Big L, born Lamont Coleman, was raised in a dangerous Harlem neighborhood, 139th Street and Lennox Avenue to be exact. Big L was faced with the temptation\\\'s of the streets. Instead of living the street life he chose rap as a way out. His first big hit was \\\"Yes You May (Remix)\\\" in 92, here is where he began his reputation for being an outstanding lyricist.
In 1993 he got a deal with Columbia Records, signed and then released one of the dopest records of the underground hip hop scene. It was promo-only labeled \\\"Devil\\\'s Son.\\\" Due to vulgar lyrics, such as \\\"I pistol whip the priest every Sunday,\\\" the track was quickly banned from the radio. L\\\'s hardcore lyrics were geared more towards hip hop heads than the mainstream. Later, in 95 he released his debut album \\\"Lifestylz Ov Da Poor & Dangerous.\\\" The album, like most talented underground material, was ignored by the mainstream but praised by critics and given 4 mics. This album was a lyrical masterpiece, and is one of my personal favorites. Featured on the album, were current hip hop bigwigs such as Jay-Z, and Cam\\\'ron. Shortly thereafter, L was dropped from Columbia.
But that didn\\\'t slow down L one bit, he was steadily on the rise in the hip hop game. Alongside fellow NY rappers Show, AG, Buckwild, Lord Finess, Fat Joe, OC, and Diamond, they formed the group D.I.T.C. (Diggin\\\' In The Crates). They began being featured on mixtapes everywhere, an oppertunity for L to demonstrate his lyrical ability on a whole new plato. He toured Amsterdam, Japan, and all over the world showed everyone that Big L and D.I.T.C. were cetainly overdue to blow up. Big L began releasing some of his best material. He recorded \\\"Ebonics\\\" an extremely clever track where he brokedown street slang for the listener. This single was blowing up, and Big L was getting more and more attention from the mainstream. Unfortunately his success was cut short. On the tragic night of February 15, 1999 Big L was shot and murdered in Harlem. He had been shot 7 times in his head and chest.
In late 2000 Big L\\\'s sophmore album \\\"The Big Picture\\\" was released. For the first time, his album went gold. Needless to say, this album got more rotations than any of his previous material, it is a shame Big L never got to live to see his success. Half of this album had been completed before his fatal encounter, and the other afterwards. The album includes collaberations with Guru, D.I.T.C. and legends such as Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap as well as the late Tupac Shakur.
Even though Big L is no longer with us his clever punchlines, intelligent lyrics, catchy metaphors and his mindblowing freestyling ability will carry on his name and legacy through his music forever.
R.I.P. Lamont Coleman AKA Big L. |
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