Big L: Difference between revisions
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[[image:Big_l.jpg|right|Lamont "Big L" Coleman]]'''Big L''' ([[May 30]], [[1974]] – [[February 15]], [[1999]]) was born '''Lamont Coleman''' in [[Manhattan]]. Big L was born, grew up, lived, and was fatally shot all in the same [[Harlem]] neighborhood he so frequently rhymed about. He is mostly remembered for his [[freestyle rap|freestyling]], his critically acclaimed album ''[[Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous]]'' and his death at the age of twenty four. |
[[image:Big_l.jpg|right|Lamont "Big L" Coleman]]'''Big L''' ([[May 30]], [[1974]] – [[February 15]], [[1999]]) was born '''Lamont Coleman''' in [[Manhattan]]. Big L was born, grew up, lived, and was fatally shot all in the same [[Harlem]] neighborhood he so frequently rhymed about. He is mostly remembered for his [[freestyle rap|freestyling]], his critically acclaimed album ''[[Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous]]'' and his death at the age of twenty four. |
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Lamont sought a new identity for himself in the Harlem community in which he was born, grew up, lived, and died at the age of 24 years. In the late [[1980s]] rap music dominated his neighborhood, and at a time when his friends were adopting other identies to associate themselves with the culture that it created, he decided that he wanted to be known as ''Big L'', rather than Lamont. |
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===Style=== |
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Big L achieved recognition as a creator of rap [[lyrics]] by expressing himself in the [[African-American]] variation of the [[American-English|American-English language]] known as [[Ebonics]], for his primary method of [[communication]]. |
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===Performance history=== |
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His early career began in a group called Children of the Corn with fellow Harlemites [[Ma$e]] (then known as Murda Mase), Bloodshed and [[Cam'ron]] (then known as "Killa Cam") . His first recording under the name Big L was made in [[1995]] with ''[[Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous]]''. He gained recognition within the genre of rap music for his renditions of ''Put it on''; ''No Endz, No Skinz''; ''Street Struck'' and ''Da Graveyard''. His biggest success came with ''Ebonics'' which he recorded on his own 'Flamboyant' label in the summer of [[1998]]. The single came to be regarded as his best work with his unique definitions of the [[English language]] within its lyrics: |
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<blockquote>Check it: My weed smoke is my lye.<br> |
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A [[kilo|ki]] of coke is a pie.<br> |
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When I'm lifted, I'm high.<br> |
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With new clothes on, I'm fly.<br> |
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Cars is whips and sneakers is kicks.<br> |
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Money is chips. Movies is flicks.<br> |
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Also, cribs is homes. Jacks is pay phones.<br> |
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Cocaine is nose candy. Cigarettes is bones.<br> |
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A radio is a box. A razor blade is a ox.<br> |
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Fat diamonds is rocks and jakes is cops.</blockquote> |
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===D.I.T.C.=== |
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Big L joined the [[Bronx]]-based hip-hop supergroup D.I.T.C. (Diggin' in the Crates) and appeared on their single recording of ''Dignified Soldiers'' and their later [[Vinyl record|LP]]. Rumours among hip hop fans suggested that Big L had signed with the Roc-a-fella label owned by Jay-Z. His last recorded release was ''[[The_Big_Picture_(Album)|The Big Picture]]'' on [[August 1]], [[2000]]. |
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Raised in Harlem's uptown sector "Danger Zone"----139th Street and Lennox Avenue, 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 ever crack on wax came in 1992's "Yes You May (Remix)." Since then Big L has blessed the mic countless times with lyrics like no other. |
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===Murder=== |
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On the evening of [[February 15]], [[1999]] Big L was shot nine times and killed just blocks away from his Harlem home. He was 24 years old at the time of his death. It has been claimed that the murderer was originally seeking revenge on Big Lee, the brother of Big L. However, because Big Lee was in jail at the time, the killer decided to kill Big L instead. |
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In 1993 he signed with Columbia Records and released one of the illest records of underground hip-hop. The record was the vinyl, promo-only "Devil's Son." That song was quickly banned from radio, due to such lyrics as: "I pistol whip the priest every Sunday." With hardcore lyrics made for the fans and not radio, Big L proved himself as one of the kings of the underground. In 1995, still with Columbia, He released his debut album "Lifestylz Ov Da Poor & Dangerous." The album was commercially ignored, but praised by the source who gave it 4 mics. The album was a lyrical masterpiece, and an underground success. That album put on a few now big name rappers, such as Jay-Z, and Cam'ron. After that album was released, L was dropped from Columbia. |
