Harlem - New York City based hip-hop MC and a member of the D.I.T.C. Crew. One of the best & most under-rated MC's to come out of NYC in the 1990's. Unfortunately, Big L was shot and killed in Harlem on the night of February 15, 1999, just blocks away from his home. He was only 24 years old at the time of his death.(R.I.P.) Big L - May 30, 1974 ?> February 15, 1999.
Big L's debut solo album, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, was released in March 1995. The album featured guest appearances from a number of artists, notably Kid Capri, Lord Finesse, and at the time, an unknown Cam'ron, and Jay-Z. Two singles, "M.V.P" and "Put It On", were released from the album, both of which reached the top twenty-five of Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks. The album itself also reached the Billboard 200. From 1997 to 1999, Big L worked on his second album The Big Picture. The album featured cameos from Fat Joe, Kool G Rap, Tupac Shakur, and Big Daddy Kane among others. Jay-Z has said that Big L was set to sign with his Roc-A-Fella label, but died the week before. The Big Picture would be his last recorded album, released posthumously in August 2000. It was put together by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Entertainment, Rich King. It contains songs that L had recorded and a cappella recordings that were never used, completed by producers and guest MCs that Big L respected or had worked with previously. The album was certified gold a month later.
Lamont was killed in the doorway of 45 West 139th Street in Harlem on February 15, 1999, after being shot 23 times in the eye and chest. Gerard Woodley, one of Big L's childhood friends, was arrested in May 1999 for the crime. At the time of his death, L had two brothers in prison. "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 NYPD. Woodley was later released and the murder case remains unsolved.
Big L's brother was later shot and stopped breathing in the same neighborhood while searching for clues relating to his brother's murder.
Gang Starr has made a tribute to Big L on their Sirius/XM satellite radio show and a song entitled "Full Clip".
From Wikipedia:Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 ? February 15, 1999), better known by his stage name Big L, was an American rapper. Big L was born, raised, lived, and fatally shot in the same New York City neighborhood, Harlem, which frequently appeared in his rhymes. He is mostly remembered for his freestyling, storytelling, punchlines, his critically acclaimed debut album Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, and his murder at the age of 24. He is remembered to some in Harlem as "The 3rd King" (Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. assumingly being the other two).