The Reggae Influence of Heavy D

Photo Courtesy of ABC News

Yesterday the Hip Hop world lost one of it’s pioneers. Dwight Arrington Myers aka Heavy D died suddenly at age 44. The Overweight Lover, who was born in Jamaica, relocated with his family to “Money Earnin'” Mt. Vernon, NY. It’s here where Hev would begin to make his impact. Although you may just know him for his flashy, neon leather outfits, wicked dance moves, and quick flow, his influence on Hip Hop music goes way back.

Reggae music and Hip Hop were destined to be together from day one. Kool Herc was of Jamaican descent, and he injected that influence over his music with his Sound System in the Bronx. He would have a guy like Coke La Rock on the mic, not rapping so much in the modern sense, but really toasting phrases that would go on to become popular rap slang from the get go. These poor, inner city residents who went to see Herc could relate to what Jamaicans were saying on wax, as they were going through the same thing there.

“Directly or indirectly, elements of hip-hop can be traced back to the sonic experiments that began in Jamaican studios 25 years ago. Hip-hop had to start from some idea, and it is visible that not enough Jamaican artists are credited for its technical development. ”

While Herc was changing the game by inventing Hip Hop, extending the drum break, and continuing to break ground, it was inevitable that the Jamaican Sound Systems, toasting and boasting would be the foundation of what Hip Hop and rapping is today. Heavy D would then lead the charge as he dipped into the Reggae record pool to sample. When Heavy D and the Boyz reworked Third World’s cover of the O’Jays “Now That We Found Love” into their own hit, the game changed. He would later go on to do records with Frankie Paul, Supa Cat, Sizzla, Buju Banton throughout his career. Many other artists followed suit in both sampling and collaborations. Special Ed sampling Desmond Dekker’s “007 (Shanty Town)” on “I’m the Magnificent”, Dave and Ansel Collins vocal from “Double Barrel” landed on the aforementioned track as well as tracks by Biz Markie, Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five and many, many more, Shinehead’s “Who the Cap Fit?” using Bob Marley, The Brentford All Stars “Greedy G” was used by BDP, Eric B. and Rakim, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince are just a few early examples of Hip Hop turning to JA for sample material. It wasn’t long before artists like Sister Nancy, Tenor Saw, U-Roy, Jackie Mitoo and Augustus Pablo among others were being sampled. The flood gates were opened. Reggae music is now a huge source of sample material, not just in Hip Hop today, but all throughout all genres in music.

Heavy D was a pioneering rapper, actor, singer, and producer. His early work with Marley Marl, Teddy Riley, the Boyz (including Trouble T.Roy Troy Dixon) and a young Pete Rock (who was influenced by Hev and paid tribute to T.Roy on his hit “T.R.O.Y.”) Uptown Records (how about a young Biggie with Heavy on record?) morphed into New Jack Swing, Hip House, In Living Color themes, collaborations with Michael and Janet Jackson, and BB King among others. If you think that Hev was just an 80’s Cross Colors wearing big man dancing, you are wrong. A huge contributor to this Hip Hop game, he has left us way too early, but left an everlasting mark on Hip Hop whether people realize it or not.

“Heaven’s at the door so there will be no bum rushin’- Heavy D, “Self Destruction”

Third World – Now That We Found Love