Big L 1974 - 1999

Big L was an MC from Harlem murdered before his time, and he would have surely blown up and given us more classics had he lived. He was killed this month in 1999 before his second album “The Big Picture” was released. For those that don’t know Big L was one of the dopest lyricists to ever spit and has had ties with nearly everyone in New York. The self-proclaimed “Flamboyant MC” has recorded tracks with Gang Starr, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and once had a group called Children of the Corn which included Killa Cam (who would later help form The Diplomats) and Murder Ma$e (yes the preacher/Bad Boy guy.) L was better known as a member of the legendary Hip Hop Collective D.I.T.C. (Diggin' in the Crates) which included Showbiz & A.G., Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, O.C. and Buckwild. He is widely regarded to be one of the best MCs of all time.

I remember L most from his ’98 Freestyle and his song “Ebonics” where he broke down slang terminology. Big L was famous for his punchlines, and every song had an abundance of them. A lot of rappers owe their style to him and he’s almost always slept on when talking about the greats. I didn’t have this blog last year so I couldn’t commemorate the 10th anniversary of his passing, but at least we can celebrate the 11th year with this dope tribute mix from DJ Premier. I’ll leave you with some Big L lines and links to the mix after the jump. Rest in Piece Big L.


“Before I buck lead, and make a lot of blood shed/ Turn your Tux red, I'm far from broke, got enough bread/ And mad hoes, ask Beavis I get nuttin Butt-head”

“The crown is still mine cause I drop ill rhymes/A lot of rappers talk that murder shit and couldn't kill time/ One two, one two, crews I run through/ Fuck karate Big L practice Gun Fu”


DJ Premier Big L Tribute

Big L Tribute Part 2

Big L Tribute Part 3

*links via the Jugrnaut blog