Legendary Hip Hop Artist Embraced By Old Fans And New; Scores #2 iTunes Reggae Album Chart Spot
Legendary Heavy D, (Dwight Myers) has found himself with one of the country’s hottest new reggae albums, Vibes. Hev’s new album currently owns the #2 spot on the iTunes Reggae chart.
Propelled by the top-requested single and digital favorite, Long Distance Girlfriend, the album has become a mainstay of Reggae playlists after only a month of release. Currently, the new album is available in digital-only format. The physical album will be released on December 16th across the U.S.
The versatile Heavy D is known as one of hip hop’s most palatable and gregarious rap artists. On Vibes he has reignited his reggae pedigree on his latest and long awaited offering. Born in Jamaica, his family moved to Mount Vernon, NY when he was 8, but the charismatic artist has always seasoned his music with a peppering of reggae influences. Keeping busy the past decade with an array of production chores and an impressive acting resume, he was determined to clear the deck long enough to hit the studio and create music that would combine his noted production heft with the influential reggae rhythms he grew up loving. “Reggae’s the first music I ever experienced,” says Hev.
“I’ve always mixed reggae and hip hop. But I came to a point where I felt I had put the exclamation mark on my hip hop career. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to transfer the love, respect and passion I have for hip hop and reggae into my latest musical endeavor.”
Hev took great pains to imbue the album with an up-to-the-minute currency, but also anchors it with the kind of riveting authenticity that he has experience in his past collaborations with reggae giants such as
Super Cat, Buju Banton, Josey Wales and others.
“You can’t fake this stuff,” says Hev. “I learned a long time ago you go with the music that’s in your heart or you don’t go at all.”
Long Distance Girlfriend is the kind of nimble, horn-filled sonnet that grabs both avid reggae aficionados and mainstream music fans. Flexing his trademark repertoire of danceable rhythms, including the occasional ‘Hev-mastered’ signature hip hop beat (and even ska influences), songs such as Love You Like This, featuring Barrington Levy, and the soaring Queen Majesty, round out the hit album, with Hev’s relaxed, confident manner shining through on every track.
Also proud of the role he’s played for several years now as a self proclaimed ‘stay-at-home-dad,’ Hev cites the full spectrum of experiences that have shaped his life as motivation for Vibes.
“I’ve been blessed with family and work,” he says. “I’m an artist by birth. When I reached for inspiration to make sure this album flowed with the kind of organic spirit I felt for this music – it was there. You can’t ask for any more than that.”
Highlanda Sound 