Heavy D, the former leader of popular hip-hop group Heavy D and the Boyz, has passed away at the age of 44. It was reported that he had been suffering from pneumonia and was rushed to the hospital this afternoon. He was later pronounced dead at 1 PM PT. An investigation is currently underway, but no foul play is suspected at this time.
Breaking into the music industry in 1987, Heavy D and the Boyz had success with their first album Living Large. The group arguably had their biggest hit in 1991 with Now That We Found Love, you can see the video below:
One of the last tweets that Heavy D tweeted out was him paying respects to “Smokin” Joe Frazier.
@heavyd
HEAVY DSMOKIN JOE FRAZIER..RIP.. truly one of the best heavyweight champs that ever lived.. GODS SPEED,MR FRAZIER!
20 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
As I’m sure you can imagine, news of the death of Heavy D spread around Twitter very quickly, below are some selected tweets:
@Nas
Nasir JonesRIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D! 3 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@MikeTyson
Mike TysonI was just with Heavy D in LA last month @ Manny’s restaurant with our old crew. We said it was a reunion but we were really saying goodbye. 41 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
@funkmasterflex
Funk Flex !!!!! In Flex We Trust » #IFWTRemembersHeavyD: Heavy D & The Boyz – The Overweight Lovers In The House http://t.co/2Jhic9gh 14 minutes ago via TweetMeme · powered by @socialditto
@anthonyjeselnik
Anthony JeselnikFinally, The Boyz get their chance to shine! 1 hour ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@UncleRUSH
Russell SimmonsCreated the whole genre of soulful hip hop. Rip My man #Heavy D 48 minutes ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto
@MistahFAB
Mistah F.A.BR.I.P HEAVY D grind king just paying respects to a LEGEND 22 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@therealdjfresh
DJ FreshR.I.P. to rap legend Heavy D he had several big hits in the 90’s he also wrote and performed the theme song 2 In Livin Color.. 24 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
@chrisrock
Chris RockAbout 20 summers ago Heavy took me out on the road as his opening act. Best time of my life. Really gonna miss him. http://t.co/Ivg3AVrr 37 minutes ago via WhoSay · powered by @socialditto
@MrEdLover
Ed LoverHeavy D was a great entertainer but a better person! He gave swagger to the big fellas to come after him! 42 minutes ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
@MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic JohnsonLost 2 friends in the last day – Heavy D & Joe Frazier. 45 minutes ago via WhoSay · powered by @socialditto
@naughtybynature
Naughty by NatureHeavy D was a great influence and mentor to Naughty by Nature. I learned how to be gentleman in this industry by… http://t.co/lHmdu2JF 53 minutes ago via Facebook · powered by @socialditto
@RickiLake
Ricki LakeWow, RIP rap legend Heavy D. Too too young. 🙁 56 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
You can read more about the death of Heavy D at FamousDead.com
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