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{{Infobox person |
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{{Infobox person |
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| name = Big L |
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| image_size = 200 |
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| caption = Big L in 1994 |
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| birth_name = Lamont Coleman |
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| birth_name = |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1974|5|30}} |
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| birth_place = ], U.S. |
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| death_date = {{death date and age|1999|2|15|1974|5|30}} |
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| death_place = New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| death_cause = Murder by ] |
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| other_names = Corleone |
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| other_names = |
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| nationality = American |
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| nationality = |
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| occupation = {{flatlist| |
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| occupation = |
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* Rapper |
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* songwriter |
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}} |
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}} |
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| years_active = 1992–1999 |
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| module = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians --> |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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}} |
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| background = solo_singer <!-- mandatory format: please do not change or remove --> |
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| instrument = Vocals |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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* Flamboyant |
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| associated_acts = {{flatlist| |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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| website = {{URL|http://biglonline.com/}} |
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'''Lamont Coleman''' (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), known professionally as '''Big L''', was an American ]. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most lyrical rappers of all time, and is known for helping to pioneer ]. |
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Emerging from ] in the early to mid-1990s, Coleman became well known amongst ] fans for his freestyling ability, and was eventually signed to ], where he released his debut album, '']'' in 1995 and is now considered by many fans as a classic album. On February 15, 1999, Coleman was shot nine times and killed by an unknown assailant in a ] in his hometown of Harlem. |
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Noted for his use of wordplay, multiple writers at ], ] and ] have praised Coleman for his lyrical ability,<ref>https://genius.com/discussions/8591-The-source-top-50-lyricists-magazine-scans</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/10-Great-Rappers-Who-Died-Too-Young.htm#showall|title=10 Great Rappers Who Died Too Young|author=Henry Adaso|work=About.com Entertainment}}</ref> and he has also been described as "one of the most auspicious storytellers in hip hop history."<ref name=":0" /> Regarding Coleman's legacy, ] said on ], “He scared me to death. When I heard that on tape, I was scared to death. I said, ’Yo, it’s no way I can compete if this is what I gotta compete with.'”<ref name="mtv.com" /> |
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==Early life== |
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Lamont Coleman was born in ], New York City, on May 30, 1974,<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-l-p144340 | title=Big L > Overview | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 5, 2011}}</ref> the third and youngest child of Gilda Terry (d. 2008<ref name="mother's death">{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6406/title.big-ls-mother-passes-away | title=Big L's Mother Passes Away | work=HipHop DX | publisher=Cheri Media Group | accessdate=November 6, 2011 | date=February 18, 2008 | last=Paine | first=Jake}}</ref>) and Charles Davis.<ref name="timeline" /> Davis left the family while Coleman was a child.<ref name="finesse-interview">{{Cite web | last=Arnold | first=Paul | date=July 12, 2012 | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11686/title.lord-finesse-says-there-will-never-be-another-big-l-album | title=Lord Finesse Says There Will 'Never' Be Another Big L Album | work=HipHop DX | publisher=Cheri Media Group | accessdate=February 9, 2012}}</ref> His two older siblings, Donald Coleman and Leroy Phinazee (d.2002<ref name="mother's death" />), were the children of Gilda and a man named Mr. Phinazee.<ref name="timeline" /> Coleman received the nicknames "Little L" and "'mont 'mont" as a child.<ref name="herald">{{Cite news | last=Ovalle | first=David | title=Rapper, 23, Was on the Verge of Stardom When He Was Gunned Down in Harlem | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F7BD239CF78452F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | newspaper=] | date=December 2, 2002 | page=1E}}</ref><ref name="don-phinazee-interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/interviews/131904-donald-phinazee-on-the-life-of-big-l | title=Donald Phinazee on the life of Big L | date=November 29, 2010 | last=Johnson | first=Brett | publisher=Crave Online}}</ref> At the age of 12, Coleman became a big hip hop fan and started ] with other people in his neighborhood.<ref name="timeline" /><ref name="don-phinazee-interview" /> He founded a group known as Three the Hard Way in 1990, but it was quickly broken up due to a lack of enthusiasm amongst the members.<ref name="dx-remember">{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/editorials/id.722/title.remembering-lamont-big-l-coleman | title=Remembering Lamont 'Big L' Coleman | publisher=HipHop DX | date=February 15, 2007 | last=Udoh | first=Meka | accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref> It consisted of Coleman, Doc Reem, and Rodney.<ref name="Don Q&A PT 2">{{cite web | url=http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=2401 | title=Donald Phinazee's Q&A – Part Two! | work=Big L Online | date=November 20, 2009 | author=Soobax | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130118005121/http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=2401 | archivedate=January 18, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> No projects were released, and after Rodney left, the group was renamed Two Hard Motherfuckers.<ref name="Don Q&A PT 2" /> Around this time, people started to refer to Coleman as "Big L".<ref name="timeline">{{cite web | url=http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=766 | title=Lamont 'Big L' Coleman Timeline | publisher=Big L Online | accessdate=September 28, 2011 | date=November 7, 2008 | author=The Big Sleep | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502115056/http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=766 | archivedate=May 2, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In the summer of 1990, Coleman met ] at an autograph session in a record shop on 125th Street.<ref name="1995 Source Interview" /><ref name="Rawkus Bio" /> After he did a freestyle, Finesse and Coleman exchanged numbers.<ref name="Rawkus Bio">{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331034930/http://www.rawkus.com/artist_bigl.html | archivedate=March 31, 2001 | title=Big L: Bio | publisher=]| url=http://www.rawkus.com/artist_bigl.html}}</ref> |
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Coleman attended ].<ref name="timeline" /> While in high school, Coleman freestyle battled in his hometown; in his last interview, he stated, "in the beginning, all I ever saw me doing was battling everybody on the street corners, rhyming in the hallways, beating on the wall, rhyming to my friends. Every now and then, a house party, grab the mic, a block party, grab the mic."<ref name="Last-Interview">{{Cite interview |last=Coleman |first=Lamont |subjectlink= |interviewer= |title=Big L's last interview (Oxygen FM in Amsterdam '98)|location=Amsterdam |date=1998 |work=Oxygen FM}}</ref> He graduated in 1992.<ref name="timeline" /> Coleman began writing rhymes in 1990.<ref name="MTV YO! 1995">{{Cite episode | title=Yo! MTV Raps | network=] | airdate=1995}}</ref> |
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==Musical career== |
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===1991–1993: First recordings and record deal=== |
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In 1991, he recorded various demos, some of which were featured on his debut album ], he also founded the Harlem rap group ] (COC) with ] (Cam'ron), ] (Ma$e), Bloodshed and ].<ref name="dx-remember" /><ref name="Hess2010-40">] (2010), p. 40</ref> On February 11, Coleman appeared on '']'' with Lord Finesse to help promote Finesse's studio album '']''.<ref name="YO! MTV 1991">{{Cite show | title=Yo! MTV Raps | network=] | airdate=February 11, 1991}}</ref> Coleman's first professional appearance came on "Yes You May (Remix)", the ] of "Party Over Here" (1992) by Lord Finesse,<ref name="Hess2010-40" /> and his first album appearance was on "Represent" off of ]'s '']'' (1992).<ref name="1995 Source Interview">{{Cite journal | journal=] | date=April 1995 | issue=67 | page=36 | last=Daniel | first=Jamila | title=Uptown Renaissance: Big L | issn=1063-2085}}</ref> In that same year, he won an amateur freestyle battle, which consisted of about 2,000 contestants and held by Nubian Productions.<ref name="Doc Trailer 1" /> In 1992, Coleman signed to ].<ref name="dx-remember" /> Around this time, L joined Lord Finesse's Bronx-based hip hop collective ] (DITC) which consisted of Lord Finesse, ], ], ], ], ], and ] |
