Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago

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On this date twenty-nine years ago, Big L dropped his debut and only full-length studio album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous, on Columbia Records.

Aside from, eloquently stated by The Source Magazine at the time, “[coming] with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run,” Big L also ushered in two emcees that are very prominent in the culture today: a then-unknown Killa Cam and a semi-established Jay-Z.

Produced primarily by the legendary Lord Finesse with Showbiz and Buckwild on the help out, this was a Diggin’ In The Crates album. According to “Funky Technician” Lord Finesse, who had a hand in some of the album’s production, in an interview commemorating the album’s 15th anniversary, he said this about the posse track “8 Iz Enuff”, With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, ‘How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?’ [And he was like], ‘Don’t worry, I got this.’”

He definitely had it too.

Unfortunately, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous would be the only album released by L in his life as he was fatally shot in Harlem in 1999.

Salute to Big L kaka Lamont Coleman(RIP), Lord Finesse, Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Grand Daddy I, U, and everyone else who helped make this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Shot And Killed In Harlem 25 Years Ago

Big L

On February 15, 1999, the Hip Hop legend was murdered at 45 West 139th Street in Harlem after being shot nine times in the face and chest in a drive-by shooting. The shooting was said to have retaliated for something Big L’s brother did. Gerard Woodley, one of Big L’s friends shot in the head near the same street in 2016, was arrested three months later but was shortly released. Unfortunately, his murder case remains unsolved.

Big L began his career with the Hip Hop trio, Three the Hard Way. His first notable appearance came on Lord Finesse’s “Yes You May (Remix).” He released his debut album, Lifestylez of da Poor & Dangerous, in 1995, and 98′, he founded Flamboyant Entertainment, his indie label, through which he released one of his most popular singles, “Ebonics.” His second studio album, The Big Picture, was put together by his manager, Rich King, and released the year after his death. It went certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

A documentary is in the works titled Street Struck: The Big L Story. Big L is buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Shot And Killed In Harlem 25 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Shot And Killed In Harlem 25 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Method Man Says He Used To Buy Angel Dust From Big L

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On his most recent interview on Drink Champs, Wu Tang Clan swordsman Method Man revealed that he used to cop angel dust fro the late Diggin In The Crates rapper Big L.

Meth made the news known when DJ EFN ask him to choose between Biggie and Big L to which the rapper/actor reminisced about his personal, fond memories with Big L.

Meth also revealed that he used PCP for the recording of most of his debut LP Tical, which debuted in 1994.

The post [WATCH] Method Man Says He Used To Buy Angel Dust From Big L first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Method Man Says He Used To Buy Angel Dust From Big L appeared first on The Source.

The Hip-Hop Icons That Don’t Get Their Due

With hip-hop celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, it’s been amazing to see a number of rap legends and leaders of the new school getting highlighted throughout the year. And while moments at the Grammys and BET Awards set the stage for a year-long celebration, there are still a number of icons in their own right who don’t get their due.

It’s been refreshing to see rappers like E-40 and Black Thought finally getting much-deserved credit for being certified all-timers in recent years, and while there are surely countless artists who could use more recognition, here are nine others who deserve their flowers; especially now in hip-hop’s 50th year.

Big L

Big L was an absolute killer on the mic, but his life was cut tragically short in 1999 at the age of 24. The Harlem rapper was on a major come up at the time of his death, primed to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records before things were cut short.

He was a member of famed NY crew DITC, a pioneer of the independent hip-hop movement with his artist-run label Flamboyant Entertainment, and even collaborated with 2Pac on the supreme cut, “Deadly Combination” (Rumor has it 2Pac recorded the song with Big L less than an hour before 2Pac was shot and killed himself.)

Big L’s mastery was never more evident than on “Ebonics,” where he managed to lay out the entire hip-hop vernacular in a manner that was both entertaining and totally comprehensive.

MC Lyte

Coming up in the late ’80s, MC Lyte was actually the first female solo rapper to drop an album with Lyte As A Rock in 1988. This widely publicized factoid somehow still isn’t publicized enough, a testament to exactly why the Brooklyn rapper belongs on this list. Hip-hop was and is still male-dominant and Lyte blazed a trail in dropping sick rhymes that were firmly from the female perspective — before a lot of the women who currently get most of the credit for doing so. With each of her eight albums, the rapper and activist shapeshifted with an edge, normalizing the female point-of-view in hip-hop while the genre took form and flourished.

Aceyalone

Coming up with LA-based crew Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is a crucial figure in the rise of West Coast hip-hop’s independent scene. A central figure on Freestyle Fellowship’s classic albums like To Whom It May Concern and Innercity Griots, it was on his own that Ace-one became a storied MC.

