Sculpture honoring rapper Heavy D unveiled in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, New York (WABC) -- The Mount Vernon community unveiled a new sculpture that captures the legacy of an influential musician who found his voice in New York.
Jamaican-born rapper Heavy D, whose real name was Dwight Arrington Myers, moved to Mount Vernon with his family when he was younger and discovered rap early on.
On Thursday, Brooklyn-based artist Eto Otitgbe was joined by Heavy D's family and Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard to unveil his sculpture in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the rapper's influence on the genre.
"My son loved the arts and this sculpture and this sculpture depicts the love that he have especially for the city of Mount Vernon," Heavy D's mother Euhlalee Myers said.
Otitgbe titled his work "Peaceful Journey" after one of Heavy D's songs that the artist said, "offers a thoughtful and complex picture of the lives of Black and Brown people (living) in places like Mount Vernon, the Bronx or Los Angeles.
The sculpture is installed at 42 Broad Street, the latest luxury high-rise to achieve Passive Housing pre-certification in Mount Vernon.
"I wanted to pay homage to the Mount Vernon community that had such an important place in hip-hop with this work of art," Otitigbe said.
The popular 90s rapper and actor died suddenly at the age of 44 from complications of pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung.
His 2011 wake and funeral drew long lines and in attendance, a list celebrities some of whom offered memories and reflections during the service.
ALSO READ | Report finds 50% of working-age New Yorkers don't earn enough to meet basic needs
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a News Tip
