History
Big L
Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), professionally known as Big L, was an American rapper widely recognized as one of the most skilled and lyrical artists in hip-hop history. He is also credited with helping to pioneer the horrorcore subgenre.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Emerging from Harlem, New York, in the early to mid-1990s, Coleman gained a significant following within the underground hip-hop community for his exceptional freestyling abilities. He founded the group Three the Hard Way in 1990, which later evolved into Two Hard Motherfuckers. It was during this period that he began to be known as "Big L." A pivotal moment came in the summer of 1990 when he met Lord Finesse, leading to a musical connection.
Coleman attended Julia Richman High School, where he honed his battle rap skills. In his final interview, he reflected on his early aspirations, stating, "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." He graduated in 1992.
Musical Achievements and Style
Big L's debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, was released in 1995 by Columbia Records and is now considered a classic by many fans. He was noted for his intricate wordplay, compounding rhyme schemes, and vivid metaphors. Critics and fellow artists praised his lyrical prowess. AllMusic writers highlighted his ability to craft compelling narratives and deliver sharp punchlines. M.F. DiBella described him as "a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire," and later added that he was "a master of the punch line and a vicious storyteller with a razor blade-under-the-tongue flow." Trent Fitzgerald of AllMusic characterized him as "a lyrically ferocious MC with raps deadlier than a snakebite and mannerisms cooler than the uptown pimp he claimed to be on records."
Coleman is often credited with contributing to the horrorcore genre with his 1992 song "Devil Son." However, his music also explored other themes, such as the struggles of inner-city life in songs like "Street Struck," and linguistic dexterity, exemplified by his track "Ebonics."
Tragic Death and Legacy
On February 15, 1999, Big L was fatally shot nine times in a drive-by shooting in his native Harlem. He was 24 years old. Gerard Woodley, a childhood friend, was later arrested in connection with the murder, though the case remained officially unsolved. Big L is buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.
His impact on hip-hop continues to be felt, with artists like Nas expressing profound admiration for his talent. Nas stated 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.'"
