The City of Mount Vernon is known for quite a few things these days, some good and some not so good. One thing is for certain, on November 8, 2011, the city located just a stone?s throw from the Bronx, lost a favorite son.?
Dwight ?Heavy D? Myers was a rapper turned actor and entertained millions worldwide. But more importantly from the outpouring of love and respect showed to the family and friends of Heavy, he gave of himself just as much as he gained.
The ?Rap game? lost another icon at a young age, 44 years old; thankfully though it wasn?t due to a senseless murder or drug use. Those types of deaths (when dealing with young people) over the past years have left an indelible stain that leaves families searching for answers along with grief.
The Rap world won?t be the same without his positive and sometimes humorous lyrics. But, even in death, Heavy showed that the Rap game could be used for a greater good and doesn?t have to be a tool to put people down.? Case in point, how many people are privileged to have the President of the United States write a personalized letter to be read aloud to the family and friends that attended their funeral? Reverend Al Sharpton read the letter that was then presented to Heavy D?s daughter Xea.
The funeral was by invitation only, but it was certainly a whose who in the entertainment world. In attendance were Jada and Will Smith along with Jay-Z, Usher, John Legend, Queen Latifah, gospel legend Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Johnny Gill, Anthony Hamilton, fellow Mount Vernonite Ben Gordon along with former NBA player John Salley and boxing promoter Don King, Al B. Sure, Doug E. Fresh, Russell Simmons (who attended the wake), P. Diddy, of course and a host of others.
The 349-vehicle possession from Mount Vernon to Hartsdale, NY was enough to shut down the Sprain Brook (northbound) highway. The service was two and a half hours of laughter, applause, tears and reflection. It was a funeral fit for a king, but made for Heavy D.
