Big L

Big L
Birth nameLamont Coleman
Born(1974-05-30)May 30, 1974
Harlem, New York City, United States
OriginHarlem, New York City, United States
DiedFebruary 15, 1999(1999-02-15) (aged 24)
Harlem, New York City, United States
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record executive
  • record producer
Years active1992–1999
Labels

Lamont Coleman (30 May 1974 – 15 February 1999) was an American rapper better known by his stage name, Big L.

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." Coleman was also called "the most underrated lyricist ever" by HipHopDX.[1]

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".[2] Woodley was later released and the murder is still unsolved.[3]

Discography

Studio albums

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

  1. "Remembering Lamont 'Big L' Coleman". HipHopDX. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  2. "Arrest Made in Big L Case". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. "Top 10 Unsolved Hip-Hop Murders - Big L". Retrieved 24 April 2015.

Other websites