"I know they heard that from [L], ‘cause that remix was no way done before “M.V.P.” was done. [And I know] because I was there during the making of the Ready To Die album ‘cause I did “Suicidal Thoughts.” So, if I woulda heard they used it before L used it I woulda never used it."
He also revealed the following in an interview with HipHopDX:
"That song came about because L wanted a commercial, R&B loop that everybody could recognize. And me remembering that [DeBarge] record, and also remembering how Kid Capri used it way back when he did – I forgot which record he did, but he had that [song], and I’m like, “Damn, well maybe we could reinvent that right there.”"
MVP
Big L Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it quick money grip or your ass is out
In a street brawl, I strike men quicker than lightning
You seen what happened in my last fight friend, aight then
L's a clever threat, a lyricist who never sweat
Comparing yourself to me is like a Benz to a Chevrolette
And clown rappers I'm bound to slay
I'm saying hi to all the cuties from around the way
My girls are like boomerangs
No matter how far I throw them they come back
I'm coming straight out the N.Y.C
I'm down with Diggin In The Crates and I'm MVP
If rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo if rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo it's a must that I get papes
Peace to all the DJ's who gave me love on they mixtapes
And once again the man's back with a dance track
So here's your chance Jack to get loose and let your hands clap
I got juice like beaucoup, mad crews I broke through
Brothers be mad cause I hit more chicks than they spoke to
And everytime I'm in a jam I always find a loophole
I got a crime record longer than Manute Bol
And my raps are unbelievable like aliens and flying saucers
No more iron horses cause I'm buying Porsches
Coming straight out the NYC
Peace to the Kid Capri, I'm MVP
If rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo if rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Battles I lose none, I make crews run
I get fools done, got ten fingers but only use one
I run up like Machine Gun Kelly with a black skully
Put one in your belly, leave you smelly, then take your Pelle Pelle
I'm the neighborhood lamper, punani vamper
Mess around you'll find my silk boxers in your Mommy's hamper
And nowadays girls want you for your money
I'm like Hev, I got nothing but love for you honey
And since I'm looking slick and my pockets are thick
I need surgery to get chicks removed from my
I'm coming straight out the NYC
Rap's my J-O-B, and I'm MVP
If rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo if rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Big L's song MVP is a classic example of raw, gritty New York City hip-hop in the mid-90s. The lyrics are full of braggadocious swagger, with Big L boasting about his skills as a rapper, his way with women, and his impressive crime record. The song begins with the command to "spark up the phillies and pass the stout," setting a tough, streetwise tone right from the start. Throughout the verses, Big L shows off his lyrical dexterity, using clever wordplay and metaphors to assert his dominance. He compares himself to a Benz while clown rappers are like Chevrolettes, and he claims to have hit more chicks than most guys even speak to. But despite the brooding tough-guy persona, there's a playful sense of humor to the song, as evidenced by lines like "Mess around you'll find my silk boxers in your Mommy's hamper."
At its core, MVP is a celebration of Big L's artistry and his status as one of the most talented rappers on the scene at the time. He repeatedly declares himself the "most valuable poet on the M.I.C," and if rap was a game, he'd certainly be the MVP. He thanks DJs for showing him love on their mixtapes, boasts about breaking through with "mad crews," and notes that battles are something he just doesn't lose. The chorus is anthemic, with Big L declaring himself the most valuable poet on the mic, the clear standout in a crowded field of talented emcees.
Overall, MVP is a thrilling portrait of a young rapper at the top of his game, brimming with confidence and swagger. It combines social commentary, lyrical skill, and a sense of humor into a package that's emblematic of the best of New York hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Aiyyo spark up the phillies and pass the stout
Let's light up some cigars and drink some beer
Make it quick money grip or your ass is out
Hurry up with that cigar and beer or leave
In a street brawl, I strike men quicker than lightning
I'm a quick and skilled fighter
You seen what happened in my last fight friend, aight then
Remember what happened in my last fight?
