The 2nd Entry into The Epic Network’s hall of fame has to be Lamont “Big L” Coleman, R.I.P to this rapping mastermind, It still hurts me that he is gone everything I remember him. Especially for the fact that he doesn’t get as much love as Hip Hop legends Tupac and Biggie.

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BIG L

Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974–February 15, 1999), also known by his stage name Big L, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the greatest and most lyrical rappers to ever live. He was a significant participant in and contributor to the New York hip-hop scene in the mid- to late 1990s. Big L was a member of the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. He released his debut solo album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous. In February 1999, while working on his second album, Big L was shot and killed. The Big Picture, an album of songs he had recorded and acappella recordings completed by producers and guest MCs, was released posthumously in August 2000.

Big L – Flamboyant

BIOGRAPHY

Lamont Coleman was born to Gilda Terry in 1974 in Harlem New York. Growing up Lamont was known as a nice and funny kid by friends teachers and family.While Big L was still in high school at Julia Richman High School, he caught the attention of Lord Finesse at a record store, Diamond D and Showbiz of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (DITC). L’s first recorded appearance came on the B-side of “Party Over Here” by Lord Finesse in 1992, the song was the remix of “Yes, You May”. Soon after this Big L made appearances on the debut albums by Diamond D and Showbiz & A.G. which were both released in 1992. Soon L officially became a part of the DITC crew and signed with Columbia Records in 1992. He regularly appeared on the fellow DITC members albums, and also contributed to the works of Success – N – Effect. He appeared with the group regularly, notably on their single “Dignified Soldiers” and their later self-titled LP release, sometimes known as Worldwide

Big L – Put It On

Big L’s debut solo album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, was released in March 1995. The album featured guest appearances from a number of artists, notably Kid Capri, Lord Finesse, and at the time, an unknown Cam’ron, and Jay-Z. Two singles, “M.V.P” and “Put It On”, were released from the album, both of which reached the top twenty-five of Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks. The album itself also reached the Billboard 200. From 1997 to 1999, Big L worked on his second album The Big Picture. The album featured cameos from Fat Joe, Kool G Rap, Tupac Shakur, and Big Daddy Kane among others. Jay-Z has said that Big L was set to sign with his Roc-A-Fella label, but died the week before. The Big Picture would be his last recorded album, released posthumously in August 2000. It was put together by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Entertainment, Rich King. It contains songs that L had recorded and a cappella recordings that were never used, completed by producers and guest MCs that Big L respected or had worked with previously. The album was certified gold a month later.

Big L – 98 Freestyle

DEATH

Big L was shot and killed in Harlem on the night of February 15, 1999. Big L was murdered in the doorway of 45 West 139th Street in Harlem. Big L was shot 9 times, twice in the face. Gerard Woodley one of Big L’s childhood friends, was arrested in May for the crime. At the time of his death, L had two brothers in prison. “It’s a good possibility it was retaliation for something [Big L's] brother did, or [Woodley] believed he had done,” said a spokesperson for the NYPD. Woodley was later released and the murder case remains unsolved.

Gang Starr has made a tribute to Big L on their Sirius/XM satellite radio show and a song entitled “Full clip”.

Info from Wikipedia