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, โHe scared me to death. When I heard that on tape, I was scared to death. I said, โYo, itโs 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.
Let 'Em Have It "L"
Big L Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Let 'em have it L) What? (Give it to 'em L) Yeah
Ayo I'm serious, I'm not the type to joke a lot
Dressed in all black never seen in polka dots
No other write rhymes like these
I'm cool as a light breeze, I'm playin' rappers out like striped Lees
I'm smoother than velvet, my lyrics are well-writ
I don't roll with punks I only roll with live guys
And we do drivebys in 325is
I had beef with this thief named Randolph
Now he's in a casket dressed up with his hands crossed
So you better leave L alone
Before I reach out and touch you but not with a telephone
Yo I'm the brother that you never even thought of beatin'
Black white or Puerto Rican, I'm gonna slaughter each and
Every crab MC that runs up
When a battle comes up, give me two thumbs up
Settin' it off lettin' it off (whatever)
(Let 'em have it L) What? (Give it to 'em L) Yeah
I damage all opponents as soon as the bell rings
It's all about me, yo it's a B. I. G. L thing
The crown is still mine cause I drop ill rhymes
A lot of rappers talk that murder shit and couldn't kill time
One two one two crews I run through
Fuck karate, Big L practice Gun Fu
Cause I'm a MC assassinator
I grab the mag and leave a nag leakin' like activator
Step to this and get shanked up
I knocked out so many teeth the tooth fairy went bankrupt
And I entertain well because of my brain cells
I'm naughty and stop callin' me shorty my name's L
My raps are hotter than the Bahamas
MC's be talkin' about breakin' jaws when they couldn't break a promise
With Big L you can't swing long
So get behind me and sing, cause every hero got a theme song
Settin' it off lettin' it off (whatever)
(Let 'em have it L) What? (Give it to 'em L) Yeah
The Big L's back to attack with a phat rap
Matter of fact, black, I'm puttin' Harlem on the map
Wassup cause I'm a stiggy star
Breakin' 'em up and then takin' they heart
You better believe that Big L is the man that be rippin' the microphones apart
I'm undefeated that's the stone truth
Cause battlin' me is like fightin' a gorilla in a phone booth
I take lives with no pride, I just committed a homicide
A punk brother died cause he tried
To take my cash but he didn't last, I pulled out fast
He tried to bash then I blast on his monkey ass
I make a lot of dough, I'm quick to spot a foe
Even if my grandma violate, she gotta go!
When I was young I played with guns, not a kiddy toy
Cause I'm a rough, rugged gangsta, not a pretty boy
Facts on tracks I recite well
Everybody wanna be like Mike, but Mike wanna be like L
Settin' it off lettin' it off (whatever)
(Let 'em have it L) What? (Give it to 'em L) Yeah
A-yo, big shots to all them niggas on the corner
Doin' something they ain't
Got no business doin'
I gotta say what's up to S&S, Doo Wop, and the Bounce Squad
Can't forget my peeps from Brooklyn, you know what I'm sayin'?
Like Box and Herb and Big Sid
A-yo, L, you must be buggin', B
You didn't even let me say what's up to my hoes, B
Oh yeah, we gotta say what's up to the hoes, man
Word up let's go see our P.O
In Big L's song, "Let 'Em Have It L," the lyrics are full of arrogant bravado, boasting about his skills as a rapper and his ability to take down any opponent who dare challenge him. Throughout the song, Big L exudes confidence as he raps about his prowess with guns, his ability to take lives, and his domination over his competition. He even takes a moment to give shoutouts to his friends and associates.
The lyrics of the song are filled with gritty details of street life and the cold and callous reality of surviving on the streets. Big L speaks about his experiences with violence and the harsh lessons he's learned along the way. Despite the dark themes running through the song, there is a sense of gritty determination and resilience that shines through, a sense that Big L is determined to succeed no matter what.
Overall, "Let 'Em Have It L" is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of life on the streets, full of raw emotion, powerful lyrics, and a sense that Big L is a force to be reckoned with. He is a true master of his craft and a fearless competitor who will stop at nothing to attain success.
