Big L

In 1999, at 24 years of age, and mere days away from announcing his signing with Roc-A-Fella Records, Big L was tragically gunned down and murdered. At the time of his passing, Big L was one of the culture’s fastest rising stars, and was already becoming one of hip-hop’s sharpest lyricists, known for his intricate wordplay, humor, and street narratives. His exceptional debut album, Lifestyles ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995) was produced by luminaries such as Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Buckwild and included collaborations with Kid Capri, Cam’ron (his counterpart in the talent-laden group Children of The Corn with fellow aspiring neighborhood emcees Mase, Herb McGruff, Bloodshed and producer Six Figga Digga and a then still relatively unknown Jay-Z. The album spawned classics such as “M.V.P.” (which would later go on to be sampled by the Notorious B.I.G. on the “One More Chance” Remix), “Put It On,” and “Da Graveyard.” From 1997 until the time of his death, Big L, was recording an album with the highly-influential D.I.T.C. (Digging In the Crates Crew), which also consisted of Lord Finesse, Showbiz, Fat Joe, O.C., Diamond D and Showbiz & AG for Tommy Boy Records. After securing his release from Tommy Boy Records, Big L planned on signing a lucrative deal with Roc-A-Fella-Records; which never came to fruition.