Big L | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lamont Coleman |
| Born | May 30, 1974 Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Origin | Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Died | February 15, 1999 (aged 24) Harlem, New York City, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1992–1999 |
| Labels | |
Lamont Coleman (30 May 1974 – 15 February 1999) was an American rapper, songwriter and record producer 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.
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.
*Album was released posthumously.