Celeb News » Heavy D Died Hours After Paying Tribute To Joe Frazier

Heavy D, the American hip-hop star who has died aged 44, paid tribute to deceased boxing legend Joe Frazier on Twitter, just hours before his own death this week. News of the rapper's passing has stunned the music industry, with the likes of P Diddy and Mc Hammer first to pay their respects.

Although the rapper was said to be struggling with a minor illness, his passing was entirely unexpected. Website Tmz.com report how designer Adam Mills found Heavy leaning against a railing in his apartment building after he had struggled to climb a flight of stairs. Mills recalled how the singer was saying "I can't breathe, I can't breathe", before the emergency services arrived. Just hours before his death, Heavy told Twitter followers to "Be Inspired", which turned out to be his very last post on the social networking site. Earlier, he had acknowledged the death of boxer Joe Frazier, saying, "Smokin Joe Frazier..Rip.. truly one of the best heavyweight champs that ever lived.. Gods Speed,Mr Frazier" -within a matter of hours Heavy was dead.

The self-proclaimed "overweight lover" of hip hop, Heavy D found fame with his band The Boyz and scored hits such as 'Now That We Found Love' in 1991.He continued to enjoy commercial success before making the foray into acting - he is currently starring in Brett Ratner's comedy 'Tower Heist', with Ben Stiller and EDDIE MURPHY.