A Book Of Human Language is a benchmark for the hip-hop concept album, with Acey flashing elite skills on tracks like “The Balance” and especially, “The Guidelines.” And it’s how there never seems to be a pause button when Aceyalone gets going into another dimension of lyricism that truly sets him apart.

Gift Of Gab

The Blackalicious MC is best known for the now pop culture ubiquity of “Alphabet Aerobics,” and there’s nary been a wordsmith as loquaciously creative as he. Paired with producer Chief Xcel, the vocal half of the Bay Area duo floated over soul-sampled beats with existential rhymes that were pound-for-pound more technical than just about anyone else in hip-hop. He helped lead the Quannum Collective from the early ’90s onward alongside artists like DJ Shadow and Lyrics Born. Sadly, he died in 2021 after a courageous battle with kidney failure, but he’s undoubtedly a hip-hop hero.

Phonte

With Little Brother, Phonte is a force behind perhaps the last true great group to come out of hip-hop’s Golden Age. Every bar he’s ever laid down on a Little Brother record shows that he’s one of the smartest MCs who can shift easily from rapping about heavy themes to not taking himself too seriously. With the Foreign Exchange, he put down refined R&B alongside producer Nicolay and his solo work is honest, grown-man rap that’s never afraid to be vulnerable in order to get real. Today, the North Carolina product is also the co-host of the Questlove Supreme podcast and has composed music for TV and film. Drake even called Phonte one of his primary influences, even though he never featured him on a track. For shame, sir!

Jean Grae

There’s a problem with female rappers getting their due praise to begin with, but Jean Grae’s work is undoubtedly iconic. The New York City MC shines on her sharp delivery, her ability to align with melodies, and her give no fucks sense of humor. Released in the 2000s, Attack of The Attacking Things and Jeanius are underground classics — the latter produced by 9th Wonder. Grae has also been a go-to featured voice across a number of tracks by Talib Kweli, The Herbaliser, and more. Her collaborative album, Everything’s Fine, with her partner Quelle Chris was Bandcamp’s No. 1 album of 2018.

Roots Manuva

One of the early products of the British rap scene, Roots Manuva seemingly straddled the line of grime, predating its rise with his own style. Born to Jamaican parents, Roots’ music often incorporates heavy dub and dancehall influences, but the production also skews towards electronic, making him well ahead of his time at the turn of the millennium. His sage-like voice is unmistakable and he’s appeared on albums by heavyweights such as Gorillaz and Massive Attack.

Ishmael Butler

You might know Ishmael Butler by one of his alter egos: Butterfly (with Digable Planets) or Palaceer Lazaro (with Shabazz Palaces). His place in hip-hop lore is marked by one of the most fascinating transformations ever. With Digable Planets, Butterfly was the boho-hipster MC/producer of the seminal hip-hop group. Then with Shabazz Palaces, Butler took a mystical turn towards afrofuturism with the prolific experimental hip-hop duo. A Seattle native, he’s also helped storied indie rock label Sub Pop Records develop the more left-of-center part of their roster.

Kool Keith

A hip-hop OG, Kool Keith came up with Ultramagnetic MCs in the mid-’80s. Whether true or not, an early rumor claimed that he had previously been in an insane asylum, and Keith seemed to relish that tale throughout his career. Across solo projects as Kool Keith or his alter egos Dr. Octagon and Dr. Dooom, Keith delivers downright batshit crazy flows. He jumps from rapping in space to wreaking havoc in a deranged psychiatric ward to romancing a lady in his “Monkey-green ragtop Seville.” In the vein of the great Shock G, Keith led the charge on weird rap and embraced the lunatic personas he created for himself to become a true original.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Today In Hip Hop History: Big L’s Second And Final Album ‘The Big Picture’ Dropped 23 Years Ago

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On this date in 2000, Big L’s posthumous album The Big Picture was released on Rawkus Records. The LP was originally slated as the late Lamont Coleman’s debut album, but L was tragically murdered in Harlem while the album was in production.

The album was produced by DJ Premier, Ron Browz, Ron G, Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Shomari, Mike Heron, Ysae, and Showbiz and features appearances from Fat Joe, Guru, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and the late Tupac Shakur.

Big L is regarded as one of the games best emcees that never got their chance in the spotlight, however, because of his ability to foresee great talent, he was the one who introduced Jay-Z as a force in 90s era crime rhyme, which dominated NYC Hip Hop via the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show in 89.9 FM in 1995.

Big up to the Rawkus team, the entire DITC and Big L himself for this eternal Hip Hop classic!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L’s Second And Final Album ‘The Big Picture’ Dropped 23 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L’s Second And Final Album ‘The Big Picture’ Dropped 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 28 Years Ago

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On this date twenty-seven years ago, Big L dropped his debut and only full-length studio album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous, on Columbia Records.

