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About Big L: Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), better known as Big L, was an American rap artist. Big L was born, raised, lived, and fatally shot in the same Harlem neighborhood he so frequently rhymed about. He is mostly remembered for his freestyle ability, his critically acclaimed debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous and his murder at the age of twenty-four. Following Coleman's death, he has been since celebrated as one of the best skilled emcees of all time, due to his oft-lauded punchlines and razor-sharp lyrics.

Big L's History: His early career began in a group called Children of the Corn with fellow Harlemites Ma$e (then known as Murda Mase), Cam'ron (then known as "Killa Cam") and Cam'ron's cousin Bloodshed. The group recorded numerous songs, enough to make a full length album. However, Bloodshed was killed in a car accident in 1996, while Ma$e and Cam'ron pursued their "hoop dreams" in both high school and college.

His first recording under the name Big L was made in 1995 with Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous. He gained recognition within the genre of rap music for his renditions of Put it on; No Endz, No Skinz; Street Struck and Da Graveyard (which featured a then unknown Jay-Z). He also had a famous 7 minute freestyle with Jay-Z that was on the Stretch & Bobbito Radio Show in NYC. Despite critical acclaim for his album, it was poorly promoted by Columbia Records and failed to meet sales expectations. He left the record label shorty thereafter.

Big L's biggest success came with Ebonics which he recorded on his own "Flamboyant" label in the summer of 1998. The single, which consists of defininitions of slang terms, is widely regarded as his best work.

Big L joined the Bronx-based hip-hop supergroup Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) and appeared on their single recording of Dignified Soldiers and their later LP. His first known recording is the "Yes You May" (Remix) with D.I.T.C. member Lord Finesse. He also appeared on D.I.T.C members Showbiz and A.G's 1992 album Runaway Slave on the song "Represent" also featuring Deshawn and Lord Finesse.

Big L's Career: Jay-Z has said that Big L was to sign with his Roc-A-Fella label. The two had a mutual respect dating back to Jay-Z's appearance with L on the radio and on Big L's first album.

His last recorded release was The Big Picture on August 1, 2000, put together by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Ent., Rich King, from songs L had recorded and acapellas that were never used, as well as calling in producers and guest rappers that L respected and worked with before. The album was certified gold a month later.

Rumors say that DJ Premier is producing the next Big L album, due out during 2006-07.

Big L's Murder: On the evening of February 15, 1999 Big L was shot several times in the head and chest and killed just blocks away from his Harlem home. He was 24 years old. Early implications led many to believe that Coleman was killed because of a debt owed by his brother, Lee Coleman, who was in jail at the time and was therefore inaccessible. It has also been speculated that the murderer mistook Lamont for his brother on the night he was shot.

Big L's Legacy: Big L is also one of the more overlooked storytellers in rap. His epic stories such as Clinic, Casualties of a Dice Game, and The Heist have drawn comparisons to legendary rap stories such as Slick Rick's "Children's Story" and Notorious B.I.G.'s "Warning".

In 2005, former associate Ma$e publicly stated that he ghostwrote many of Big L's rhymes, however many in the hip hop community have dismissed Mase's claims.