Childhood
Born in the South Bronx of Puerto Rican descent during the early years of hip-hop, Christopher Rios grew up enjoying basketball, boxing, and other sports. He met his wife Liza in the eighth grade. At the age of five, he broke his leg in a Manhattan municipal park, resulting in a lawsuit against the City of New York, later settled out of court. He received a lot of money in compensation. By all accounts from Pun's family, his early years were very difficult, including witnessing his mother's drug abuse, his father leaving the family, and a stepfather who was very hard on Pun. According to his grandmother, Pun would become angry and self-destructive, punching holes in the walls of his family's apartment and eating the chunks of drywall rocks . At the age of 17, Rios dropped out of Stevenson High School and for some time was homeless, staying in abandoned buildings or at friends' homes.
Career
Sometime during the '80s, he formed the Full a Clips Crew with Triple Seis, Prospect and Cuban Link who was at the time named "Lyrical Assassin". At this point Big Pun was operating under the alias Big Moon Dawg. Rios met fellow Puerto Rican and Bronx rapper Fat Joe in 1995 and made his commercial debut on Joe's second album, Jealous One's Envy, in addition to appearing on a b-side to Joe's "Envy" single, "Fire Water."
Later, "I'm Not a Player" (featuring an O'Jays sample) was supported by a significant advertising campaign and became an underground hit. The song's remix, "Still Not a Player" (featuring Joe), became Big Pun's first major mainstream hit. His full-length debut Capital Punishment followed in 1998, and was the first album by a solo Latino rapper to go platinum, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200. Capital Punishment was also nominated for a Grammy, but lost out on the award to Jay-Z's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life. He became a member of The Terror Squad, a New York-based group of rappers founded by Fat Joe, with most of the roster supplied by the now-defunct Full a Clips Crew.
Death
Despite his athletic adolescence, Big Pun struggled with his weight for most of his life; his weight fluctuated in the early 90's between obese and morbidly obese. In the last years of his life he fluctuated between 450 and 697 pounds. Big Pun enrolled in a weight-loss program in North Carolina, in which he lost 100 pounds, but he eventually quit the program before completing it, returning to New York and gaining back the weight he had lost. On February 7, 2000, Big Pun suffered a fatal heart attack and respiratory failure in a hotel, Crowne Plaza, in White Plains, NY.
Posthumous works
His second album, Yeeeah Baby, completed before his death, was issued as scheduled in April 2000. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts and earned gold record status within three months of its release. It eventually went platinum. A second posthumous album, Endangered Species, was released in April of 2001. Endangered Species collected some of Pun's "greatest hits," previously unreleased material, numerous guest appearances, and remixed "greatest verses." As with his other albums, it also peaked in the top ten of the Billboard 200, reaching #7, but didn't sell as much as the previous Pun albums had.
In recent times, Big Punisher was featured with Fat Joe on "Duets: The Final Chapter," an album of tracks featuring the Notorious B.I.G, also deceased. The track "Get Your Grind On" begins with a Big Pun radio interview in which he said he would perform a duet with Biggie at the gates of heaven. Punisher was also featured on a track from the revived Terror Squad's second album, True Story, on the track "Bring 'Em Back" with Big L.
Sony Records has been considering releasing a second posthumous album featuring unreleased material, but the project is being delayed by Sony. Liza Rios also held an auction in 2005 for her deceased husband's Terror Squad medallion, citing financial difficulties in the wake of Pun's death, and again claiming to have not received any royalty checks for Pun's posthumous album sales (save for a small check from the sales of Endangered Species).
Lyrical ability and technique
Big Pun rapped at high speeds. He used huge multies and internal rhyme schemes. He showcased his punchline capabilities on 'Dream Shatterer', multies and flow in 'Twinz', 'You ain't a Killer' and 'Boomerang'. He was influenced heavily by Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. He also showcased superior topic versatility ranging from street life to sex/relationships and politics to social injustice.
Boomerang
Big Pun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a portion of prod' off the top for my Porsche and my yacht
Somethin for the cops to keep em blind, so we can crime
with piece of mind, turn the key and shine without bein down
Time to expand, New York to Chicago, Colorado
You know my motto, clock G's and rock keys like Drago
Pablo Escobar and Dom Perignon
We're buyin out the bar, with Don Juan, and every woman's Shawn Dawn-ing
fuckin suckin the butt like liposuction
Up and down with the tongue twister, c'mon on sister
Big Pun's used to cock and squeeze like a gun tester
Crushin sister's backs with the demon snap, hit you from the back
Close your eyes relax, let me feed the cat
Livin fat, true mack, niggaz was catchin feelings
Dealing with a smaller deck it just wasn't as mass appealing
I started feeling funny, niggaz comin short with money
I called my Son he told me chill he'd be over with twenty
Punny what's the deal, niggaz wanna kill me
He said it's real, they jealous and tired of seein me Willie silly
Had more to claim, niggaz throwin shit in the game
Gave my wife some pictures with me and bitches runnin the train
It's like a dream, I called my team and started flippin
Lock the clip in started liftin niggaz off the ground like a magician
I skipped town, be back around when things quiet down
I lost the war for now but it'll take more to hold me down
"Top of the world ma! Ha ha, top of the world!"
Chorus:
Yo, this is the bad time - boomerang, bring it all back
Flashback, livin prosper', eat well and get fat
I was Pop Dula, popular to the masses
I miss the E-Classes, rocking game with def glasses
Rock bottom struck and threw my world off it's axis
Boomerang - plan to come back like Bronx rap
Storm like the Redcoats through anything in my path
First you shine like sterling, then you broke like Rick and Pearling
[Big Punisher]
Now should I slit my wrists, go for it all or call it quits
Picture me taking my life, leaving my wife and my daughter shit
Wish I could slip back, and switch the memories
Lift the felonies from my record I respected my enemies
Live like the Kennedy's, above the law, fuck em all
I'm coming for the rich thieving em even if I wasn't poor
I seen it all like I said before
The streets are for men at war and the beasts are the predators
I shed it all first and beat a prob every source?
Of course, I bury any adversary tryin to floss
Just because, the reason I leave em lost in the sauce
Teein off like we up North just for bein soft
A beaten horse like a slave gettin minimum wage
Fillin the gauge, front page, these are the last days
Cash pays, and rules - the root of all evil
Shootin amigos for lootin perico pollutin our people
Movin kilos like it's all good, through every ghetto
I ain't judgin, but buggin how we floss so many levels
The devil's got us by the balls, that's why the law allows
the drugs to overflood, knowin we gonna buy it all
It's time to call a world order where every girl's your daughter
and priceless as ices and pearls fresh out the water
I'm gonna get mine, either from crime, or through the bible
Whichever way, you better pay, I'm feelin suicidal
Chorus
In the first verse of Big Pun's song Boomerang, he talks about the need to start extorting from those who are flossing too much, stealing some off the top to fund his own lavish lifestyle with a Porsche and yacht. He talks about expanding from New York all the way to Chicago and Colorado, making money through drugs and illicit activities. He name drops Pablo Escobar and Dom Perignon, both notorious for their connections to the drug world. He boasts about buying out bars and satisfying women with his long dong, all while feeling invincible despite the danger he's in.
In the second verse, Big Pun talks about everything crashing down on him. People were coming for him and he had to skip town to avoid getting killed. He laments about what could have been different with his life, how he wishes he could remove the felonies from his record and live above the law like the Kennedys. But the life he led was one of struggle, with battles against enemies and feeling like there was no other way to get what he wanted but through crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggaz is flossin a lot, time to start extortin' the plot
People are showing off their wealth, so it's time to start taking a cut of the profits for myself.
Just a portion of prod' off the top for my Porsche and my yacht
Just a small percentage of the profits will do for my expensive car and boat.
Somethin for the cops to keep em blind, so we can crime
We need to give the police a bribe so they won't interfere with our illegal activities.
with piece of mind, turn the key and shine without bein down
We can relax and enjoy our wealth without fear of getting caught.
Time to expand, New York to Chicago, Colorado
It's time to expand our criminal activities to other cities and states.
You know my motto, clock G's and rock keys like Drago
My motto is to make money and distribute drugs like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.
Pablo Escobar and Dom Perignon
We're drinking expensive alcohol like the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar.
We're buyin out the bar, with Don Juan, and every woman's Shawn Dawn-ing
We're buying drinks for all the ladies and trying to seduce them like Don Juan.
Long donging em down like Shawn Michael does and I'm like a psycho
I'm having sex with the ladies like Shawn Michaels and it's making me feel crazy.
fuckin suckin the butt like liposuction
I'm performing anal sex and it feels as intense as liposuction.
Up and down with the tongue twister, c'mon on sister
I'm performing oral sex with skill and asking the woman to enjoy it.
Big Pun's used to cock and squeeze like a gun tester
Big Punisher has experience with shooting guns and is good at it.
Crushin sister's backs with the demon snap, hit you from the back
I'm having sex with the women in a rough manner, thrusting from behind.
Close your eyes relax, let me feed the cat
Relax and enjoy as I perform oral sex on you.
Livin fat, true mack, niggaz was catchin feelings
I'm living a luxurious lifestyle and some people are feeling envious.
Dealing with a smaller deck it just wasn't as mass appealing
There were limitations to his sex appeal, and he couldn't please everyone.
I started feeling funny, niggaz comin short with money
I'm starting to feel like my associates are starting to cheat me out of my share of the profits.
I called my Son he told me chill he'd be over with twenty
I called my friend Son and he assured me that he would come over with backup.
Punny what's the deal, niggaz wanna kill me
Punisher's friend Punny is asking what's going on because there are people who want to kill Punisher.
He said it's real, they jealous and tired of seein me Willie silly
Punny explained that it's serious, and they're jealous and tired of seeing Punisher flaunt his wealth.
Had more to claim, niggaz throwin shit in the game
There are more people trying to intervene and cause problems for Punisher's criminal activities.
Gave my wife some pictures with me and bitches runnin the train
Punisher gave his wife some photos of him having sex with multiple women.
It's like a dream, I called my team and started flippin
It's surreal, so I called my associates and started planning a counter-attack.
Lock the clip in started liftin niggaz off the ground like a magician
Punisher loaded his gun and started shooting, lifting people off the ground like a magic trick.
I skipped town, be back around when things quiet down
Punisher left town and plans to return when things have calmed down and are less dangerous.
I lost the war for now but it'll take more to hold me down
Punisher may have lost the current battle, but it will take more to keep him from returning.
"Top of the world ma! Ha ha, top of the world!"
I feel like I'm on top of the world and nothing can stop me.
Yo, this is the bad time - boomerang, bring it all back
This is a difficult time, but I know that everything will come back around eventually.
Flashback, livin prosper', eat well and get fat
Remembering the good times when I was rich and could afford to eat well and live a luxurious lifestyle.
I was Pop Dula, popular to the masses
I was known and admired by many people.
I miss the E-Classes, rocking game with def glasses
I miss driving a Mercedes E-Class and looking cool in my sunglasses.
Rock bottom struck and threw my world off it's axis
I hit rock bottom and it caused my life to spiral out of control.
Boomerang - plan to come back like Bronx rap
I plan to come back stronger, like the Bronx rap scene.
Storm like the Redcoats through anything in my path
I am determined to overcome any obstacles in my way, like the British Redcoats in a battle.
First you shine like sterling, then you broke like Rick and Pearling
First you are successful and shining bright, then you can become broke and fall apart like the baseball player Rick and Pearling.
Now should I slit my wrists, go for it all or call it quits
I am struggling with suicidal thoughts and unsure whether to risk everything or give up.
Picture me taking my life, leaving my wife and my daughter shit
I am picturing myself committing suicide and the aftermath for my family.
Wish I could slip back, and switch the memories
I wish I could go back in time and change some of the choices I made in my life.
Lift the felonies from my record I respected my enemies
I wish I could erase my criminal record and show respect to my enemies instead of fighting with them.
Live like the Kennedy's, above the law, fuck em all
I wish I could live like the Kennedy family, without consequences and not caring about anyone else.
I'm coming for the rich thieving em even if I wasn't poor
I am determined to seek revenge on the rich people who are stealing from others, even if I wasn't struggling financially myself.
