Heavy D Documentary Airing

Late rapper Heavy D is the subject an hour-long documentary that is to air in late February. The doc, Be Inspiredfeatures interviews from notables ranging from Mary J. Blige to Will Smith as they recount their experiences with the much-beloved and respected hip hop star.

Queen Latifah, Brett Ratner, MC Lyte, and several other stars and family members share stories about Heavy. Will Smith discusses their transitions from hip hop to Hollywood. It also includes vintage performance footage

Fat Joe Discusses Heavy D

Bronx rapper Fat Joe discussed the legacy of late hip hop star Heavy D and Joe's own crusade to get healthier. Joe appeared on BET's "106 & Park" and revealed that Heavy's career was a huge influence on his own.

“It was a sad occasion when Heavy D passed. He’s somebody I look up to. He was a mentor, somebody who really inspired me growing up,” Fat Joe explained. “Being a big person Heavy D was doing it so big I’ve always admired him so it was a sad note…I had confidence. I felt like I was looking at TV and I seen a guy Heavy D and I’m Fat Joe from The Bronx. And I was dancing like him and it made me feel confident about myself. And I felt like fat guys could do it.”

“I lost like six friends last year,” said Fat Joe. “They was all like 30-something and all that. And what had happened was one of my friends passed away and he was like the funniest, coolest dude in the world. Make you laugh all the time and I went to his funeral in the Bronx and he had a daughter…and I felt like I seen myself in there. And I was like ‘Yo, God gotta love him more than me so if he could pass away then I better get on my health thing so I can stick around for the peoples.’”

Heavy D Passed At 44

Rapper Heavy D, one of the 90s most beloved hip hop stars, has reportedly passed away. The rapper/actor/producer, born Dwight Myers, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital around noon today and was pronounced dead at 1 pm. He was only 44 years old.

According to TMZ, a 911 call was placed from the rapper's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 this morning to report an unconscious male on the walkway.

Heavy just performed at the BET Hip Hop Awards last month in what was one of the show's most talked-about moments.

UPDATE:According to reports, Heavy D had just returned from shopping and began having trouble breathing as he was walking up a flight of stairs. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him and held the rapper in his lap as others called 911. Heavy D reportedly told Mills, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe."

Heavy D had a pulse as he was being rushed to the hospital and witnesses are saying it appeared he had a heart attack, though no confirmation has been given.

Heavy D's Death Sparks Reactions

The Hip Hop community was shocked late last night (November 8) to learn that beloved rapper Heavy D had passed away suddenly. The 44 year old was known for upbeat rhymes, nimble dance moves and his famously likeable persona. Several hip hop notables tweeted their shock and condolences over the 'Overweight Lover's' death.

"I cannot believe what I'm hearing about HEAVY D just Died!" producer DJ Premier tweeted. " 9th Wonder added: "My God...@PeteRock birthed me...and Heavy D birthed him...Rest In Peace Heavy D...#PeacefulJourney."

"RIP Heavy D...God Bless!!!" Lupe Fiasco shared, with DJ Drama tweeting, "Man. RIP to overweight lover heavy d."

"RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!" Nas tweeted.