The popular MC, real name Dwight Arrington Myers, was taken to an LA hospital at around noon on Tuesday, after he was found unconscious at his home. He was pronounced dead at 1pm.
The star rose to fame in the late 80s with his group Heavy D & the Boyz after they released their debut album, Living Large.
They went onto record the theme tune for US TV show Living Color before Heavy D went solo.
He release seven studio albums throughout his career, with hits including Got Me Waiting and Big Daddy.
He featured on Michael Jackson's song Jam and was among the stars who paid tribute to the late pop icon at the Michael Jackson Forever concert in Wales in October. The rapper also collaborated with the King of Pop's sister Janet on her hit singer Alright.
La Toya Jackson also paid tribute to the star, telling TMZ.com his death is a 'shocking and a tragic loss.'
She adds: ""I just performed with Heavy D at the Forever Michael tribute concert and he was a friend to Michael and a friend to me... We have lost a great person and terrific performer."
Heavy D also landed roles in hit films like Eddy Murphy's 1999 comedy Life and 2006's dance film Step Up. He reunited with Murphy for a cameo in his new film Tower Heist.
No further details of his death were available as WENN went to press.
Tagged in Heavy D