Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), known professionally as … Read Full Bio ↴Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), known professionally as Big L, was an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most lyrical rappers of all time, and is known for helping to pioneer horrorcore.

Emerging from Harlem, New York in the early to mid-1990s, Coleman became well known amongst underground hip-hop fans for his freestyling ability, and was eventually signed to Columbia Records, where he released his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous in 1995 and is now considered by many fans as a classic album. On February 15, 1999, Coleman was shot nine times and killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in his hometown of Harlem.

Noted for his use of wordplay, multiple writers at AllMusic, HipHopDX and The Source have praised Coleman for his lyrical ability, and he has also been described as "one of the most auspicious storytellers in hip hop history." Regarding Coleman's legacy, Nas said on MTV, “He scared me to death. When I heard that on tape, I was scared to death. I said, ’Yo, it’s no way I can compete if this is what I gotta compete with.'

Lamont Coleman was born in Harlem, New York City, on May 30, 1974, the third and youngest child of Gilda Terry (d. 2008) and Charles Davis. Davis left the family while Coleman was a child. His two older siblings, Donald Coleman and Leroy Phinazee (d.2002), were the children of Gilda and a man named Mr. Phinazee. Coleman received the nicknames "Little L" and "'mont 'mont" as a child. At the age of 12, Coleman became a big hip hop fan and started freestyling with other people in his neighborhood. He founded a group known as Three the Hard Way in 1990, but it was quickly broken up due to a lack of enthusiasm amongst the members. It consisted of Coleman, Doc Reem, and Rodney. No projects were released, and after Rodney left, the group was renamed Two Hard Motherfuckers. Around this time, people started to refer to Coleman as "Big L". In the summer of 1990, Coleman met Lord Finesse at an autograph session in a record shop on 125th Street. After he did a freestyle, Finesse and Coleman exchanged numbers.

Coleman attended Julia Richman High School. While in high school, Coleman freestyle battled in his hometown; in his last interview, he stated, "in the beginning, all I ever saw me doing was battling everybody on the street corners, rhyming in the hallways, beating on the wall, rhyming to my friends. Every now and then, a house party, grab the mic, a block party, grab the mic." He graduated in 1992.

On February 15, 1999, Big L was killed at 45 West 139th Street in his native Harlem after being shot nine times in the face and chest in a drive-by shooting. Gerard Woodley, one of Big L's childhood friends, was arrested three months later for the crime. "It's a good possibility it was retaliation for something Big L's brother did, or Woodley believed he had done," said a spokesperson for the New York City Police Department. Woodley was later controversially released, and the murder case remains unsolved.

Big L is buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.

On June 24, 2016 at 139th St. and Lenox Avenue, Woodley, 46, was shot in the head and later died at Harlem Hospital.

Coleman is often credited in helping to create the horrorcore genre of hip hop with his 1992 song "Devil Son." However, not all his songs fall into this genre, for example, in the song "Street Struck" Coleman discusses the difficulties of growing up in the ghetto and describes the consequences of living a life of crime. Idris Goodwin of The Boston Globe wrote that "[Big L had an] impressive command of the English language", with his song "Ebonics" being the best example of this.

He was notable for using a rap style called "compounding". Coleman also used metaphors in his rhymes. M.F. DiBella of Allmusic stated Coleman was "a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire". On the review of The Big Picture, she adds "the Harlem MC as a master of the punch line and a vicious storyteller with a razor blade-under-the-tongue flow." Trent Fitzgerald of Allmusic said "a lyrically ferocious MC with raps deadlier than a snakebite and mannerisms cooler than the uptown pimp he claimed to be on records.

All Black
Big L Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yo once again it's the Big L, that kid who got much props
From killin corrupt cops, with motherfuckin buck shots
So don't step to this, cause I got a live crew
You might be kinda big but they make coffins yo' size too
I was taught wise, I'm known to extort guys
This ain't Cali, it's Harlem nigga we do walkbys
No one can match me, tax me or wax me
If you want me to write you some raps G just ask me

Cause on the shelf is where your LP cold stood
Because it was no good, that shit ain't even go wood
I'm not the type to take sluts out, I just fuck they guts out
Get my nuts out, then break the fuck out
Me being a virgin, that's idiotic
Cause if Big L got the AIDS every cutie in the city got it
Once a nigga tried to stick me for six G's
And I put more holes in his ass than swiss cheese

(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black

I steal lives like a stone thief, so leave me alone chief
Or catch a buck shot to your domepiece
I must warn, I got it goin on, word is bond
Ducks be gettin thrown off platforms like P.M. Dawn
I'm catchin bodies like a villain's supposed to
And I squeeze triggers, not just on niggas but hoes too
So don't try to test me, cause I can't stand testers
Fuck around, I'll introduce you to your ancestors
Step to this and get left with a face full of tears, pal
But man you've been rappin for years now
And ain't made a hit yet, you flop in a split sec
In the shower's the only time you get your dick wet
I roll with scary crews, I come out of wars barely bruised
I'm puttin motherfuckers on the Daily News
I was a gangsta from the git-go
Leavin fags in bodybags with tags on they big toe

(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black

Yo ever since I was young, I ripped mics and I killed beats
And I'm known to milk freaks and hit em on silk sheets
No dame can give me a bad name, I got mad fame
I'm quick to put a slug in a fag brain
I be placin snitches inside lakes and ditches
And if I catch AIDS, then I'mma start rapin bitches
I'm all about makin papes kid
I killed my mother with a shovel just like Norman Bates did
My old man in the past, stuck me up without a mask
Then his ass cold dashed with my cash fast
Fifty G's is what the creep stole so the next day
Knocked on his door and shot his granny through the peephole
That's the type of shit I'm on, word is bond
Got it goin on, from the break of dawns to the early morn'
You know my style I'm wild, comin straight out of Harlem pal
It's Big L, the motherfucking problem child

(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black

This goes out to all y'all bitch-ass niggas
So if your mother ain't ready for a funeral, don't FUCK with me
Cause I know a good way to get your family together
And I ain't talkin bout a reunion motherfucker
Yo, I'm bout to sign out, but before I go
I gotta say peace to the NFL crew, you know who you are
And all y'all niggas talkin that gun shit
And won't bust a rhyme, stop fakin the funk!
Word, I'm bout to get up out of here
Yo I'm out B, yo peace man
I gotta get this money

So all y'all niggas on my hitlist get your suits ready
Hahahaha!

Overall Meaning

The song "All Black" by Big L reflects the rapper's tough persona and his willingness to use violence to protect his reputation. The lyrics convey a sense of danger and the threat of retaliation, as Big L boasts of killing cops and putting more holes in someone's ass than Swiss cheese. He warns those who try to test him that they may end up meeting their ancestors or their families may be dressed in all black.

Furthermore, Big L emphasizes his expertise in extorting people and his ability to catch bodies, not just on men but on women too. He also references his sexual prowess and mocks other rappers for not being able to make hits or get their dick wet.

The song's chorus reinforces the idea that people should be wary of Big L and his gun, as the gat goes click-clack and anyone who crosses him may end up with their family dressed in all black. Overall, "All Black" is a vivid portrayal of Big L's violent and ruthless persona.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo once again it's the Big L, that kid who got much props
Introducing himself as a rapper who has garnered respect within the hip-hop community

From killin corrupt cops, with motherfuckin buck shots
Boasting about his ability to stand up against perceived injustice by shooting corrupt police officers

So don't step to this, cause I got a live crew
Warning listeners not to challenge him as he has a loyal and dangerous entourage surrounding him

You might be kinda big but they make coffins yo' size too
Implying that his crew members have the power to physically harm anyone regardless of their size or strength

I was taught wise, I'm known to extort guys
Claiming to be street-smart and adept at exploiting others for his own gain

This ain't Cali, it's Harlem nigga we do walkbys
Showing pride in his neighborhood and threatening violence through drive-by shootings

No one can match me, tax me or wax me
Asserting his dominance over anyone who attempts to compete with him or criticize his music

If you want me to write you some raps G just ask me
Stating that he is more than willing to write raps for anyone who desires his assistance

Cause on the shelf is where your LP cold stood
Imagining his rivals' albums collecting dust on record store shelves due to their unappealing quality

Because it was no good, that shit ain't even go wood
Further suggesting that his rivals' albums underperformed commercially due to lack of quality

I'm not the type to take sluts out, I just fuck they guts out
Admitting to being promiscuous and only interested in sexual relationships rather than dates

Get my nuts out, then break the fuck out
Emphasizing his lack of attachment to women by immediately leaving after having sex with them

Me being a virgin, that's idiotic
Denying allegations that he is inexperienced in sexual relationships

Cause if Big L got the AIDS every cutie in the city got it
Jokingly claiming that he is so attractive and desirable that he would infect many individuals with AIDS if he was a carrier of the disease

Once a nigga tried to stick me for six G's
Recalling a time when someone attempted to rob him for $6,000

And I put more holes in his ass than swiss cheese
Boasting about the amount of bullets he shot at his would-be robber

(Thugs better scat when the gat goes click-clack)
Warning his enemies to flee when they hear the sound of his gun being cocked

Or I'mma have your family dressed in all black
Threatening to cause harm to his enemies' loved ones by forcing them to dress in mourning clothes

I steal lives like a stone thief, so leave me alone chief
Comparing himself to a thief who steals precious gems by taking people's lives, and warning people to stay away from him

Or catch a buck shot to your domepiece
Threatening to shoot someone in the head if they bother him

I must warn, I got it goin on, word is bond
Boasting about his skills and abilities as a rapper