I seen it all like I said before
I have experienced everything before and know how it all goes down.
The streets are for men at war and the beasts are the predators
The streets are a dangerous place where only the strong survive.
I shed it all first and beat a prob every source?
I got rid of everything I had and defeated any potential enemies.
Of course, I bury any adversary tryin to floss
Of course, I will defeat anyone who tries to challenge my power.
Just because, the reason I leave em lost in the sauce
I do it just because I can and leave them feeling confused and unable to fight back.
Teein off like we up North just for bein soft
I am attacking people just because they look weak and vulnerable like they would be in the North.
A beaten horse like a slave gettin minimum wage
I am attacking people relentlessly, like a slave who is overworked and underpaid.
Fillin the gauge, front page, these are the last days
I am loading my gun and making headlines, as these are the last days of my life.
Cash pays, and rules - the root of all evil
Money and power are the source of all evil.
Shootin amigos for lootin perico pollutin our people
I am shooting people who are stealing and selling drugs that harm our community.
Movin kilos like it's all good, through every ghetto
People are moving drugs like it's no big deal, and it's happening in every low-income neighborhood.
I ain't judgin, but buggin how we floss so many levels
I'm not criticizing how people are showing off their wealth, but it does bother me how excessive it is.
The devil's got us by the balls, that's why the law allows
We are under the control of the devil, and that's why the law allows certain criminal activities to continue.
It's time to call a world order where every girl's your daughter
It's time for us to create a new world order where every woman is treated as someone's daughter and respected.
and priceless as ices and pearls fresh out the water
Women should be treated as precious and valuable, like ice and pearls fresh out of the water.
I'm gonna get mine, either from crime, or through the bible
I am determined to get my wealth by any means necessary, whether it's through crime or religious means.
Whichever way, you better pay, I'm feelin suicidal
I will get my money by any means necessary, and if you stand in my way, I may kill myself out of despair.
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John DLC
one verse from puns track better than ever niggas album since pun passing .
''Now should I slit my wrists, go for it all or call it quits
Picture me taking my life, leaving my wife and my daughter shit
Wish I could slip back, and switch the memories
Lift the felonies from my record I respected my enemies
Live like the Kennedy's, above the law, fuck 'em all
I'm coming for the rich thieving 'em even if I wasn't poor
I seen it all like I said before
The streets are for men at war and the beasts are the predators
I shed it all first ?and beat a prob every source?
Of course, I bury any adversary tryin' to floss
Just because, the reason I leave 'em lost in the sauce
Teein' off like we up North just for bein soft
A beaten horse like a slave gettin' minimum wage
Fillin the gauge, front page, these are the last days
Cash pays, and rules, the root of all evil
Shootin' amigos for lootin' perrico pollutin' our people
Movin' kilos like it's all good, through every ghetto
I ain't judgin', but buggin how we floss so many levels
The devil's got us by the balls, that's why the law allows
The drugs to overflood, knowin' we gonna buy it all
It's time to call a world order where every girl's your daughter
And priceless as ices and pearls fresh out the water
I'm gonna get mine, either from crime, or through the bible
Whichever way, you better pay, I'm feelin' suicidal"
Jump Rope Veteran
"I called my team and started flippin, locked the clip in, started liftin' n****s off the ground like a magician." - One of my favorite Pun sequences. RIP!
boombapk1d
this is how u start a party
Wayne Martin
🔥🔥🔥🐐
Colter
Bro that line! Bars son 🔥
777uptown
Fuck yeah,yo that shit amps me up to the fullest.
CengizJihat
That s the 90 th best one
that aint falco
This man flowed like an unstoppable force
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT, RTD.
One of Big Pun's best songs. Boomerang was one of the more underrated songs on Capital Punishment (1998).
kevin young
I can listen to just this song over and over on a hour long car ride to work everyday and not get tired of it.
Johanan
Pun put his heart & soul in this album. And son dropped mad jewels on this track. His vision was different. RIP BIG PUN!!!!!! A real & true rapper, lyricist & MC. You'll never be forgotten. BX stand up!!!!