It’s been 10 years since Heavy D’s last studio album. But the former
frontman of seminal hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz is quickly getting back up to speed—reggae style.
His new album, “Vibes,” was issued this week (Dec. 16) following its
digital debut in September. Released on Heavy D’s Stride Entertainment, distributed by Federal Distribution via Universal Music Group subsidiary Fontana Distribution, “Vibes” garnered a Grammy nomination earlier this month for best reggae album.
Given his previous collaborations with such reggae artists as Super Cat,
Buju Banton and Josey Wales—plus his own Jamaican ancestry—Heavy D says the switch to reggae isn’t really that surprising.
“Whoever’s been following me knows I’ve been doing these type of records from day one,” he tells Billboard.biz. “I always incorporated reggae in my music.” He cites “Mood for Love,” a track from the group’s 1989 “Big Tyme” album, as an example. “People are creatures of habit and afraid to change. So that was a bit of a concern,” he continues. “But not enough to stop me.”
Working with such veteran and emerging producers as Mike City, Warryn Campbell, Charlie Bereal and Jimi Kendrix, Heavy D put together a 10-song set featuring lead single “Long Distance Girlfriend,” inspired by his parents’ 45-year love story. Its video—developed by Heavy D and Caribbean film director Frank E. Flowers—premiered today (Dec. 16) on BET’s “106 & Park.”
Signed to Uptown/MCA, Heavy D & the Boyz recorded a series of top 10 R&B hits in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. That list includes “Somebody for Me,” “Now That We Found Love,” “Got Me Waiting” and “Big Daddy.” A pioneer of the rapper-turned-label executive trend, he became president of Uptown, working with Mary J. Blige, Jodeci and Sean Combs. Over the years he has since amassed a host of musical productions (Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel and most recently Anthony Hamilton) and film/TV acting credits (“The Cider House
Rules,” “Boston Public”).
Planning a spate of appearances after the holidays and a tour in the summer, Heavy D is still keeping his hand in acting. Upcoming projects include doing the Sam Shepard-written play “True West” and a script he’s completed that director Brett Ratner has agreed to produce.
After taking the last eight years off to help raise his third-grade daughter (“I’m Mr. Mom for real”), Heavy D is ready to move forward musically. “I gave the [hip-hop] game the best I could. Then it became not fun anymore. Now I’m captain of my own ship; excited about revisiting my roots and doing something different.”
