As far as documentaries go, this one is very good, but I've seen better. With that being said, I give this 10 stars, not just because I'm a Heavy D fan, but because of what he stood for. I didn't know much about him before watching this. What I did know was the rap scene at the time, including most of his rap tracks. In an era when Gangsta Rap was coming on strong (e.g. NWA), Heavy D stood directly against all of what thug-rap centers itself around (guns, drugs, violence, and disrespecting women). And, he did it with a flow that was uniquely his and way better than the cheesy, intro rap that was fading away (e.g. Run-DMC) ... oh, and he could move, especially for a big guy.... smooth. As I write this, I'm reminded of a lyric which kinda sums up this stance. "Mister, mister, do you have a dime? You see, I'm hungry and I'd rather be a beggar than do crime." You don't hear gansta rap promoting these thoughts. They seem perfectly content disrespecting everything but themselves, giving the majority of the world nothing but a confused and hateful attitude toward them. When Hev passed away, I defended him on a public forum where someone attacked him simply because he was a rapper. Say what you will about rap, but any dark industry can have a shining light, a beacon, that represents all that is good...and Heavy D was exactly that. Watch this documentary for a good insight, into a great soul. Having listened to all of his songs (many, many times), I was not surprised by any of the sentiment that was shared about him because his personality comes through in his music. Look at the cast! Every one of them has something profoundly positive to say about him. And yes, I was inspired. To those fans that chose to read this far, I leave you with another lyric, one I sing in my head when I think about him, "You're - on my mind. And I wish you a peaceful journey. Brother, I hope you hear me."
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews