Chris Samuel
Mount Vernon, N.Y., has unveiled a sculpture honoring the late rapper Heavy D. Created by artist Eto Otitigbe; the sculpture is named “Peaceful Journey,” after the title of Heavy D’s third album. Heavy, who led the rap group Heavy D & The Boyz, is known for his contributions to hip-hop in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sculpture Honors Heavy D’s Contribution To Hip-Hop
The sculpture, made out of Vermont marble and steel, is located in front of a new residential building on 42 Broad Street in Mount Vernon, N.Y. The artist behind the sculpture, Eto Otitigbe, wanted to pay tribute to Heavy D along with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop culture.
The sculpture was unveiled on April 27, 2023–nearly 13 years after the “Overweight Lover’s” rapper’s passing.
Life & Legacy:
Born Dwight Errington Myers, Heavy D was a legendary rapper, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame in the late 1980s with the release of his debut album, Living Large, which included hit singles such as “Mr. Big Stuff” and “The Overweight Lover’s in the House.”
He released several successful albums throughout the 1990s, including Peaceful Journey and Waterbed Hev. Heavy D was known for acting in films like The Cider House Rules and Life alongside Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy.
Other Late Rappers Honored With Artwork
Heavy D is not the only late rapper honored with artwork. In 2019, a mural of Young Dolph was unveiled at Art Basel. Additionally, Pop Smoke, who was shot and killed in 2020, was recently honored with artwork. A mural was painted in his honor in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where the rapper grew up.
Notorious B.I.G., another legendary rapper from NYC, was recently honored with a statue in his Brooklyn hometown. The statue was unveiled in September 2021, marking the 24th anniversary of his death.
