Big L
Lamont Coleman (30 May 1974 – 15 February 1999) was an American rapper better known by his stage name, Big L.
Big L | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lamont Coleman |
| Born | May 30, 1974 Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Origin | Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Died | February 15, 1999 (aged 24) Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1992–1999 |
| Labels |
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Henry Adaso from About.com ranked him #23 of the "Top 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987 - 2007)" and said the "[he was] one of the most auspicious storytellers in hip hop history."[1] Coleman was also called "the most underrated lyricist ever" by HipHopDX.[2]
Death
On 15 February 1999, Big L was murdered at 45 West 139th Street after being shot nine times in the face and chest in a drive-by shooting at the age of 24. Gerard Woodley, his childhood friend, was arrested for the shooting. A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department said that "It's a good possibility it was retaliation for something [Big L's] brother did, or [Woodley] believed he had done".[3] Woodley was later released and the murder is still unsolved.[4]
Discography
Studio albums
- Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995)
- The Big Picture (2000)
- 139 & Lenox (2010)*
- Return of the Devil's Son (2010)*
- The Danger Zone (2011)*
Compilation albums
- Live from Amsterdam (2000)
- Harlem's Finest – A Freestyle History (2003)
- Big L: The Archives 1996–2000 (2006)
Collaboration albums
- D.I.T.C. (2000)*
*Album was released posthumously.
References
- ↑ "50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987 - 2007)". About.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ↑ "Remembering Lamont 'Big L' Coleman". HipHopDX. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ↑ "Arrest Made in Big L Case". Rolling Stone. http://rollingstone.com/artists/bigl/articles/story/5921403/arrest_made_in_big_l_case. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ↑ "Top 10 Unsolved Hip-Hop Murders - Big L". Retrieved 24 April 2015.