The rapper was found outside his Beverly Hills home yesterday morning after collapsing. He was awake at the time paramedics arrived, but died later at the hospital. The official cause of death is still pending an autopsy.

Heavy D., real name Dwight Arrington Meyers, released his first album in 1987, with childhood friends DJ Eddie F (now a producer), Trouble T-Roy, and G-Wiz. They were known as Heavy D and the Boyz. The debut album included the songs “The Overweight Lover’s in the House” and “Mr Big Stuff.” The group’s second album “Big Tyme” in 1989, was embraced by radio when it played songs such as “Somebody For me,” and “We Got Our Own Thang.”

In 1990, group member Trouble Roy was killed in an accident during a concert tour. It was one year later that Heavy D and the Boyz had their biggest hit, a remake of the reggae song “Now That We Found Love.” In the mid-to late’90s, Heavy D began an acting career, appearing in film and on television, including the critically acclaimed series “Boston Public.”

In October, heavy D appeared on BET's Hip-Hop Awards, in a tribute to Michael Jackson, whom he worked with on the song "Jam" in 1992.

Fans and friends are remembering Heavy D on the Radio-Info.com boards.