L's a clever threat, a lyricist who never sweat
I'm a clever artist who doesn't struggle with writing lyrics
Comparing yourself to me is like a Benz to a Chevrolette
You can't match up to me at all
And clown rappers I'm bound to slay
I'll easily defeat weak rappers
I'm saying hi to all the cuties from around the way
Shoutout to all the attractive girls nearby
Yeah cause I got all of them sprung Jack
I have all of them interested in me
My girls are like boomerangs
No matter what, they always come back to me
No matter how far I throw them they come back
No matter how long we've been apart, they still come back to me
I'm coming straight out the N.Y.C
I'm from New York City
I'm down with Diggin In The Crates and I'm MVP
I'm associated with Diggin In The Crates and I'm the most valuable poet
If rap was a game I'll be M.V.P
If rap was a competition, I'd be the MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
I'm the best rapper out there
Yo it's a must that I get papes
It's important that I make money
Peace to all the DJ's who gave me love on they mixtapes
Shoutout to all the DJs who supported me on their mixtapes
And once again the man's back with a dance track
I'm back with a song that makes people want to dance
So here's your chance Jack to get loose and let your hands clap
Here's an opportunity to dance and clap your hands
I got juice like beaucoup, mad crews I broke through
I have a lot of influence and I've defeated many groups
Brothers be mad cause I hit more chicks than they spoke to
People are jealous that I'm more successful with women than they are
And everytime I'm in a jam I always find a loophole
I always find a way out of trouble
I got a crime record longer than Manute Bol
I have a long history of criminal activity
And my raps are unbelievable like aliens and flying saucers
My lyrics are so good, they seem unreal like aliens and flying saucers
No more iron horses cause I'm buying Porsches
I'm upgrading from motorcycles to luxury cars
Peace to the Kid Capri, I'm MVP
Shoutout to Kid Capri and I'm still the most valuable poet
Battles I lose none, I make crews run
I never lose rap battles and I make groups give up
I get fools done, got ten fingers but only use one
I quickly defeat people and only need one finger to do it
I run up like Machine Gun Kelly with a black skully
I approach people quickly and aggressively
Put one in your belly, leave you smelly, then take your Pelle Pelle
I'll shoot you in the stomach, leave you hurt and take your clothes
I'm the neighborhood lamper, punani vamper
I'm known for pursuing and seducing women in the area
Mess around you'll find my silk boxers in your Mommy's hamper
If you mess with me, you might find my underwear in your mother's laundry
And nowadays girls want you for your money
Women are often interested in men because of their wealth
I'm like Hev, I got nothing but love for you honey
Like Heavy D, I have sincere affection for women
And since I'm looking slick and my pockets are thick
Because I look good and have a lot of money
I need surgery to get chicks removed from my
I have so many women interested in me that I need surgery to remove them
Rap's my J-O-B, and I'm MVP
Rapping is my career and I'm still the most valuable poet
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ETTERLENE JORDAN, MARK DWAYNE DEBARGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xspectd
[ Lyrics ]
On the mic is Big L, on the mic is Big L
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Ayo, spark up the phillies and pass the stout
Make it quick money grip or your ass is out
In a street brawl, I strike men quicker than lightning
You seen what happened in my last fight, friend? A'ight, then
L's a clever threat, a lyricist who never sweat
Comparing yourself to me is like a Benz to a Chevrolette
And clown rappers I'm bound to slay
I'm saying hi to all the cuties from around the way
Yeah, 'cause I got all of them sprung, Jack
My girls are like boomerangs
No matter how far I throw them, they come back
I'm coming straight out the NYC
I'm down with Diggin' In The Crates and I'm MVP
If rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, if rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, it's a must that I get papes
Peace to all the DJ's who gave me love on they mixtapes
And once again, the man's back with a dance track
So here's your chance, Jack, to get loose and let your hands clap
I got juice like Boku, mad crews I broke through
Brothers be mad 'cause I hit more chicks than they spoke to
And everytime I'm jammed I always find a loophole
I got a crime record longer than Manute Bol
And my raps are unbelievable like aliens and flying saucers
No more iron horses 'cause I'm buying Porsches
Coming straight out the NYC
Peace to the Kid Capri, I'm MVP
If rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, if rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
If rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, if rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Battles, I lose none, I make crews run
I get fools done, got ten fingers but only use one
I run up like Machine Gun Kelly with a black skully
Put one in your belly, leave you smelly, then take your Pelle Pelle
I'm the neighborhood lamper, punani vamper
Mess around you'll find my silk boxers in your Mommy's hamper
And nowadays girls want you for your money
I'm like Hev, I got nothing but love for you, honey
And since I'm looking slick and my pockets are thick
I need surgery to get chicks removed from my (chill)
I'm coming straight out the NYC
Rap's my J-O-B, and I'm MVP
If rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, if rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
If rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
Yo, if rap was a game, I'll be MVP
The most valuable poet on the M.I.C
@camagwinibazi2614
His life was taken at 24 and we still here 24 years later listening to greatness. Continue RIP Big L
@bellobambo2996
Big l.
Rest in peace
@silfver8744
I'm so sad none of my friends listen to old school, they are missing out on masterpieces like this
@miiiiisvibes
You're not special 😭
@rapeomelhorestilomusical
Most of my friends dont even know who the fuck is big l or prodigy foe exemple
@Cytise91
@Tomás Rodriguez shut the f up youngsta
@big_14_93
new school>old school 🤷♂️
@Cytise91
@tree lol shut up pls explain how it’s better
@SugaFree2387
This guy is just on another level when it comes to flow, lyrics, and just pure smoothness. Why do talents like this have to perish so fast.
@skullcow9991
Brightest stars burn out the fastest, L is so incredibly underrated