Peaceful Journey: A Tribute to Dwight Arrington Myers (Heavy D)

On November 8, 2011, around 6pm I was getting ready to leave the office and my coworker told me that there was a rumor on Twitter that Heavy D had passed. In complete disbelief, I went on to Twitter and saw several ‘#R.I.P Heavy D’ tweets…still not convinced, I immediately ‘Googled’ Heavy D and checked out every possible news source…I still remained skeptical. This seemed like déjà vu circa June 25, 2009.

There was a sense of emptiness upon hearing confirmation that ‘The Heavster’ passed away. Heavy D was one of my favorite artists for several reasons:

1)    He was an artist who never felt the need to curse and degrade women. Heavy D encouraged us to treat a lady right and showed us how cool it was to do so.

2)    He showed us that it’s okay to share your emotions. “Somebody For Me” still remains the soundtrack of my relationship status.

3)   Heavy D showed the world that being large is sexy. His presence and energy on stage put many people (even a tiny dude like myself) to shame. The brotha could dance!

4)   Heavy D represented his birthplace (Jamaica). Unlike many artists who migrate to the U.S, Heavy D always made it clear that he was proud of his country of birth.

I must say I have fond memories of growing up in the 80’s and 90’s. This was an era when music (in particular rap and hip-hop), had character, finesse, and optimism. As such, I feel the need to share an experience from my youthful days:

The year was 1989. Heavy D & The Boyz came out with their second album “Big Tyme”. I was 12 years old in Junior High School with my hair shaved on the sides rocking the ‘box cut’, African medallions around my neck, baggy pants and over sized glasses. #Noregrets

After watching the Arsenio Hall episode with Heavy D & The Boyz performing “Somebody For Me”, I remember wishing to impress the girls in my classroom with these neck-breaking, acrobatic dance moves.

The crew and myself decided that for the upcoming talent show, we’d replicate the dance routine from The Arsenio Hall show with Heavy D. Since most of us taped the show, we all carefully watched the VHS tape (pause…slow-motion…repeat…repeat…repeat…until we perfected most of it). We spent many days hanging out in the hallways practicing the dance routines creating a circle of on-lookers.

I almost wish we had a video of our performance, but when I think back of the size of my glasses, the colourful combination of our outfits and the hairstyles…I think some things are best left as a memory.

Back then I was in an environment where the majority of classmates were into Metallica and Guns & Roses most of them telling me that this “Rap crap” is just a fad. I never took them on; I always thought that this musical movement was too good to be a fad.

Heavy D was one of the many artists who kept this movement going while remaining positive. His time on Earth was short lived, but the memories he left us with are everlasting.

Heavy D’s last tweet was “Be inspired” and thanks to his contribution to the entertainment and hip-hop industry, many people are!

Thanks for the memories Heavster! We wish you a peaceful journey!

Check out my tribute mix here:

http://www.mixcloud.com/djshy_guy/peaceful-journey-a-heavy-d-tribute-mix/

 

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