVoe — this group mastered the fusion of new jack swing rhythms with hip-hop attitude and smooth harmonies. MC Lyte — a pioneering female voice in hip-hop who also worked within the Uptown milieu and shared a commitment to sharp, clean lyrical skill.

Heavy D's catalog remains a staple on classic hip-hop and throwback R&B radio stations, as well as on online radio streams dedicated to 90s music. His upbeat, melodic tracks are frequently featured in rotations that celebrate the golden age of hip-hop and its crossover moments.

The music of Heavy D, a foundational artist in hip-hop and new jack swing, can be heard on various radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his influential hits and deep cuts by tuning into the classic hip-hop and R&B radio stations available on onairium.com.