Jamaican Hip Hop Legend Heavy D honored posthumously with Purpose Talk Legacy Honor Award

More than a decade after his death, Jamaican-born hip hop legend Dwight Myers, also known as Heavy D, was posthumously honored by the Irie Jam Foundation in New York with the Purpose Talk Legacy Honor Award.

The event took place recently at the Resorts World Casino in Queens. Heavy D’s parents, Eulahlee and Clifford Myers, accepted the award on his behalf.

Syntyche “Syn” Clarke, co-chair of the Irie Jam Foundation, told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, Aug. 12, that “the honor recognized Heavy D — born Dwight Arrington Myers — as a cultural trailblazer whose vision and vitality transcended borders.”

Eulahlee Myers, who migrated from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, to New York in 1968, said, “This one means a lot because it’s our Jamaican heritage.

“He did what made him happy,” she added. “That, to me, was his greatest accomplishment.”

Raised most of his life in Mount Vernon, in New York City’s suburb, “Heavy D blended hip hop and reggae to create timeless hits like ‘Now That We Found Love’, earning four GRAMMY nominations and a Soul Train Award,” according to New York-based, Jamaican entertainment publicist Anthony “ER Guru Turner.

He said Heavy D collaborated with icons such as Michael and Janet Jackson, and appeared in TV shows and films.

Eulahlee Myers said her son’s final performance was in October 2011, just weeks before his sudden death in California from pulmonary embolism at 43.

Remembered for his kindness and generosity, tributes poured in from music peers praising his talent and spirit.

“Heavy D was one of the nicest, coolest rappers I have ever met,” said radio host Dahved “Rocking You” Levy. I respected and admired him for his down-to-earth personality, authenticity, and integrity.

“These traits were the essence of his persona and character,” he added. “I admired his love for country and his alignment always with his roots, particularly the reggae and dancehall culture.

“Even at the peak of his Hip-hop/R&B career and amidst all his successes, he never neglected his Jamaican roots,” Levy continued. “He sought out many of his Jamaican cohorts to collaborate with and, in so doing, solidified his presence across the different genres.”

Patricia “Pat” Chin, co-founder of the Jamaica, Queens-based VP Records, said Heavy D’s “contribution as a Jamaican in music and film gave everyone of Caribbean descent hope.”