Aside from, eloquently stated by The Source Magazine at the time, “[coming] with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run,” Big L also ushered in two emcees that are very prominent in the culture today: a then-unknown Killa Cam and a semi-established Jay-Z.

Produced primarily by the legendary Lord Finesse with Showbiz and Buckwild on the help out, this was a Diggin’ In The Crates album. According to “Funky Technician” Lord Finesse, who had a hand in some of the album’s production, in an interview commemorating the album’s 15th anniversary, he said this about the posse track “8 Iz Enuff”, With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, ‘How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?’ [And he was like], ‘Don’t worry, I got this.’”

He definitely had it too.

Unfortunately, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous would be the only album released by L in his life as he was fatally shot in Harlem in 1999.

Salute to Big L kaka Lamont Coleman(RIP), Lord Finesse, Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Grand Daddy I, U, and everyone else who helped make this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Fat Joe Asks Why Big L Was Excluded From Top 50 GOAT Rappers List

As several rappers dismiss Billboard and Vibe‘s recent list, Fat Joe continues to comment on the choices. The two outlets partnered together to reveal their picks for the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time. Every artist deserved recognition and made an unforgettable mark in the genre. However, not everyone was happy with where some rappers were placed, and Fat Joe questioned why Big L was excluded.

“Yeah, no Big L. I mean, if you’re gonna like—because some of these guys on here ain’t got no hits,” said Joe. “I know they could rap, I know they could spit. But some of these guys on here don’t got no hits!” The Bronx hitmaker seemed confused about how the list was put together.

Read More: Bow Wow & Swae Lee React To Being Left Off ‘Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time’ List

“So, how do you judge who’s on the Top 50 rappers? Because there’s some guys here that never had a hit. And so, what are we basing it on? Lyrics? So, why isn’t Big L on there? This is the problem when you try to make this list. The only point I’m trying to make to you is this is not law.”

New York icon Big L tragically passed away after being killed in 1999. He was reportedly shot nine times during a drive-by shooting that still is unsolved. The industry fondly remembers him, and what he could have accomplished in the industry is often debated among hitmakers. Many rappers list Big L in their top lists, so it is no surprise that Fat Joe questions Billboard and Vibe.

Read More: Fat Joe Says Which Jay-Z Bar Is The “Hardest Lyric In Hip-Hop”

However, elsewhere, Joe agreed that the outlets were correct in giving the No. 1 position to Jay-Z. Hov’s name is often included in these conversations, and Joe shared why the Roc Nation mogul earned his placement. “Historically, there were certain rappers that were the gods at the time. Who had flows like nobody else. But when they got older in age, it almost sounded” outdated, said Joe. “It don’t sound current with 2023. Jay-Z just dropped ‘God Did’ where he spit for eight minute straight! And not ’cause he’s the richest. It’s just, I agree with it.”

Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Was Shot And Killed In Harlem 24 Years Ago

Big L

On February 15, 1999 the Hip Hop legend was murdered at 45 West 139th Street in Harlem after being shot nine times in the face and chest in a drive-by shooting. Gerard Woodley, one of Big L’s friends shot in the head near the same street in 2016, was arrested three months later but was shortly released. The shooting was said to have been retaliation for something Big L’s brother did. Unfortunately his murder case remains unsolved.

Big L began his career with the Hip Hop trio, Three the Hard Way. His first notable appearance came on Lord Finesse’s “Yes You May (Remix)”. He released his debut album, Lifestylez of da Poor & Dangerous, in 1995 and in 98′, he founded Flamboyant Entertainment, his own indie label, through which he released one of his most popular singles, “Ebonics”. His second studio album, The Big Picture, was put together by  his manager, Rich King, and released the year after his death. It went certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

A documentary is in the works titled Street Struck: The Big L Story. Big L is buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Was Shot And Killed In Harlem 24 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Rare Footage Of Cam’Ron In Cipher In Harlem Circa 1995

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Diplomats General Cam’ROn took to social media to post footage of himself, MA$e, Big L(RIP), Bloodshed(RIP) and McGruff from 1995 in a rhyme cipher in St. Nicholas Houses in Harlem.

“Before DIPSET IT WAS BBO then COC!!! This is footage is In ST Nick PJ’s, These are the bars u get when u spar with @rsvpmase #BigL #BloodShed and @therealherbmcgruff (in a good way) every week,” said Cam. He continued with his pending hoop dreams and drug dealing reality, saying, “Still wasn’t taking rap serious tho. This was a month after I got kicked out of college. Still thought I was going to the NBA. So I got a 8 ball to hold me over till I got back into school. Never went back tho 🤷🏾‍♂️ I’ll post part 2 on Monday!!”

The post [WATCH] Rare Footage Of Cam’Ron In Cipher In Harlem Circa 1995 appeared first on The Source.