A Heavy Contribution...

I have a lot to say about Heavy D...

...but literally can’t get it all to flow properly. I've started, stopped, edited, deleted, etc… I'm so frustrated at myself right now because I usually can't shut up about things that mean something to me. Yet now... I feel mentally scrambled.

All I can say at this point is that I’m extremely sad over his passing because I love hip hop. I love it so much because while I was living with an abusive step-father, rap music was one of my escapes. It was my favorite escape because it helped me realize who I was.

I was paid in full.

I was tougher than leather.

I was bigger and deffer.

I was straight out the jungle.

I was a smooth operator.

I was a rebel without a pause.

I was a 100 miles and runnin’.

I was a brand new funk.

I was three feet high and rising.

I was one for all.

I was all souled out.

I was still number one.

I was strictly business.

But above all else… I was from money earnin’ Mount Vernon. I had more bounce. I had my own thang. I let it flow. I was in the mood for love. I was flexin’. I was dedicated. I was mr. big stuff.

I was big tyme and living large.

And the dude living right across town made sure I knew it.

In ten days, I expect to complete my 40^th year in this form. Had it not been for Heavy’s contribution to my mental and emotional peace 20 years ago, I have no idea where I would be right now.

Thank you very much, Dwight.

~ Russell Merritt