One of the great tragedies in hip-hop is how the game seemed to take Heavy D for granted. The Overweight Lover from Mt. Vernon was one of the most consistent presences in hip-hop throughout the s, and he became one of the more under-appreciated producers in the late s and early s. Add to that his tenure as a producer and labelhead at Uptown Records he helmed major hits for acts like Soul IV Real and Monifah and you have an artist that played a huge role in shaping the sound of urban music in the s. Of course, fans everywhere were stunned when Heavy passed away on November 8, Those who don't remember the Heavster's heyday firsthand may not completely get why so many are still saddened that he's not here. Heavy D's early style was undeniably fun and lighthearted, and it informed the rest of his career. From the very beginning, he let you know that he wanted you to have a good time.
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
It may not been as big on the Billboard charts as the other two "Big Tyme" singles, but "Gyrlz, They Love Me" cemented Heavy D as the "overweight lover" by showcasing the rapper dropping a string of smooth come-ons to his female target. Gotta love that saxophone breakdown, too. The track may have been perfect for radio, but the song's music video -- featuring Hev busting dance moves with the best of 'em -- helped establish the rapper as an instantly recognizable and likable personality. Looking back, Heavy D's promotion of monogamy -- "A relationship! A commitment! Something to live for! Arguably his most recognizable and long-lasting single, Heavy D's "Now That We Found Love" was assisted by an indelible hook by Aaron Hall and a music video that features a dance crew rocking a deserted alley while sporting some candy-colored, in-retrospect-ridiculous rain coats. The Biz premium subscriber content has moved to Billboard. To simplify subscriber access, we have temporarily disabled the password requirement.
"Blue Funk"
Fulfillment by Amazon FBA is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program. Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
New York City's five boroughs may get most of the attention when it comes to the state's reputation as a mecca for rap, there are a number of enclaves beyond the city limits that have also had an immense impact on hip-hop, one of them being Mount Vernon. Boasting a production lineup that included Marley Marl, Teddy Riley, Eddie F, Living Large was one of the hottest rap releases of , and marked the arrival of Heavy D, who would emerge as one of the first unconventional sex symbols in rap, a distinction he would keep throughout his career and up until his death in Thirty years after its release, The Boombox takes a stroll down memory lane and highlights five of the songs from Living Large that best stand the test of time. Heavy D and Trouble T. Big Stuff Remix " is one cut from the album that contains a beat that was outsourced. However, Juice Crew boardsman Marley Marl rose to the occasion with a percussion heavy number that Heavy D would transform into one of the album's more popular selections.
