Heavy D. & the Boyz was an American hip hop group led by 250-lb Heavy D, who is known for his wild boastings about his sexual prowess. He maintained a sizable audience through most of the 1990s.
Heavy D. & the Boyz were the first group signed to Uptown Records; their debut, Living Large, was released in 1987 (see 1987 in music). The album was a commercial success, though Big Tyme (1989, 1989 in music) was a breakthrough that included four hits. One of the Boyz, Trouble T-Roy, died in an automobile accident in 1990 (see 1990 in music), which led to a tribute on the follow-up platinum album, Peaceful Journey (1991, 1991 in music).
Heavy D. soon gained fans by appearing in the theme song for In Living Color. His next album, however, Blue Funk, was a critical and commercial failure compared to his previous success. Heavy D then began focusing on his acting, appearing in Roc and Living Single before returning the music charts with Nuttin' But Love (1994, 1994 in music). After appearing in the off-Broadway play Riff Raff, Heavy D returned to recording with the hit Waterbed Hev. He then acted in Life and The Cider House Rules before joining the cast of Boston Public.
