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.
Platinum Plus
Big L Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big L takin' over the streets
Flamboyant Entertainment
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"The game is called rap"
"My-whole, my, my whole crew wild"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"The game is called rap"
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
"My-whole, my, my whole crew wild"
Yo, I'm straight loco, to hell with you and your broke hoe
You ain't a big dog, you more like Toto, you got no dough
I smoke 'dro mixed with cocoa, strong as bolo
I pack a fo'-fo', platinum ro-ro
Anti-homo, that's a no-no so fuck po'-po'
I push the seven-fo'-oh and not the Volvo
See-Town push the six-oh-oh, I'm with a bitch on dolo
Chips from here to Acapulco
While y'all buck for legs I, buck for heads
I even buck celebs, nigga fuck the feds
My underground niggas, y'all can shine with me
Got my own label now, so y'all can sign with me
Y'all can take me from the bottom and climb with me
That's fine with me, that's how it was designed to be
Ey yo, gats we bust (backs we crush)
Only hot tracks we lust (crazy stacks we clutch)
And we need plaques to touch (that say platinum plus)
'Cause half of you niggas that's rappin' now (is wack to us)
Ey yo, gats we bust (backs we crush)
Only hot tracks we lust (crazy stacks we clutch)
And we need plaques to touch (that say platinum plus)
'Cause half of you niggas that's rappin' now (is wack to us)
And cats still wonder can they get as hot as he been
That probably depends, let me show you how to begin
Bang chicks in Marriotts down to Quality Inns
Hit the bar spend cash like Monopoly ends
Plushed out, rock gators and exotical skins
Come in the hood, flippin the chicken and broccoli Timbs
Niggas come in the game, block they shot at the rim
That ain't in you the fuck you gon' possibly win?
I do it, "Booty Calls" on the Blackstreet Teddy tip
Keep a steady grip, make cream just like Ready Whip
Heavy with, styles that's the deadliest
Cats on that petty shit watch how much lead he get
You tryin' to go places, chasin Oasis
About nothin' gettin' low wages
Drink Hennessey with no chasers
Right hook is like Joe Frasier's
I'm the bodacious
Body parts are big and like Schwarz-a-niggas
Smokin' Garcia Vega tryin' to get the larger paper
If you, block the cash, we lockin ass
I'ma put it in your chest like a Stockton pass
Only out to earn figures like we please
But I don't mind to burn niggas like CD's
Now exhibit, styles I kick with it
Pardon me, but I'm fuckin' sickwiddit
Ey yo, gats we bust (backs we crush)
Only hot tracks we lust (crazy stacks we clutch)
And we need plaques to touch (that say platinum plus)
'Cause half of you niggas that's rappin' now (is wack to us)
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
"My-whole, my, my whole crew wild"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"The game is called rap"
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
"My-whole, my, my whole crew wild"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"The game is called rap"
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
"My-whole, my, my whole crew wild"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
"What y'all bout to witness"
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
The lyrics of "Platinum Plus" by Big L describe his domination of the rap game and the superiority of his crew, Flamboyant Entertainment. Big L boasts about his smoking habits, gun possession, and wealth, which he showcases with his luxurious lifestyle. He's unapologetic about his anti-gay views and hatred for the police, all while proclaiming himself as the king of rap. He invites other underground rappers to join him on his journey to the top, as he has started his own record label.
The chorus of "Platinum Plus" reveals that the title of the song refers to the platinum plaques that successful rappers receive for their albums. Big L is so confident in himself and his crew that he believes they deserve these accolades. The repetition of "other MC's ain't got a chance at all" emphasizes his belief in his supremacy and his disdain for other rappers.
Overall, "Platinum Plus" is a lyrically aggressive song that exemplifies Big L's style and persona.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo yo what the fuck man?
