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.
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". Woodley was later released and the murder is still unsolved.
Discography
Studio albums
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995) The Big Picture (2000) 139 & Lenox (2010)* Return of the Devil's Son (2010)* The Danger Zone (2011)
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
Other websites
Official website
1974 births
1999 deaths
African American musicians
Rappers from New York (state) Murdered African-American people Murdered musicians Murders by firearm in New York (state) People murdered in New York (state) Singers from New York City Unsolved murders in the United States