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Sometime in 1993, Coleman released his first promotional single, "Devil Son", and claimed it was the first ] single released.<ref name="1995 Source Interview" /> He said he wrote the song because "I've always been a fan of horror flicks. Plus the things I see in Harlem are very scary. So I just put it all together in a rhyme."<ref name="1995 Source Interview" /> On February 18, 1993, Coleman performed live at the Uptown Lord Finesse Birthday Bash at the 2,000 Club, which included other performances from Fat Joe, ], and Diamond D.<ref name="timeline" /> |
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===1994–1995: ''Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous''=== |
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In 1994, he released his second promotional single "Clinic". On July 11, 1994, Coleman released the radio edit of "]", and three months later the video was released.<ref name="timeline" /> In 1995, the video for the single "No Endz, No Skinz" debuted, which was directed by Brian Luvar.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/big-l/no-endz-no-skinz/USSM20401475?source=ap | title=No Endz, No Skinz – Big L | publisher=] | accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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His debut studio album, '']'', was released in March 1995. The album debuted at number 149 on the ]<ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wsEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=Billboard 200 | journal=] | publisher=] | issn=0006-2510 | volume=107 | issue=15 | page=78 | date=April 15, 1995 }}</ref> and number 22 on ].<ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wsEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=Billboard Top R&B Albums | journal=] | publisher=] | issn=0006-2510 | volume=107 | issue=15 | page=22 | date=April 15, 1995 }}</ref> ''Lifestylez'' would go on to sell over 200,000 copies as of 2000.<ref name="vh1-street buzz" /> Three singles were released from the album; the first two, "]" and "]", reached the top twenty-five of '']''{{'}}s ] and the third "]" did not chart.<ref>{{Cite web | last=Krishnamurthy | first=Sowmya | title=Hip-Hop Remembers Big L on the Anniversary of His Death | url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/02/15/big-l-anniversary-hip-hop-remembers/ | work='']'' | publisher=] | date=February 15, 2012 | accessdate=February 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Allmusic singles">. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved September 10, 2011.</ref> Even though the album received a three-star rating from ], it was an AMG Album Pick.<ref name="Lifestylez Review">{{cite web | url=http://allmusic.com/album/lifestylez-ov-da-poor-and-dangerous-r217577/review | title=''Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous'' – Big L > Review | last=DiBella | first=M.F | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=October 31, 2011}}</ref> |
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===1996: Released from Columbia=== |
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In 1996, Coleman was dropped from Columbia mainly because of the dispute between Coleman's rapping style and the production from Columbia.<ref name="Picture Review">{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-big-picture-r489942/review | title=''The Big Picture'' – Big L > Review | last=DiBella | first=M.F | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=October 31, 2011}}</ref> He stated "I was there with a bunch of strangers that didn't really know my music."<ref name="crate">{{Cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Mike | year=1998 | title=The Crate & The Good | journal=] | issn=1465-4407}}</ref> |
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===1997: Second album=== |
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In 1997, he started working on his second studio album, '']''.<ref name="allhiphop10">{{Cite web | last=Salaam | first=Ismael | date=February 15, 2009 | url=http://allhiphop.com/2009/02/15/rapper-big-l-remembered-10-years-later/ | title=Rapper Big L Remembered 10 Years Later | work='']'' | accessdate=February 11, 2012}}</ref> COC folded when Bloodshed died in a car accident on March 2, 1997.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.hot97.com/Channels/newonhot/Story.aspx?id=1390667 | title=About Cam'ron: | publisher=Hot 97FM | accessdate=August 3, 2012}}</ref> DITC appeared in a July issue ''On The Go Magazine''.<ref name="timeline" /> Coleman appeared on ]'s single "Dangerous" for O.C.'s second album '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/dangerous-t1633810 | title=Dangerous: O.C. | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 9, 2011}}</ref> In November, he was the opening act for O.C.'s European Jewlez Tour.<ref name="timeline" /> |
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===1998: Flamboyant Entertainment=== |
