RIP Heavy D **UPDATE**

It saddens us to report that rap legend Heavy D passed away earlier today at the age of 44. According to TMZ, a 911 call was placed from a home in Beverly Hills stating there was an unconscious man in a walkway. When the paramedics arrived, Heavy D was reportedly responsive to medical workers while being transported to a nearby hospital. An hour later, doctors pronounced him dead. Cops are investigating the death but see no signs of foul play.

*Update* TMZ has spoken with law enforcement who gave them a more detailed account of Heavy D’s last moments:

Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress. Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911. Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse. People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that. Law enforcement sources tell us … no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was “medical.”

Dwight Arrington Myers was born in 1967 in Jamaica and with his group ‘Heavy D & The Boyz,’ he reached fame with his 1987 Uptown Records release ‘Livin’ Large.’ He’s most recognized as rapping the theme songs for the hit shows ‘In Living Color’ and ‘Mad TV,’ as well as being featured on the song ‘Jam’ with Michael Jackson. He’s had featured acting roles on ‘The Tracy Morgan Show,’ Cider House Rules,’ ‘Life’ with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, ‘Bones,’ ‘Boston Public,’ and most recently having a cameo role in the movie ‘Tower Heist,’ which hit theaters last Friday.

At the BET Hip Hop Awards last month, Heavy D performed and looked absolutely fine as he lit up the stage and hyped fans.

Rest in peace.