It's been confirmed by TMZ that the legendary Dwight Arrington Myers, better known by his stagename Heavy D, passed away today. He was brought to the hospital at around noon and was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. at the age of 44. There is no confirmed cause of death.
The rapper collaborated with Michael Jackson, was name dropped in Biggie's classic "Juicy," and will be remembered as one of the pioneers during the pivotal early '90s of hip-hop. His last tweet:
Rest in peace, Heavy D.
UPDATE: Heavy D was discovered by a neighbor, who found him leaning against a railing, struggling to breathe. He was conscious when he arrived at the hospital, but died a short time later. An associate told TMZ that the rapper had pneumonia.