Heavy D & The Boyz

Hip Hop Group This one rapper/two-dancer/one DJ outfit was the first group signed to Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records. MC Heavy D (Dwight Myers), DJ G-Whiz (Glen Parrish) and hip hop hoofers Trouble T. Roy (Troy Dixon) and Eddie F (Edward Ferrell) brought beats-n-rhymes that, while tough enough to appeal to hardcore rap heads, were lovable and dance-able enough to appeal to parents. After debuting with 1987’s Living Large, the Mount Vernon, NY, quartet found their breakthrough LP with 1989’s Big Tyme, which yielded hit singles like “Gyrlz, They Love Me” and “We Got Our Own Thang.” Following the death of T. Roy, the group released the hit album Peaceful Journey. They would also perform the theme song for the breakthrough TV show In Living Color. Heavy D would later go into acting, with appearances on TV shows like Roc and A Different World as well as films such as Life and Cider House Rules. On November 8, 2011, Heavy D passed away from respiratory failure.