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===Legacy=== |
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Although his recordings did not achieve large sales Big L is remembered by the fans of rap music for his technical skills at producing rap recordings. His ultimate legacy was to join the deceased ranks of [[Eazy-E]], [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] as a short lived star of rap music. |
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Even after being dropped, L was rising in the game. He, along with Show, AG, Buckwild, Lord Finess, Fat Joe, OC, and Diamond, formed the group D.I.T.C. (Diggin' In The Crates). They began popping up on mixtapes all around, and Big L was showcasing his lyrical ability on a whole new level. Concerts in Amsterdam, and Japan proved to others that Big L and D.I.T.C. were now worldwide and ready to blow up. Big L was now on the verge of releasing his best work. He got in the studio and recorded "Ebonics" a breakdown of street slang. That single was blowing up the streets, and people were starting to notice L. Unfortunately his success was cut short. Big L was murdered on the very streets where he grew up. He was shot 7 times in the head and chest on February 15, 1999. |
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In August of 2000 Big L's posthumous, sophmore album "The Big Picture" was released. Half the album was completed before his death, and half after his death. This album recieved more respect in terms of sales, and rotation. The album went gold, and was the first of his albums to do so. Collaberations on the album include Guru, D.I.T.C. and rap vets like Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap as well as the late Tupac Shakur. |
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Although Big L is no longer with us, His essence is still felt in the rap game, from his smart lyrics, to his deadly metaphors and his freestyling ability, Big L has opened the doors for a wave of rappers such as Mase, Jay-Z, Cam'ron and McGruff. Through his music Big L lives on, and should never be forgotten. |
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R.I.P. Lamont Coleman aka. Big L |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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Revision as of 18:37, 23 May 2005
Big L (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999) was born Lamont Coleman in Manhattan. Big L was born, grew up, lived, and was fatally shot all in the same Harlem neighborhood he so frequently rhymed about. He is mostly remembered for his freestyling, his critically acclaimed album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous and his death at the age of twenty four.
Biography
Raised in Harlem's uptown sector "Danger Zone"----139th Street and Lennox Avenue, 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 ever crack on wax came in 1992's "Yes You May (Remix)." Since then Big L has blessed the mic countless times with lyrics like no other.
In 1993 he signed with Columbia Records and released one of the illest records of underground hip-hop. The record was the vinyl, promo-only "Devil's Son." That song was quickly banned from radio, due to such lyrics as: "I pistol whip the priest every Sunday." With hardcore lyrics made for the fans and not radio, Big L proved himself as one of the kings of the underground. In 1995, still with Columbia, He released his debut album "Lifestylz Ov Da Poor & Dangerous." The album was commercially ignored, but praised by the source who gave it 4 mics. The album was a lyrical masterpiece, and an underground success. That album put on a few now big name rappers, such as Jay-Z, and Cam'ron. After that album was released, L was dropped from Columbia.
Even after being dropped, L was rising in the game. He, along with Show, AG, Buckwild, Lord Finess, Fat Joe, OC, and Diamond, formed the group D.I.T.C. (Diggin' In The Crates). They began popping up on mixtapes all around, and Big L was showcasing his lyrical ability on a whole new level. Concerts in Amsterdam, and Japan proved to others that Big L and D.I.T.C. were now worldwide and ready to blow up. Big L was now on the verge of releasing his best work. He got in the studio and recorded "Ebonics" a breakdown of street slang. That single was blowing up the streets, and people were starting to notice L. Unfortunately his success was cut short. Big L was murdered on the very streets where he grew up. He was shot 7 times in the head and chest on February 15, 1999.
In August of 2000 Big L's posthumous, sophmore album "The Big Picture" was released. Half the album was completed before his death, and half after his death. This album recieved more respect in terms of sales, and rotation. The album went gold, and was the first of his albums to do so. Collaberations on the album include Guru, D.I.T.C. and rap vets like Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap as well as the late Tupac Shakur.
Although Big L is no longer with us, His essence is still felt in the rap game, from his smart lyrics, to his deadly metaphors and his freestyling ability, Big L has opened the doors for a wave of rappers such as Mase, Jay-Z, Cam'ron and McGruff. Through his music Big L lives on, and should never be forgotten.
R.I.P. Lamont Coleman aka. Big L
Discography
Albums
Singles
- Ebonics, on the Flamboyant label