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Sometime in 1998, Coleman formed his own ], Flamboyant Entertainment.<ref name="riverfront">{{Cite news | last=Park | first=April | date=September 13, 2000 | url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2000-09-13/music/big-l/ | title=Big L: ''The Big Picture'' (Rawkus/Flamboyant) | newspaper=] | accessdate=February 5, 2012}}</ref> According to '']'', it was "planned to distribute the kind of hip-hop that sold without top 40 samples or r&b hooks."<ref name="Jasper1999-2">] (1999), p. 2</ref> He released the single "Ebonics" in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1122625/20000731/index.jhtml |last=Berry |first=Jahna |date=July 31, 2000 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/65GPAIxLd?url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1122625/20000731/index.jhtml |archivedate=February 7, 2012 |title=Big L's Second Album Due, More Than A Year After His Death |work=] |publisher=] |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> The song was based on "]", and ''The Source'' called it one of the top five independent singles of the year.<ref name="Rawkus Bio" /> DITC released their first single, "Dignified Soldiers", that year.<ref name="allmusic" /> |
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Coleman caught the eye of ], the CEO of ], after the release of "Ebonics". Dash wanted to sign Lamont to Roc-A-Fella, but Coleman wanted his crew to sign<ref name="Don Tube Interview" /><ref name="Hess2010-41">] (2010), p. 41</ref> On February 8, 1999, Coleman, ], C-Town, and ] started the process to sign with ] as a group called "The Wolfpack".<ref name="timeline" /><ref name="McGruff Video Interview">{{Cite interview | subject=Herb McGruff | subjectlink=McGruff (rapper) | interviewer=Mikey T | date=July 25, 2010 | title=Herb McGruff Jay Z & Big L Deal | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6F0-i6sBAY&feature=fvwrel | work='']''}}</ref> |
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==Death== |
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On February 15, 1999, Big L was killed at 45 West 139th Street in his native Harlem after being shot nine times in the face and chest in a ].<ref>{{Cite web | last=Romano | first=Will | url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/871586/20000504/index.jhtml | title=Slain Rapper Big L's Posthumous Album Due | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=February 8, 2012 | date=May 4, 2000 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="MTV death">{{Cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425010/fat-joe-associate-big-l-dead-at-22.jhtml | title=Fat Joe Associate Big L Dead at 22 | work='']'' | publisher=] | accessdate=November 2, 2011 | date=February 17, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2381387.stm | title=Violence and Hip Hop | publisher=BBC News | date=October 31, 2002 | accessdate=November 2, 2011}}</ref> Gerard Woodley, one of Big L's childhood friends, was arrested three months later for the crime.<ref name="Woodley MTV">{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425709/suspect-arrested-big-l-shooting.jhtml | title=Suspect Arrested in Big L Shooting | work='']'' | publisher=] | date=May 21, 1999 | accessdate=November 2, 2011}}</ref> "It's a good possibility it was retaliation for something Big L's brother did, or Woodley believed he had done," said a spokesperson for the ].<ref>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321124712/http://rollingstone.com/artists/bigl/articles/story/5921403/arrest_made_in_big_l_case | archivedate=March 21, 2009 | title=Arrest Made in Big L Case | date=May 17, 1999 | work=]| url=http://rollingstone.com/artists/bigl/articles/story/5921403/arrest_made_in_big_l_case }}</ref> Woodley was later controversially released, and the murder case remains unsolved.<ref name="Time Bio">{{Cite web | url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2092656_2092485_2092478,00.html | title=Big L – Top 10 Unsolved Hip-Hop Murders | publisher=] | accessdate=November 13, 2011 | date=September 13, 2011 | last=Gray | first=Madison}}</ref> |
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Big L is buried at ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16954854|title=Lamont 'Big L' "Big L" Coleman (1974 - 1999)-Find A Grave Memorial|publisher=|accessdate= 22 January 2016}}</ref> |
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On June 24, 2016 at 139th St. and Lenox Avenue, Woodley, 46, was shot in the head and later died at Harlem Hospital.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/man-52-shot-death-brooklyn-dispute-dice-game-article-1.2686804| title = Man suspected of killing hip-hop star Big L in 1999 shot, killed in Harlem; one of two men gunned down Thursday | last =Sommerfeldt| first =Chris| publisher = New York Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.39377/title.big-ls-alleged-killer-murdered-in-harlem |title=Big L's Alleged Killer Murdered In Harlem |date=June 25, 2016 |accessdate=November 9, 2016 |last=Clark |first=Trent |website=HipHopDX}}</ref> |
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==Posthumous career== |
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The tracks "Get Yours", "Way of Life", and "Shyheim's Manchild" ] "Furious Anger" were released as singles in 1999 for DITC's ] (2000) on ].<ref name="timeline" /><ref name="DITC album review">{{cite web | url=http://allmusic.com/album/ditc-r465103/review | title=''D.I.T.C.'' – D.I.T.C. > Overview | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 2, 2011}}</ref> The album peaked at number 31 on ] and number 141 on the ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://allmusic.com/album/ditc-r465103/charts-awards | title=''D.I.T.C.'' – D.I.T.C. > Charts @ Awards > ''Billboard'' Albums | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 5, 2011}}</ref> Coleman's first posthumous single was "Flamboyant" b/w "On The Mic", which was released on May 30, 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425708/big-ls-first-posthumous-single-arrives.jhtml | title=Big L's First Posthumous Single Arrives | last=Gill | first=John | date=May 3, 2000 | accessdate=November 5, 2011 | work='']'' | publisher=]}}</ref> The single peaked at number thirty-nine on the ''Billboard'' ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://api.billboard.com/apisvc/chart/v1/list?artist=big_l&song=flamboyant&sdate=2000-09-16&edate=2000-09-17&api_key=bvk4re5h37dzvx87h7rf5dqz |title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=] |publisher=] |format=XML |accessdate=November 7, 2011 |date=September 16, 2000 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422121723/http://api.billboard.com/apisvc/chart/v1/list?artist=big_l&song=flamboyant&sdate=2000-09-16&edate=2000-09-17&api_key=bvk4re5h37dzvx87h7rf5dqz |archivedate=April 22, 2012 |df= }}</ref> and topped the ],<ref name="Allmusic singles" /> making it Coleman's first and only number-one single. |
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Coleman's second and final studio album, '']'', was released in August 1, 2000, and featured ], ], ] of ], ], and ] among others. ''The Big Picture'' was put together by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Entertainment, Rich King. It contains songs that he had recorded and ] recordings that were never used, completed by producers and guest emceess that Coleman respected or had worked with previously.<ref name="timeline" /> ''The Big Picture'' debuted at number thirteen on the ] 200, number two on ], and sold 72,549 copies.<ref name="vh1-street buzz">{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1122983/20000810/big_l.jhtml |title=Street Buzz, Duets Fuel Sales of Big L's ''The Big Picture'' |work=] |publisher=] |accessdate=October 30, 2011 |date=August 11, 2000 |last=Berry |first=Jahna |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/62oZntdgu?url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1122983/20000810/big_l.jhtml |archivedate=October 30, 2011 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> The album was ] a month later for shipments of 500,000 copies by the RIAA.<ref name="picture-cert">{{Cite certification | region=United States | date=October 11, 2000 | accessdate=September 29, 2011 | type=album | title=The Big Picture | artist=Big L}}</ref> ''The Big Picture'' was the only music by Big L to appear on a music chart outside of the United States, peaking at number 122 on the ].<ref>{{Cite web | last=Zywietz | first=Tobias | date=May 7, 2011 | url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_B.HTM | title=Chart Log UK: Darren B – David Byrne | publisher=Zobbel.de | accessdate=April 8, 2012}}</ref> |
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A compilation album containing COC songs entitled '']'' was released in 2003. The next posthumous album released was '']'', which was released on August 31, 2010.<ref name="Lenox DX">{{Cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11846/title.tuesday-rap-release-dates-kanye-west-big-l-gucci-mane-black-milk | title=Tuesday Rap Release Dates: Kanye West, Big L, Gucci Mane, Black Milk | work=HipHop DX | publisher=Cheri Media Group | date=August 3, 2010 | last=Hanna | first=Mitchell | accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> It contained previously unreleased and rare tracks.<ref name="Lenox DX" /> It was released by Rich King on Flamboyant Entertainment.<ref name="139 Overview">{{Cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/139--lenox-r1967694 | title=''139 & Lenox'' > Overview | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 21, 2011}}</ref> The next album to follow was '']'' (2010), which peaked at number 73 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charts & Awards: Big L|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/big-l-p144340/charts-awards/billboard-albums|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=April 29, 2011}}</ref> Coleman's next release was '']'' (2011),<ref name="Danger DX">{{cite web|last=Vasquez|first=Andres|title=Big L - The Danger Zone|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1692/title.big-l--the-danger-zone|work=HipHop DX | publisher=Cheri Media Group|accessdate=June 5, 2011|date=June 3, 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608092157/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1692/title.big-l--the-danger-zone| archivedate=June 8, 2011<!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> and an album called ''L Corleone'' was released on February 14, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://itunes.apple.com/preorder/l-corleone/id494578821?v0=9988&affId=1927918&ign-mpt=uo%3D1 | title=''L Corleone'' by Big L | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=January 28, 2012}}</ref> |
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==Legacy and influence== |
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Henry Adaso, a music journalist for ], called him the twenty-third best MC of 1987 to 2007, claiming " one of the most auspicious storytellers in hip hop history."<ref name=":0">Adaso, Henry. . About.com. Retrieved August 27, 2011</ref> HipHop DX called Coleman "the most underrated lyricist ever".<ref name="dx-remember" /> |
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Many tributes have been given to Coleman. The first was by Lord Finesse and the other members of DITC on March 6, 1999 at the Tramps.<ref name="timeline" /> ''The Source'' has done multiple tributes to him: first in July 2000<ref>{{Cite journal | title=The Tragic Story of an 11 Year Old Killer, Our Tribute to Big L | last=Rodriquez | first=Carlito | journal=] | date=July 2000 | issn=1063-2085 | issue=130}}</ref> followed by March 2002.<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Rodriquez | first=Carlito | title=The Greatest MC, Albums and Moments | journal=] | issue=150 | date=March 2002 | page=118 | issn=1063-2085}}</ref> '']'' did a tribute to Lamont in March 2003.<ref name="xxl tribute">{{Cite journal | title=Big L, Book of Rhymes, Vol. 2 | date=March 2003 | journal=] | publisher=Harris Publications | volume=7 | issue=45}}</ref> On February 16, 2005, at SOB's restaurant and nightclub in Manhattan, held a commemoration for him.<ref name="SOBS">{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204033836/http://sobs.com/urban/0216.htm | archivedate=February 4, 2005 | title=Commemorating the Life of the Legendary 'Big L{{'-}} | publisher=SOB's| url=http://sobs.com/urban/0216.htm}}</ref> It included special guests such as DITC, Herb McGruff, and Kid Capri.<ref name="SOBS" /> All the money earned went to his estate.<ref name="SOBS" /> In 2004, Eminem made a tribute to him in his music video for his single, ''].'' ] had stated in an interview with ], “We were about to sign him right before he passed away. We were about to sign him to Roc-a-Fella. It was a done deal…I think he was very talented…I think he had the ability to write big, and big choruses.”<ref name="mtv.com">http://www.mtv.com/news/1835250/big-l-40th-birthday-legacy-jay-z-mac-miller/</ref> Rapper ] also said on MTV, “He scared me to death. When I heard that on tape, I was scared to death. I said, ’Yo, it’s no way I can compete if this is what I gotta compete with.'”<ref name="mtv.com"/> |
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===Style=== |
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{{Listen |
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| filename = Ebonics-BigL.ogg |
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| title = "Ebonics" |
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| description = In "Ebonics", one of Coleman's best-known tracks, he raps about the slang used in Harlem while he was growing up. |
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}} |
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Coleman is often credited in helping to create the ] genre of hip hop with his 1992 song "Devil Son."<ref name="1995 Source Interview" /> However, not all his songs fall into this genre, for example, in the song "Street Struck" Coleman discusses the difficulties of growing up in the ghetto and describes the consequences of living a life of crime.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/street-struck-lyrics-big-l.html | title=Big L – Street Struck Lyrics | work=''MetroLyrics.com'' | publisher=] | accessdate=November 10, 2011}}</ref> Idris Goodwin of '']'' wrote that " impressive command of the English language", with his song "Ebonics" being the best example of this.<ref name="globe">{{Cite news | last=Goodwin | first=Idris | date=December 7, 2010 | url=http://articles.boston.com/2010-12-07/ae/29307215_1_rap-critics-jay-z-norton-anthology | archive-url=https://archive.is/20130118131443/http://articles.boston.com/2010-12-07/ae/29307215_1_rap-critics-jay-z-norton-anthology | dead-url=yes | archive-date=January 18, 2013 | title=Anthology Expands Rap from Music to Literature | newspaper=] | publisher=] | accessdate=February 9, 2012 }}</ref> |
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He was notable for using a rap style called "]".<ref name="McGruff-Interview-L-Online">{{Cite interview | url=http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=2152 | title=The Herb McGruff Interview | work=''Big L Online'' | date=April 26, 2009 | interviewer=Francesca Djerejian | subject=Herb McGruff | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502114845/http://biglonline.com/index.php?showtopic=2152 | archivedate=May 2, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Coleman also used ]s in his rhymes.<ref name="Lifestylez Review" /> M.F. DiBella of ] stated Coleman was "a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire".<ref name="Lifestylez Review" /> On the review of ''The Big Picture'', she adds "the Harlem MC as a master of the punch line and a vicious storyteller with a razor blade-under-the-tongue flow."<ref name="Picture Review" /> Trent Fitzgerald of Allmusic said "a lyrically ferocious MC with raps deadlier than a snakebite and mannerisms cooler than the uptown pimp he claimed to be on records."<ref name="DITC biography">{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ditc-p396010/biography | title=D.I.T.C. > Biography | last=Fitzgerald | first=Trent | work=] | publisher=] | accessdate=November 8, 2011}}</ref> |
