The track’s title is a reference to Flamboyant Entertainment, an independent label founded by Big L in 1998.
During a February 1999 interview with Mike Lewis in Amsterdam, the New York emcee spoke on why making his own label was so important:
“Having your own label is financially rewarding and it’s good for long term growth. I’ve got total control of what I put out and don’t have anybody telling me what to do. A lot of A&R people never even grew up on rap so how can they tell a rapper what kind of records they should make? Basically they want you to be a copycat of whoever’s selling the most records at the time. If you went back to ‘93 they would probably tell you to sound like Snoop. DMX is hot right now so they’d want you come out like that. [The A&R people] don’t let artists be themselves.“
Flamboyant
Big L Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big L, Corleone (uh-huh)
My nigga C-Town, my big brother Big Lee holdin' it down (uh-huh)
Flamboyant, baby (I hear you), for life
We takin' over (no doubt)
Comin' to a theater near you
Check it out, come on, check it
Better watch me' round your girl if you ain't fuckin' her right
You damn playa haters never want to see me blow
Flamboyant Entertainment CEO
Yo, the spotlight is mine, it ain't his no more
When Lee come home, niggas can't live no more
And I'm straight, keep a Harlem World mindstate
I never lounge where you find Jake
Surprise niggas like a blind date, L rhyme great
And I'ma increase the crime rate for old time's sake
Run with me and I'm a make you a star
When me and my crew hit the clubs, we go straight to the bar
Leave 'em empty, I cruise through Harlem in an M3
Never pay for parties, say my name and I'm in free
I'm on some 100-G car shit, superstar shit
Sellin' niggas that wet shit right out the jar shit
I'm dumb hot, I'll wreck you and your young flock
Keep the gun cocked, represent one block
139 nigga, the Danger Zone
We quick to put a bullet in a stranger's dome
I'm known to kick a rough rhyme and rock much shine
Yo, I'm out, I done took up enough time
We out, no doubt
You know how we do
Flamboyant for life
Big L, Corleone
A smooth kid that'll run up in your baby mother
Big L, for real
Corleone is too advanced for y'all
Big L, I'm a pimped-out nigga for real
Big L, Corleone is too advanced for y'all
Yo, it's Corleone and Queen's Most
We bust 'til your whole team ghost
Everywhere we go, we must bring toast
Forever poppin' the chrome, always droppin' a poem
I can write it or recite it off the top of the dome
However you want it is how I'm gonna give it to you, Big L style
They brought it back to the streets 'cause that shit sell now
So pal, back up a bit, give me elbow space
I represent Harlem World, not Melrose Place
So I'ma lace the jewels up with nice baguettes
Flamboyant is the label that writes the checks
Y'all niggas better stop frontin' 'cause I might get vexed
And I'm a run up on y'all and slice ya necks
With the machete, pockets heavy, slang more cane than Eddie
I represent uno-trece-nueve
Time is money so I stay late, I'm quick to slidw a playmate
Bust off like the tre-eight then vacate, uh
Big L, Corleone (Flamboyant, baby)
A smooth kid that'll run up in your baby mother (for life)
Big L, for real
Corleone is too advanced for y'all
Big L, I'm a pimped-out nigga for real
Big L, Corleone is too advanced for y'all
I leave mics torn
Big L
The song "Flamboyant" by Big L is an anthem for his label, Flamboyant Entertainment, and his hometown of Harlem. The opening lines introduce Big L as the CEO of Flamboyant Entertainment and boast that they are taking over and coming to a theater near you. The lyrics emphasize his skills as an artist with lines like "L rhyme great" and "I'm known to kick a rough rhyme and rock much shine." The second verse features Corleone and Queens Most, as they boast about their skills and street credibility.
The lyrics speak to the harsh realities of the streets and the need for survival. Big L raps about increasing the crime rate for old time's sake, representing his block, and being quick to put a bullet in a stranger's dome. The song also highlights Big L's success and opulent lifestyle. He raps about cruising through Harlem in an M3 and selling "wet shit" straight out of the jar.
Overall, "Flamboyant" showcases Big L's talent as a rapper, his pride in his label and hometown, and his unapologetic approach to street life. The lyrics are gritty and raw, reflecting the harsh realities of growing up in Harlem.