Line by Line Meaning
Settin' it off lettin' it off (whatever)
Starting something, activating something.
(Let 'em have it L) What? (Give it to 'em L) Yeah
Commanding attention and directing energy towards the objective.
Ayo I'm serious, I'm not the type to joke a lot
I am a serious person who takes things seriously.
Dressed in all black never seen in polka dots
I only wear black clothes and never wear polka dots.
No other write rhymes like these
No other person writes rhymes like mine.
I'm cool as a light breeze, I'm playin' rappers out like striped Lees
I am calm and collected like a light breeze while I easily outdo my competition.
I'm smoother than velvet, my lyrics are well-writ
I am extremely smooth and my lyrics are well-written.
You sayin' L's this and L's that: get off L dick
Stop talking negatively about me and my work.
I don't roll with punks I only roll with live guys
I don't associate with weak people, I only associate with lively individuals.
And we do drivebys in 325is
We participate in driveby shootings while riding in a BMW 325is car.
I had beef with this thief named Randolph
I had a problem with a thief named Randolph.
Now he's in a casket dressed up with his hands crossed
He is now dead and buried with his hands crossed.
So you better leave L alone
You should stay away from me and not cause any trouble.
Before I reach out and touch you but not with a telephone
Before I retaliate physically against you, not with words over the phone.
Yo I'm the brother that you never even thought of beatin'
I am someone who you never even thought about beating.
Black white or Puerto Rican, I'm gonna slaughter each and
I don't discriminate based on race, I will defeat anyone who comes against me.
Every crab MC that runs up
Every weak rapper who tries to challenge me.
When a battle comes up, give me two thumbs up
When there is a rap battle, I am confident that I will win.
I damage all opponents as soon as the bell rings
I begin to damage my competition as soon as the challenge begins.
It's all about me, yo it's a B. I. G. L thing
It's all about me, this is a Big L thing.
The crown is still mine cause I drop ill rhymes
I am still the best because I write excellent lyrics.
A lot of rappers talk that murder shit and couldn't kill time
Many rappers speak about murder but are not capable of doing anything worthwhile.
One two one two crews I run through
I defeat any crew that challenges me.
Fuck karate, Big L practice Gun Fu
I prefer to use guns instead of karate.
Cause I'm a MC assassinator
Because I am an expert in defeating other rappers.
I grab the mag and leave a nag leakin' like activator
I grab my gun and shoot my target, causing them to leak fluid.
Step to this and get shanked up
If you challenge me, you will get stabbed.
I knocked out so many teeth the tooth fairy went bankrupt
I have knocked out so many teeth that the tooth fairy couldn't afford to pay up anymore.
And I entertain well because of my brain cells
I write entertaining songs because of my intelligence.
I'm naughty and stop callin' me shorty my name's L
I am rebellious and don't like being called by a nickname, my name is L.
My raps are hotter than the Bahamas
My lyrics are very impressive and better than most others.
MC's be talkin' about breakin' jaws when they couldn't break a promise
Other rappers talk about hurting people, but can't even keep their word.
With Big L you can't swing long
You can't last long against me.
So get behind me and sing, cause every hero got a theme song
It's better to support me and sing along, because every successful person has a theme song.
A-yo, big shots to all them niggas on the corner
Acknowledgement to all those individuals hanging out on the street corner.
Doin' something they ain't
Participating in activities they shouldn't be involved with.
Got no business doin'
No legitimate reason for doing these activities.
I gotta say what's up to S&S, Doo Wop, and the Bounce Squad
Shout out to individuals from the artists group and promoting good entertainment.
Can't forget my peeps from Brooklyn, you know what I'm sayin'?
I have respect for people from Brooklyn, you understand what I'm saying?
Like Box and Herb and Big Sid
Individuals from Brooklyn whom L has respect for and an acquaintance.
A-yo, L, you must be buggin', B
L, you are going crazy or being unreasonable.
You didn't even let me say what's up to my hoes, B
I wasn't able to give a shout out to my friends or lovers.
Oh yeah, we gotta say what's up to the hoes, man
Let's give a shout out to our female friends or lovers.
Word up let's go see our P.O
Let's go see our probation officer.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@recession81
[Hook:]
Settin' it off lettin' it off (whatever)ย [x4]
(Let 'em have it L) What?
(Give it to 'em L) Yeahย [x3]
(Let 'em have it)
[Verse 1:]
A-yo I'm serious I'm not the type to joke a lot
Dressed in all black never seen in polka dots
No other writes rhymes like these
I'm cool as a light breezeย
I'm playin' rappers out like striped Lees
Smoother than velvetย
My lyrics are well writ
You sayin' L's this and L's that
Get off L dick
I don't roll with punks I only roll with live guys
And we do drivebys in 325 I's
I had beef with this thief named Randolph
Now he's in a casket dressed up with his hands crossed
So you better leave L aloneย
Before I reach out and touch you but not with a telephone
Yo I'm the brother that you never even thought of beatin'ย
Black white or Puerto Rican
I'm gonna slaughter each and
Every crab MC that runs upย
When a battle comes up
Give me two thumbs up
[Hook]
[Verse 2:]
I damage all opponents as soon as the bell rings
Yo it's all about me it's a B. I. G. L thing
The crown is still mine cause I drop ill rhymesย
A lot of rappers talk that murder shit and couldn't kill time
One two one two crews I run through
Fuck karate Big L practice Gun Fu
Cause I'm a MC assassinatorย
I grab a mag and leave a nag leakin' like activator
Step to this and get shanked up
I knocked out so many teeth the tooth fairy went bankrupt
And I entertain well because of my brain cells
I'm naughty and stop callin' me shorty my name's L
Where raps are hotter than old ?
MCs be talkin' about breakin' jaws when they couldn't break a promise
With Big L you can't swing long
So get behind me and sing cause every hero got a theme song
[Hook]
[Verse 3:]
The Big L's back to attack with a phat rap
Matter of fact black I'm puttin' Harlem on the map
What's up cause I'm a stiggy star
Breakin' 'em up and then talkin' they heart
You better believe that Big L is the man that be rippin' microphones apart
I'm undefeated that's the stone truth
Cause battlin' me is like fightin' a gorilla in a phone booth
I take lives with no pride
I just committed a homicideย
A punk brother died cause he triedย
To take my cash but he didn't last
I pulled out fastย
I tried to bash then I blast on his monkey ass (boom)
I make a lot of doeย
I'm quick to spot a foe
Even if my grandma violate she gotta go
When I was young I played with guns not a kiddy toy
Cause I'm a ruff rugged gangsta not a pretty boy
Facts on tracks I recite well
Everybody be like Mike but Mike wanna be like L
[Hook]
[Big L Outro:]
A-yo big shots to all them niggas on the cornerย
doin' something they ain't got no business doin'
I gotta say what's up to S&S, Doo Wop, and the Bounce Squad
Can't forget my peeps from Brooklyn youknowhatI'msayin'?ย
Like Box and Herb and Big Sid
A-yo L you must be buggin' B
You didn't even let me say what's up to my hoes B
[Big L:]
Oh yeah we gotta say what's up to the hoes man
Word up let's go see our P.O.
@pandahsykes602
Big L legit started โdarkโ rap thatโs becoming so huge as of the last few years... and he did it In the 90s - what a true OG .
@Lupo32
Horror- core rap
@aaronbrooks1020
The Real Horrorcore Rap SHIT!!
@blackoutunit6276
Pandah Sykes gravediggaz were earlier
@mattwakeman6167
Geto Boys, Three 6 Mafia, Big L. I always gravitated towards the darker stuff lol
@czrczrczr3192
He did 3mins thatโs something else
@tucko11
Dude has a great voice you can hear his flows crystal clear . RIP big L
@d4rksydecaff
It's a shame how people never gave L the props he truly deserved until he passed away.
@4xSlash
They still dont give him the props he deserves. His music is still underground
@d4rksydecaff
+Victor Bautista real talk brother