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===Documentary=== |
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A documentary ''Street Struck: The Big L Story'' was set to be released in 2017. It is directed by a childhood friend and independent film director, Jewlz.<ref name="Doc Trailer 1" /> Approximately nine hours of footage was brought in, and the film is planned to be 90 to 120 minutes long.<ref name="Don Tube Interview" /> The first trailer was released on August 29, 2009.<ref name="Doc Trailer 1">{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PIrfD31X7Q | title=Big L Documentary Trailer (First Draft) – 'Street Struck: The Big L Story.' Coming Soon! | work=] | accessdate=October 27, 2011 | date=August 29, 2009 | author=BigLOnline}}</ref> ''Street Struck'' contains interviews from his mother Gilda Terry; his brother Donald; childhood friends E-Cash, D.O.C., McGruff, and Stan Spit; artists Mysonne and ]; producers Showbiz and Premier; and recording DJs Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg.<ref name="Doc Trailer 1" /> A soundtrack will be made for the documentary, and it will be put together by Lamont's brother Donald.<ref name="Don Tube Interview">{{Cite interview | subject=Donald Phinazee | interviewer=Bill Starlin | url=http://vimeo.com/16695744 | work='']'' | date=November 10, 2009 | title=Big L's Brother Talks His Death and the New Album}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
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{{Main|Big L discography}} |
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{{see also|List of songs recorded by Big L}} |
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===Studio album=== |
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* '']'' (1995) |
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===Posthumous studio albums=== |
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* '']'' (2000) |
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* '']'' (2010) |
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* '']'' (2010) |
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* '']'' (2011) |
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===Compilation albums=== |
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* ''Showbiz Presents: Big L & Silky Black'' (1992) |
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* '']'' (1998) |
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* '']'' (2003) |
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* '']'' (with {{small|]}}) (2003) |
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* '']'' (2006) |
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* '']'' (2012) |
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===Posthumous collaboration album=== |
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* '']'' (with {{small|]}}) (2000) |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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A Big L is when you lose big time, fam. |
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==Sources== |
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* {{Cite book | url= | title=Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide: Volume 1: East Coast and West Coast | last=Hess | first=Mickey | publisher=ABC-CLIO | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-313-34323-0 | ref=Hess2010}} |
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* {{Cite news | ref=Jasper1999 | last=Jasper | first=Kenji | url=http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-07-06/news/of-mics-and-men-in-harlem/ | title=Of Mics and Men in Harlem | newspaper=] | date=July 6, 1999 | accessdate=February 6, 2012 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810113753/http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-07-06/news/of-mics-and-men-in-harlem/ | archivedate=August 10, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} |
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* |
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==External links== |
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{{Wikiquote|Big L (rapper)|Big L}} |
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* {{Official website|http://www.biglonline.com}} |
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* {{Allmusic|artist|p144340}} |
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* {{MTV artist|big-l}} |
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* {{Discogs artist|Big L}} |
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* {{Findagrave|16954854}} |
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{{Big L}} |
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{{Big L}} |