Big L Album: “Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous (Explicit)”

Well, there's too much to say about this album, but I'll try to keep it within a thousand words. L was, and still is, simply the best. He proves it with crazy metaphors like "when it comes to gettin' nookie, I'm not a rookie, I got girls that make that chick Toni Braxton look like Whoopi," and "I told him give up the dough before you get smoked... 'Oh, you broke?' (gunshots)... now you dead broke!" Definitely the most clever MC there ever was, regardless of whether he achieved gold or platinum status. This album in particular is special because of the stellar production from Showbiz, Buckwild, and Lord Finesse(D.I.T.C.- the best crew in hip-hop for those that didn't know) and dope guest spots from Herb McGruff, and the rest of his crew in Harlem. People are just catching on to L's greatness even though this joint came out in '95. It's a shame that L didn't live to see the success of his new joint, but buy this joint and his legacy will live on.... R.I.P Big L 1974-1999.

Earlier this year, we lost one of the true geniuses of the art of emceeing. We throw around praise a lot in Hip Hop for those who we lose tragically early. Not to take anything away from Biggie or Pac, but much of their praise came due to the commercial success they had. On the other hand, Lamont "Big L" Coleman obtained praise on the strength of his talent alone. For real, this kid was always nice. The first time I heard him was on Showbiz & AG's "Represent" in 1992, with Lord Finesse. The kid showed flair early on as somebody who was very anxious to give a second colon to anybody who dared intrude on his open mic time. As time went on, the kid started getting even nicer. The thing about L was that, he really never had a prime (or he was tragically robbed of the chance to reach it). He kept getting nicer. On this, his one and only LP (although Rawkus Records does plan to cut a posthemous release of some material that L was working on shortly before his death, and arguably, it's his best work), you get a taste of his true capability. You hear clever punchlines, such as "I put his brains on the street, so you could see what he was just thinkin." You also get early appearances from the likes of Jay-Z, Herb McGruff, and Cam'ron, all before they had released their own material. It's questionable whether Hip Hop will remember martyrs such as Big L, MC Trouble, Paul C, or the recently departed Slang Ton of the Outsiders 30 years from now. However, genius cannot be denied. This is a snapshot of Big L's maturation to genius that is forever available to observe.

ladies and gentlemen, i bring to you big l, the most underrated rapper ever to touch a mic, if you have not yet checked him out, i strongly suggest you do, he was an unbelievable lyricist, and had breathtakingly good punchlines, the beats on this album are all dark, street beats, matching the mood of the songs perfectly, big L had a smooth voice, an amazing flow, and an amazing multi syllable rhyming scheme, and although alot of the stuff he says on this album is shocking, you have to take it all lightly, and although people act like eminem was the first rapper ever to be extremely brutal or shocking in his raps, listen to this, and youll see how much eminem was influenced by this guy, big l does not only rap about guns on this either, he raps about a range of different things, how kids should go to school instead of selling drugs, girls who are golddiggers, the violence of where he grew up, and racism of police, like i said earlier, he had the best punclines ever, and i guarantee you will wear out your rewind button to make sure you got the punchlines, when big l died it was a great loss to rap, and he was most certainly up there with greats such as nas, biggie, jay z, etc. buy this today if possible

A lot of reviews have said the beats weren't great. This album was made in 96' so all the "new" hip-hop fans might not like it. But the old-school cats out there will find nothing wrong with it. Beats in this era usually ride over the MC so his voice is not the center of attention (ex: Dirt Off Yo Shoulder, and many other singles out today, no disrespect intended to Jay-Z).

The beats have a 90's rhythm. The lyrics and punchlines are incredible. "All Black" defines what a gangsta in the streets really is. With sick punchlines of brutal reality and somehow involving humor give Big L a unique position in hip-hop(So don't step to this cause I got a live crew/ you might be kinda big but they make coffins yo size too/)

A classic album contains no track skipping songs. Every song has a message and a certain style. For example, "Fed Up With Dat Bullsh*t" reveals another side of Big L which contains his struggle and resentment towards rascism(I'm not only fed up with the cops/ I'm also fed with the punk a$$ cabdrivers who don't stop/ they don't care if it's snowin/ first they slow down, then they see the skin is brown, and they keep goin'/)

Big L holds a unique style and a unique voice that give this album 5 stars. It is a classic and if anyone is considering rap as a career, this album would be one of the albums you would need to listen to.

big l is the illest rapper to rock a mic. his punchlines are soooooo amazing and have me in awe every time he spits his (...). his flow and style and voice is amazing. the beats are basic and nothing really special, but who really gives a (...) this is one of those rap albums where you can relax and chill while listenin to the album.....if you listen to the album you'll realize what a genius he really is.

honestly every song is excellent....no joke. EVERY song has ill flow and sick punchlines and everything else. some songs have guest appearances such as jay-z and kid capri.

RIP Big L

you arent a fan of rap and hip hop if you dont own this album. Seriously.