Diddy to pay tribute to Heavy D at funeral

Rap mogul Diddy will be speaking at rapper Heavy D's private funeral in New York on Friday.

Heavy D, who rose to fame in the 1990s with hits such as "Now That We Found Love," died at the age of 44 at a Beverly Hills hospital after collapsing outside his home on Tuesday, November 8. The cause of death has not been announced.

Diddy said that's he's heartbroken over the passing of his friend.

"He was a wonderful human being, who inspired and paved the way for a Hip Hop generation. We were like brothers - I will miss him more than words can express," he said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

Heavy D's family also released a statement about his death.

"Though Hev will most notably be remembered for his work both behind-the-scenes and in the forefront, he will always be remembered by us as a generous soul who remained humble and unselfish till his final days," the family said.

According to RememberHeavyD.com, a public wake will be held on Thursday, November 17, at Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon New York. The private funeral will be held the next day. The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to speak at the service.

Heavy D was born as Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica and was raised in New York. He began his music career as a young adult and formed a hip hop group called "Heavy D & the Boyz."

The rapper released his first solo album, "Waterbed Hev," in 1997. His fourth, "Love Opus," hit stores in September. A month later, Heavy D performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards in October 2011, marking his final major televised performance and his first live one in some 15 years.

BET announced Monday that the Soul Train Music Awards in Atlanta will pay tribute to Heavy D. Kurtis Blow, Naughty by Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Eddie F, Whodini and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic will be taking part in the event.

Heavy D also worked as an actor. He starred on the television drama "Boston Public" between 2000 and 2003 and also appeared on "The Tracy Morgan Show." He played Sid Shapiro on the FOX series "Bones" and recently guest starred as a manager of an NBA player on the NBC show "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit."

The rapper also appears in the new comedy film "Tower Heist" as a courthouse guard.