R.I.P. Big L

Tupac and Biggie are, by far, Hip-Hop’s biggest martyrs. But there are other artists who left this world far too soon who also left an indelible mark on the genre. Case in point: Big L.

Before Ma$e brought Harlem World to the forefront and long before Cam’ron created a movement with his Diplomats, Big L was the one who put Uptown on the map. Known for his dizzying and one-of-a-kind rhyme scheme, L was definitely one of New York’s most promising rappers. If you’re still in the dark as to how he died, he was shot close to 10 times in the face and chest before his second album was to hit shelves.

Depending who you ask, the bullet was meant to send a message to his older brother (who was later murdered in 2002). Over a decade later, answers still remain unclear, but his legacy is settled. There’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said about L. I, unfortunately, didn’t really begin listening to him until after his death in 1999. One thing I’ll always wonder, however, is if the rumors were true of him potentially signing to Rocafella. I’m no A&R, but a label with him, Jay-Z, a young and hungry Beanie Sigel and State Property could have produced unprecedented results. Add in Cam and the Dips joining a few years later and Kanye becoming a superstar and the R.O.C. could have become even more powerful than eventually turned out to be.

Speaking of Jay and L, sit back and page homage to the legend with one of the greatest example of lyricsm in Hip-Hop history. Big L and Hov’s now immortal “7 Minute Freestyle.” This was recorded in 1995, a year before Jay released his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. R.I.P. Lamont Coleman.

DL: Big L & Jay-Z – “7 Minute Freestyle”