Heavy D Dead: On the Verge of a Comeback Before Death
Heavy D was planning a comeback with the release of a new album in September, his BET Awards performance, as well as making plans for a music video. These hopes came to an end after he died at the age of 44 last Tuesday.
TMZ said one of Heavy D's album collaborators, Carl Thomas, spoke to the rapper about two weeks ago and discussed plans for shooting a music video to "Still Missing You."
Thomas said Heavy had already picked out the shoot location and director.
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Heavy D was hoping his latest performances at the BET Awards and the Michael Jackson tribute show would help put him back in the spotlight, as they helped create buzz for his album Love Opus.
The funeral for the entertainer will be held this Friday in New York and will include a number of famous friends of Heavy.
Names like Diddy, Mary J. Blige, and a few of the Wayans brothers, as well as Eddie F and G-Whiz of Heavy D and the Boyz are confirmed to attend.
Heavy D, also known as Dwight Arrington Myers, started rapping in 1986 with his group, Heavy D and the Boys.
The rapper's big break through came in 1989 with Big Tyme going platinum and reaching No. 1, and again in 1994 with Nuttin' But Love.
Heavy D performed at the Hip-Hop awards in October making it his first live performance in 15 years.
Despite weighing 344 pounds at the time of his death, Heavy D was reportedly trying to get into shape and was very serious about his health in the months before his death.
According to TMZ, Heavy ran nearly every day and was a member of several Los Angeles gyms. Heavy D lost 150 pounds in 2008 thanks to one of his trainers, known only as Tony. The trainer told TMZ that Heavy visited Ultra Body Fitness in West Hollywood three months before his death to re-strategize his training program.
Tony said Heavy was looking to get back into the work out groove after not being active for a while. Heavy began exercising more vigorously, running, hiking and even kickboxing as he spent time at a few different gyms.
Tony also told TMZ that at Heavy's most intense, the rapper was training six to seven days a week.
According to the Los Angeles coroner’s office, Heavy died of respiratory failure.
Law enforcement told TMZ that Heavy was shopping and then stopped at a banister to gather his breathe. His neighbor phoned emergency services.
The hip-hop legend passed away at the hospital.