Ducks be gettin thrown off platforms like P.M. Dawn
Insulting P.M. Dawn, a pop group, and implying that they are inferior to him by saying he throws people off of platforms, like they're not at the same level as him

I'm catchin bodies like a villain's supposed to
Boasting about killing people like a typical villain in movies and books

And I squeeze triggers, not just on niggas but hoes too
Emphasizing his readiness and willingness to shoot his enemies, both male and female

So don't try to test me, cause I can't stand testers
Warning anyone who tests his patience or skills that he will respond in a violent manner

Fuck around, I'll introduce you to your ancestors
Threatening to kill someone and suggesting that they will meet their dead relatives in the afterlife

Step to this and get left with a face full of tears, pal
Threatening violence and warning those who challenge him that they will be left crying

But man you've been rappin for years now
Criticizing other rappers who have been in the industry for a long time without making a significant impact

And ain't made a hit yet, you flop in a split sec
Insulting rappers who have not achieved mainstream success and suggesting that they are irrelevant

In the shower's the only time you get your dick wet
Insulting the sexual prowess of other rappers by implying that they are only able to satisfy themselves in the shower

I roll with scary crews, I come out of wars barely bruised
Claiming to hang out with intimidating groups of people, and suggesting that he is able to come out of fights and conflicts unscathed

I'm puttin motherfuckers on the Daily News
Boasting about his tendency to commit crimes and gain media attention as a result

I was a gangsta from the git-go
Asserting that he has always been involved in criminal activity, even from a young age

Leavin fags in bodybags with tags on they big toe
Using derogatory language and suggesting that he will kill gay individuals and label them as such in their corpse's identification tags

Yo ever since I was young, I ripped mics and I killed beats
Stating that he has always been a talented rapper and musician who excels in his art

And I'm known to milk freaks and hit em on silk sheets
Bringing attention to his sexual skills and suggesting that he enjoys having sex with attractive partners

No dame can give me a bad name, I got mad fame
Assuring listeners that he is not concerned with being brought down by scandalous relationships and mentioning his fame within the rap community

I'm quick to put a slug in a fag brain
Using derogatory language and threatening to harm gay individuals

I be placin snitches inside lakes and ditches
Describing his tendency to kill individuals who have betrayed him or revealed sensitive information

And if I catch AIDS, then I'mma start rapin bitches
Using insensitive and offensive language to joke about contracting AIDS and suggest that he would rape women if he had the disease

I'm all about makin papes kid
Asserting that he is focused on making a great deal of money through his music and other endeavors

I killed my mother with a shovel just like Norman Bates did
Using shocking language to describe the murder of his own mother, and making a reference to psycho killer Norman Bates from the movie Psycho

My old man in the past, stuck me up without a mask
Recalling a time when his father robbed him at gunpoint without concealing his identity

Then his ass cold dashed with my cash fast
Finishing his story about his father by describing how he stole his money and immediately fled the scene

Fifty G's is what the creep stole so the next day
Revealing the exact amount of money his father stole from him

Knocked on his door and shot his granny through the peephole
Describing his revenge against his father by killing his father's mother through her front door's peephole

That's the type of shit I'm on, word is bond
Boasting about his willingness to engage in violent and criminal behavior in order to get what he wants

Got it goin on, from the break of dawns to the early morn'
Stating that he is active and successful throughout the entirety of each day

You know my style I'm wild, comin straight out of Harlem pal
Describing his distinct and dangerous approach to music, and showing pride in his Harlem roots

This goes out to all y'all bitch-ass niggas
Addressing his enemies and using vulgar language to insult them

So if your mother ain't ready for a funeral, don't FUCK with me
Implying that his enemies will face considerable danger if they provoke him, and making a crass joke about causing someone's death

Cause I know a good way to get your family together
Suggesting that he is capable of causing his enemies' families to band together in grief or fear

And I ain't talkin bout a reunion motherfucker
Humorously clarifying that he is not referencing a peaceful family gathering, but rather a funeral or violent confrontation

Yo, I'm bout to sign out, but before I go
Announcing his departure from the song, but making one final statement

I gotta say peace to the NFL crew, you know who you are
Acknowledging his affiliation with the NFL crew and sending them a message of solidarity

And all y'all niggas talkin that gun shit
Calling out other rappers who brag about their possession and use of firearms

And won't bust a rhyme, stop fakin the funk!
Telling other rappers to focus on their musical skills and stop bragging about their weapons

Word, I'm bout to get up out of here
Acknowledging that the song is finished and that he is leaving

Yo I'm out B, yo peace man
Saying goodbye to his listeners and addressing them in a casual manner

I gotta get this money
Reiterating his desire to make a lot of money

So all y'all niggas on my hitlist get your suits ready
Threatening those on his hitlist with death, and making a joke by suggesting they prepare formal wear for the occasion

Hahahaha!
Ending the song on a note of laughter, possibly to suggest that everything he said was intended as a joke

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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