Today (February 15) marks 15 years since the passing of one hip-hop’s most gifted lyricists. That man was Harlem’s finest: Big L. In honour of his memory, we decided to take a look at 5 Big L songs that every hip-hop fan should know. Please bear in mind that this only a small sample of his astounding body of work. If you haven’t listened to his debut album Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous, I suggest that you take it in from front to back. It is a certified classic and stands as one of the greatest albums in hip-hop’s golden era. If you’re not familiar with Big L, the list below is a great starting point. If you are a fan, take a minute to reminisce and look back on some of the amazing music that he blessed us with.
“Put It On” – The first single off his debut album is a certified hip-hop anthem. Big L asserts himself as one of the hardest and sharpest in the game, opening the track with, “Aiyyo, you betta flee hops, or get your head flown three block/ L keep rapper’s hearts pumpin like Reeboks/ And every year I gain clout and my name sprouts/ Some brothers’d still be virgins if the crack never came out.”
“MVP” – The second single off Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous features Big L borrowing Big Daddy Kane’s classic lines for the hook, “If Rap was a game I’d be M.V.P./ The Most Valuable Poet on the M-I-C. It also has him dropping braggadocios bars mixed with street tales and sprinkles of his signature humour, “I’m the neighborhood lampor, punani vamper, mess around you’ll find/ My silk boxers in your mommy’s hamper”.
“Ebonics” – One of two singles of The Big Picture (his second album which was completely and released posthumously). The track sees Big L breaking down street slang and translating it into common language . This song helped educate a generation hip-hop fans who weren’t familiar with some of the more obscure slang. Only an artist like Big L could take a concept like this and flip-it into a well thought out, hit song.
“Stretch & Bobbito ’98 Freestyle” – Though it isn’t necessarily a “song” this easily one of the greatest radio show freestyles of all time and is a must listen. This is Big L in his truest form spitting raw, jaw dropping punchlines with an intricate rapid flow. It features a vast array of quotables including, “Turn your tux red, I’m far from broke, got enough bread/And mad hoes, ask Beavis I get nothing Butthead”. I could post lines upon lines of quotes but it’s better enjoyed to just sit back and listen. Be forewarned this verse is not for those who are easily offended. Even the host jokes at the end, “that’s one I’m not going to play for my mom…Not this one”.
“Street Struck” – Though many may have seen Big L as rapper who glorified violence, Big L, like many others was just chronicling his surroundings. “Street Struck” shows L warning the younger generation of the perils of street life. One of the best quotes from the song comes in the second verse, “Cause you can be rich with crazy loot, own a house and nine cars/ What good is that, if you’re dead, or behind bars?” The track is a difficult listen knowing Big L’s fate, but that makes the message even more impactful.
Big L will always be remembered as one of the greatest to ever bless the mic and his music will live on forever.
“Big L Rest In Peace”
