Old School Hip Hop Legend Heavy D. Dies At Age 44

Such sad news to report, but one of Hip Hop Pioneers, the rapper, who rose to fame in the ’90s with his hits including “Now That We Found Love” and “Nuttin’ But Love,” died at the age of 44 in Los Heavy D, who was born Dwight Arrington Myers, died Tuesday in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after collapsing on the walkway outside his Beverly Hills home, according to law enforcement sources. The Los Angeles County coroner's office is investigating the cause of death.

Myers, who was 6 feet 3 and weighed more than 300 pounds at one point, anointed himself the "Overweight Lover," but he had slimmed down in recent years. 

He found success in the music industry despite having dropped out of school after the eighth grade. Myers garnered praise for his radio-friendly, playful flows and was embraced as an unlikely sex symbol by female fans who called him a "big teddy bear."

Later he focused on a successful acting career which included film roles in "The Cider House Rules," "Life" and the recently released "Tower Heist." He was also featured in recent episodes of "Law & Order SVU" and "Tyler Perry's House of Payne."

Myers received a 2006 NAACP Spirit Award for his starring role as a Vietnam veteran in the play "Medal of Honor Rag." He also earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for his 1995 starring role in the off-Broadway play "Riff Raff."

In September, Myers digitally released his ninth and final album, "Love Opus." Myers' survivors include a daughter.  Read More