Remember this guy?

Remember this guy? · 07:23 PM

http://www.jetmag.com/assembled/splash.html
http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5012

Rapper Heavy D may be 160 pounds smaller, but he's still a heavyweight on talent.

Heavy or "Hev" is being lauded for his spellbinding portrayal of a traumatized Vietnam veteran in the play Medal of Honor Rag. "Stage is really like a whole new muscle," Heavy told JET. "It's the most mentally fatiguing thing. When I leave rehearsals, I feel like I've run 10 miles." JET talks more with Heavy D about shedding the weight to improve his acting prospects and what's next for the rap superstar-turned-thespian.

Hev said it was an honor landing on the cover of the influential African-American lifestyle weekly, which has been in publication since 1951.

“It's an honor for me to be on the cover of Jet Magazine. I remember growing up and being inspired by all the great people of color gracing the cover,” Hev told AllHipHop.com. “To be a part of that legacy is a special thing for me.”

“Medal of Honor Rag” kicked off in June of 2005 and is executive produced by fellow rapper Will Smith. The performances are sold out and will come to a close Nov. 6 at the Egyptian Arena Theater in Los Angeles, California.

The play centers on a clinically depressed Vietnam veteran named Dale Jackson and his relationship with a New York psychiatrist.

Such rappers as Nas, Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Eve, Mary J. Blige, Laurence Fishburne and others have attended the critically acclaimed play.

Organizers said 100% of the proceeds from the play will be donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In related news, Hev is preparing to release his new untitled album through a recently inked deal with RMD Entertainment/Bungalo Records.

The album boasts production from Sean “Diddy” Combs, Pharrell Williams and Hev himself.

"This is the type of project we were looking for to effectively brand the RMD name in the Hip Hop market place,” said RMD President Giorgio Costonis. “It is a project from an established artist that solidifies our relationship with Bungalo Records and makes a very strong statement to Universal Music and Video Distribution that RMD Entertainment and Bungalo Records are going to be bringing high profile projects to the table now and in the future."

No release date was available for the album as of press time.