Line by Line Meaning
Make sure my mic is loud and my production is tight
I want my microphone to be loud and my music production to be tight and well done
Better watch me round your girl if you ain't fucking her right
If you're not satisfying your girl, she might come to me instead
You damn playa haters never want to see me blow
My haters don't want to see me become successful
Flamboyant Entertainment CEO
I am the CEO of Flamboyant Entertainment
Yo the spotlight is mine, it ain't his no more
I own the spotlight now, it doesn't belong to anyone else
When Lee come home, niggas can't live no more
When Big Lee gets out of jail, he's going to take over and nobody else will be able to live up to him
And ... I'm straight, keep a Harlem World mindstate
I'm good and I have a Harlem World mentality
I never lounge where you find Jake
I don't hang out where the police are located
surprise niggas like a blind date, L rhyme great
People are surprised when they hear my music because I'm great at rhyming
And I'm a increase the crime rate for old time's sake
For old times' sake, I'm going to commit some crimes and raise the crime rate
Run with me and I'm a make you a star
If you come with me and my crew, I'll make you a star
When me and my crew hit the clubs, we go straight to the bar
When my crew and I go to clubs, we go straight to the bar to get drinks
Leave 'em empty, I cruise through Harlem in an M3
We leave the bars empty and I drive around Harlem in a BMW M3
Never pay for parties, say my name and I'm in free
I never have to pay for parties, I just say my name and get in for free
I'm on some 100-G car shit, superstar shit
I'm on some high-end, superstar car shit
Selling niggas that wet shit right out the jar shit
I'm selling drugs straight out of the jar
I'm dumb hot, I'll wreck you and your young flock
I'm on fire and I'll wreck you and your group of followers
Keep the gun cock, represent one block
I always keep my gun loaded and represent one block in particular
139 nigga, the Danger Zone
I'm from 139th street, the Danger Zone
We quick to put a bullet in a stranger's dome
We're quick to shoot a stranger in the head
I'm known to kick a rough rhyme and rock much shine
I'm known to rap well and wear a lot of flashy jewelry
Yo I'm out, I done took up enough time
I'm leaving now, I've talked enough
We out, no doubt, you know how we do, Flamboyent for life
We're leaving now, and you know our style, we represent Flamboyent for life
"Big L" "Corleone"
Big L and Corleone are my names
"A smooth kid that'll run up in your baby mother"
I'm a smooth criminal who will have sex with your girlfriend
"For real"
I am being serious and truthful
"Corleone is too advanced for y'all"
My name, Corleone, is too advanced for you to handle
"Yo it's Corleone and Queen's Most, we bust til your whole team ghost"
Me and Queen's Most are a force to be reckoned with, we'll defeat your whole team
"Everywhere we go, we must bring toast forever"
We have to bring our guns wherever we go, forever
"Popping the chrome, always dropping a poem"
We're shooting our guns and always dropping some good lyrics
"I can write it or recite it off the top of the dome"
I can write or improvise my lyrics on the spot
"However you want it is how I'm gonna give it to you, Big L style"
Whatever style of rap you want, I can give it to you in my Big L style
"They brought it back to the streets cause that shit sell now"
The music industry is now selling street-style rap music again
"So pal back up a bit, give me elbow space"
Back up a bit and give me some space
"I represent Harlem World, not Melrose Place"
I come from Harlem World, not a fancy place like Melrose Place
"So I'm a lace the jewels up with nice brigettes"
I'm going to decorate my jewelry with nice, sparkling diamonds
"Flamboyent is the label that writes the checks"
The record label I'm signed to, Flamboyent, pays me
"y'all niggas better stop fronting cause I might get vexed"
Stop pretending to be something you're not, or I'll get angry
"And I'm a run up on y'all and slice y'all necks"
I'm going to run up on you and cut your throat
"With the machette, pockets heavy, slang more cane than Eddie"
I have a machete and a lot of money, and I sell more drugs than Eddie
"I represent uno trece nueve"
I represent 139th street
"Time is money so I stay late, I'm quick to sign a playmate"
I work late because time is money, and I'm quick to have sex with attractive women
"Bust off like a tre-eight then vacate, uh"
I'll shoot my gun and then run away quickly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Dee Ervin, Lester Coleman, Michael Heron James, Wes Farrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind