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Big L Information
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'Lamont Coleman' (May 30, 1974 - February 15, 1999), better known as 'Big L', was an American rap artist. Big L was born, grew up, lived, and was fatally shot in the same Harlem neighborhood he so frequently rhymed about. He is mostly remembered for his freestyle ability, his critically acclaimed debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous and his death at the age of twenty four.
Performance history
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 (which featured a then unknown Jay-Z). His biggest success came with Ebonics which he recorded on his own 'Flamboyant' label in the summer of 1998. The single, which consists of defininitions of slang terms, is widely regarded as his best work:
Check it: My weed smoke is my lye.
A ki of coke is a pie.
When I'm lifted, I'm high.
With new clothes on, I'm fly.
Cars is whips and sneakers is kicks.
Money is chips. Movies is flicks.
Also, cribs is homes. Jacks is pay phones.
Cocaine is nose candy. Cigarettes is bones.
A radio is a box. A razor blade is a ox.
Fat diamonds is rocks and jakes is cops.
D.I.T.C.
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 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 on August 1, 2000.
Murder
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. Early implications led many to believe that Coleman was killed because of a debt owed by his brother, Lee, who was in jail at the time and was therefore unaccessible.
Suspect Arrested In Big L Killing
Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the murder of underground Harlem MC Big L (Lamontoleman). According to New York Police Officer Theresa Farello, Gerard Woodley, 29, was arrested 10:20 a.m.Thursday in a Bronx apartment and charged with second-degree murder. "The suspect had an ongoing dispute with Coleman's brother," Officer Farello told BLAZE Online. Gerard, who also is a native of Harlem, is wanted on a federal warrant for drug trafficking. He will be arraigned in a Manhattan Criminal Court and held without bail. As we last reported, Big L, a member of the Bronx hip hop crew Diggin' in the Crates, (a group of MCs and producers that include Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, Diamond D and Showbiz and A.G.), was gunned down February 15 near his home in Harlem, NY. An upcoming album by DITC, will posthumously feature Big L on several songs.
Discography
Albums
*Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
*The Big Picture
*Big L featuring AG "Live From Amsterdam"
*Harlem's Finest - A Freestyle History
*Harlem's Finest - A Freestyle History (Volume II)
*D.I.T.C. - Diggin' In The Crates (rap group)
Singles
*Ebonics, on the Flamboyant label
Unreleased Tracks
*Clinic (Should of Wore A Rubber)
*Times Is Hard on the Boulevard
*Holdin It Down (Album Cut)
*Devil's Son (released in vinyl)
*Work Is Never Done
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