Big L is introducing himself in a provocative way
Big L takin' over the streets
Big L is asserting himself as a rapper who commands the streets
Flamboyant Entertainment
Big L's crew is called Flamboyant Entertainment
"What y'all bout to witness"
Big L is confident in his skills and is about to demonstrate them
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
Big L's crew is known for being wild and crazy
"The game is called rap"
Big L is referring to the music industry and how he excels in rap
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
Big L is confident in his talents and is saying that other rappers can't compete with him
"Yo, I'm straight loco, to hell with you and your broke hoe"
Big L is asserting himself as crazy and doesn't want to deal with people who don't have money
"You ain't a big dog, you more like Toto, you got no dough"
Big L is saying that people who don't have money are not worth his time
"I smoke 'dro mixed with cocoa, strong as bolo"
Big L is saying that he smokes a strong combination of marijuana and cocaine
"I pack a fo'-fo', platinum ro-ro"
Big L carries a .44 caliber gun and drives a luxury car
"Anti-homo, that's a no-no so fuck po'-po'"
Big L is against homosexuality and hates the police
"I push the seven-fo'-oh and not the Volvo"
Big L drives a luxurious 750 BMW and not a practical Volvo
"See-Town push the six-oh-oh, I'm with a bitch on dolo"
Big L is referring to his friend See-Town who drives a 600 Mercedes and is alone with a woman
"Chips from here to Acapulco"
Big L's crew has a lot of money and is wealthy
"While y'all buck for legs I, buck for heads"
Big L is saying that while other people fight for minor things, he fights to defeat his competition
"I even buck celebs, nigga fuck the feds"
Big L is saying that he will even battle and take out famous people and hates law enforcement
"My underground niggas, y'all can shine with me"
Big L is loyal to his crew and wants to help them succeed
"Got my own label now, so y'all can sign with me"
Big L has his own record label and is offering his crew to sign with him
"Y'all can take me from the bottom and climb with me"
Big L wants his crew to advance with him and is willing to bring them up from the bottom with him
"That's fine with me, that's how it was designed to be"
Big L is saying that he was meant to achieve success and have his crew come up with him
"Ey yo, gats we bust (backs we crush)"
Big L's crew is aggressive and will use weapons
"Only hot tracks we lust (crazy stacks we clutch)"
Big L's crew only wants to work with the best producers and cares about making money
"And we need plaques to touch (that say platinum plus)"
Big L's crew wants to achieve platinum sales status in the music industry
"Cause half of you niggas that's rappin' now (is wack to us)"
Big L's crew doesn't think highly of most of the current rap scene
"And cats still wonder can they get as hot as he been"
Big L is recognized and respected for his success in the music industry
"That probably depends, let me show you how to begin"
Big L is confident in his ability to guide others to success
"Bang chicks in Marriotts down to Quality Inns"
Big L is bragging about having sex with women in luxurious hotels down to budget motels
"Hit the bar spend cash like Monopoly ends"
Big L likes to spend money recklessly
"Plushed out, rock gators and exotical skins"
Big L is wearing expensive alligator and exotic skin clothing
"Come in the hood, flippin the chicken and broccoli Timbs"
Big L is selling drugs and wearing Timberland boots in the hood
"Niggas come in the game, block they shot at the rim"
Big L is saying that he will block other rappers' attempts to become successful
"That ain't in you the fuck you gon' possibly win?"
Big L is saying that if a rapper doesn't have what it takes to make it in the music industry, they won't be successful
"I do it, \"Booty Calls\" on the Blackstreet Teddy tip"
Big L enjoys casual sex and is referencing a popular R&B song by Blackstreet
"Keep a steady grip, make cream just like Ready Whip"
Big L is good at making money and wants to keep it that way
"Heavy with, styles that's the deadliest"
Big L thinks that his rap style is the deadliest
"Cats on that petty shit watch how much lead he get"
Big L is warning others not to mess with him and not to be petty
"You tryin' to go places, chasin Oasis"
Big L is saying that other rappers are trying to become famous like the band Oasis
"About nothin' gettin' low wages"
Big L is saying that other rappers are trying to make money without achieving real success
"Drink Hennessey with no chasers"
Big L likes to drink Hennessy without needing a chaser
"Right hook is like Joe Frasier's"
Big L's right hook is powerful and strong like the famous boxer Joe Frazier's punch
"I'm the bodacious"
Big L is confident in himself and is calling himself bold and impressive
"Body parts are big and like Schwarz-a-niggas"
Big L likes to wear clothing made by the designer Karl Kani
"Smokin' Garcia Vega tryin' to get the larger paper"
Big L wants to make a lot of money and is smoking Garcia Vega cigars
"If you, block the cash, we lockin ass"
Big L and his crew will resort to violence if someone interferes with their money
"I'ma put it in your chest like a Stockton pass"
Big L will punch someone hard in the chest like the famous basketball player John Stockton's difficult passes
"Only out to earn figures like we please"
Big L's main goal is to make as much money as possible on his own terms
"But I don't mind to burn niggas like CD's"
Big L doesn't mind destroying other rappers' careers like he would a CD
"Now exhibit, styles I kick with it"
Big L is showcasing his rap style
"Pardon me, but I'm fuckin' sickwiddit"
Big L is saying that he is really good and talented
"Other MC's ain't got a chance at all"
Big L is confident in his abilities as a rapper and doesn't view other rappers as competition
"My-my-my-my, my whole crew wild"
Big L's crew is known for being wild and crazy
"What y'all bout to witness"
Big L is announcing that he is about to demonstrate his skills as a rapper once again
"Big L, Big L, Big L"
Big L is asserting his name and presence as a rapper
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LAMONT COLEMAN, ANTONIO HARDY, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind