Mount Vernon recently paid tribute to Hip-Hop legend Heavy D. The late rapper/producer/actor was honored with a sculpture by local New York artist Eto Otitigbe, which was unveiled on Thursday (April 27) by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.

Heavy D was born in Jamaica in 1967 but moved to Mount Vernon as a child, and was raised there. The sculpture, "Peaceful Journey," is named after his third album, released in 1990, which featured hits including "Now That We Found Love" and "Is It Good to You." At the time of its release, the album was Heavy D and The Boyz's most successful project to date, though it was shaped by the tragic death of Troy Dixon aka Trouble T. Roy.

“The sounds coming out of Mount Vernon with Heavy D, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth were really unique,” said artist Eto Otitigbe, in a 2020 interview when the sculpture was announced. “It was through his (Heavy D’s) music that I personally had a connection to Mount Vernon. This sculpture offers me a chance to pay tribute to his music and hip-hop culture, all of which had an immense influence on me as I navigated my youth."

Per LoHud, The Vermont marble and steel sculpture was selected as one of 50 through an open competitive process conducted by ArtsWestchester.

"Mount Vernon has a rich history of arts and culture. With this being the 50th anniversary of hip hop, nothing could be more appropriate than to honor this beautiful, beautiful sculpture of Heavy D," said Mount Vernon mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, noting Heavy D's contributions to Mount Vernon, including many fundraisers, and also acknowledging Heavy D's family in attendance. "Heavy D, for me, wasn't just an artist. He was my classmate. He was my friend. He was my party partner.”