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I was twittering away when I heard the news. Shocked, I tweeted "Did I read correctly... Heavy D has passed?" No response from the Twittersphere. Headed over to hiphopdx.com and CNN for confirmation - yep, HHDX was on point - Heavy D was no longer with us. I took a seat.

It took me 30 minutes to realize that I hadn't moved, looked at or said a word to my kids (who where doing homework/ playing on the PS3/ sleeping)... Everything stopped for those 30 minutes as I reflected back on my childhood and how the artist, Dwight Arrington Myers - a.k.a. Heavy D, was gone.

My first thought: "I'm just really happy that he was acknowledged for his contributions BEFORE he passed on." - This is a simple one. I've always complained that, as a community, we tend to fail those that blazed the trail for us as DJ's/ fans/ Mc's/ Producers/ the whole game. BET had recently given Heavy D his due, something that he was quietly critical about, and he put on a great show - it was something to see him back doing what we all remembered. It was Hev - older, slimmer, slick movin' and flowing Hev.

Second thought: My thoughts are with his family. He passed suddenly - totally unexpected. I've read that he has a young daughter, so I hope that family, friends, and the community at large shows their love and support.

Third thought: How we've "forgotten" Hev. It's someone what understandable. He hasn't release any new material in years. The sound that he was known for is classic, but most people only care about what's current. Personally, I've played his older tracks from time to time over the years, but then again - that's what I'm known for doing. In saying that, I also realized that EVERYONE is going to do a tribute set/ show... me included. I think it's only fitting that those of us who are fans, DJ's, lovers of Hip-Hop take a moment and look back at what was. It was a much better time (in my opinion).

Lyrical content was "better". Hev was known for his clean flow, lack of cursing, positive/ uplifting lyrics concerning women, and being what he claimed in his rhymes - an all around good guy. He, like Will Smith ... sorry The Fresh Prince/ Kid n' Play/ and the like, made Hip-Hop "safe" for people to get into. With that said, thank you Heavy D for your contribution to Hip-Hop and urban/ Hip-Hop Culture (yeah you made that Hype in Living Colour intro too!). You shall be missed, but not forgotten.

Now, to my people... we have a 40-45 minute set of Heavy D to open the show off. Much thanks for those who suggested tracks for this. I didn't play some things, and played things others wouldn't. Enjoy this... It's a great look back. From there we move into some New Jack swing/ Funk/ Freestyle and break out some new Amy Winehouse & Nas, NEW DRAKE (the ALBUM IS NUTS!!! - buy it twice when it's released on the 15th... it's that good) and some other bits here and there.

Shouts to: Mr. Lost, May, "DataBurst", JC, Munchkin, Dug E Dug, my brother Rapheal, and the rest of the "family".

See you in a few with another show.

Uno.

Runtime: Roughly 90 minutes.
Track Listing:
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*** Heavy D Tribute Set ***

01. Heavy D & The Boyz - Blue Funk
02. Heavy D & The Boyz - Girls They Love Me
03. Heavy D & The Boyz - Black Coffee
04. Heavy D & The Boyz - Who's The Man?
05. Heavy D & The Boyz - Got Me Waiting
06. Heavy D & The Boyz feat K Ci & Jo Jo - Peaceful Journey
07. Heavy D & The Boyz - The Overweight Lover's In The House
08. Heavy D & The Boyz - Truthful
09. Heavy D & The Boyz - Moneyearnin Mount Vernon (Instrumental) (1988)
10. Heavy D & The Boyz - Big Daddy [Remix]
11. Heavy D & The Boyz - Nuttin But Love
12. Heavy D & The Boyz - Mr. Big Stuff
13. Heavy D & The Boyz feat. Al B. Sure - Somebody For Me
14. Heavy D - Is it Good to You
15. Heavy D - Sister Sister
16. Janet Jackson & Heavy D - Alright (12-inch R&B Mix)

*** Heavy D Tribute Set End ***

17. Vanessa Williams - The Right
18. Alexander O'Neal - Fake
19. Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison
20. Bobby Brown - Get Away
21. Guy - Groove Me
22. Central Line - Walking Into Sunshine (Larry Levan Mix)
23. Gwen Guthrie - It should have been you (Larry Levan Mix)
24. Zap & Roger - Doo Wa Ditty
25. Stevie Wonder - She's A Bad Mama Jama
26. Fonda Rae - Touch Me All Night Long
27. George Clinton - Not Just Knee Deep (Extended)
28. Change - Glow Of Love
29. Connie - Funky Little Beat
30. Shannon - Give Me Tonight (Ligosa Mix)
31. The Cover Girls - Catch Me I'm Falling
32. Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam - I Wonder If I Take You Home
33. Noel - Silent Morning (12" Club Mix)
34. Cover Girls - Let Me Be The One
35. Platinum Pied Pipers - Fever (Featuring Zeno)
36. Frank Ocean - lovecrimes
37. Amy Winehouse feat. Nas - Like Smoke
38. Drake - Over My Dead Body
39. Jay Dee - Rico Suave Bossa Nova

HELLO PEOPLE!

I've been away for a long time... I'm back. In short, rather than attempt to upload a weekly, I'm going to try to do a monthly for the first bit and then work my way back to a bi weekly - life permitting.

With that said, this is my first time on the decks in at least 7 months - possibly longer. I gotta say, it isn't too bad - and office friendly . Running through some R&B (90s) classics with a few recent jams dashed in then back to some sweet, soul lifting House music.

Shouts to Shook, May, Karen, Chrissy, Mr. Lost, Buddha, DarthMones, Dug_E_Dugg, and anyone else that's been in my a*s for new joints.

Enjoy - It's been a rough journey to get back here, but I'm back. Enjoy. Tracklisting will be added later... just download and enjoy. Till the next show.

Uno.