Christopher Lee Rios (November 9, 1971 - February 7, 2000), better known as Big Pun or Big Punisher, was a Puerto Rican American rapper who emerged from the underground rap scene in The Bronx in the late 1990s. He first appeared on albums from The Beatnuts on the track "Off the Books" and on Fat Joe's second album in 1995, Jealous One's Envy, on the track "Watch Out", prior to signing to Loud Records as a solo artist. Big Pun's career was cut short in 2000 at age 28 by a fatal heart attack due to his obesity. He is survived by a wife, Liza Rios, and three children. Big Pun was the first solo Latino rapper to sell over one million LPs. His first stage name was Big Moon Dawg. His name comes from the Marvel comic book anti-hero The Punisher.
Born in the Bronx during the early years of hip-hop, Christopher Rios grew up in an athletic tradition, enjoying basketball, boxing, and other sports. At the age of five, he broke his leg in a Manhattan municipal park, which would later (after several minimum wage jobs in New York and Miami, where he briefly relocated) net him a settlement from the city, to the tune of $500,000. At the age of 15, Pun dropped out of Stevenson High School. Sometime during the '80s, Rios began to write rap lyrics, forming the Full A Clips Crew with Triple Seis, Cuban Link, and Prospect. After meeting fellow Puerto Rican and Bronx rapper Fat Joe, in 1995, Pun became increasingly associated with him, making his commercial debut on Fat Joe's second album, Jealous Ones Envy (J.O.E.).
After an advertising blitz, "I'm Not a Player" (featuring an O'Jays sample) was 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 Latino rapper (and a Latino solo artist) to go platinum. Around this time, Big Pun became a member of The Terror Squad, a New-York-based group of Latino rappers founded by Fat Joe, with most of the roster supplied by the now-defunct Full A Clips Crew.
Big Pun was also a member of the Digging in the Crates Crew, alongside Fat Joe and various New York hip-hop legends such as Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Big L, and O.C.
Due to issues with his broken leg and drug abuse, Pun's health declined during these years. The once-athletic man struggled with overeating problems and weight issues for several years, his weight bounding between 450 and 700 pounds (200 and 300 kg). Though he checked into a North Carolina weight loss clinic and lost 80 pounds (35 kg), the final effort was not enough to save Pun's health. At the age of 28, on February 7, 2000, Big Pun died of a heart attack at 700 lbs. (300 kg).
Big Pun's second album, Yeeeah Baby, was already scheduled to be released at the time of his death, and was issued in March 2000. A second posthumous album, Endangered Species, was released in 2001, a collection of "greatest hits," new material, guest appearances, and remixed "greatest verses."
Pun's supporters generally praise him for his complex rhyme schemes, intricate wordplay, ability to stay on-beat, and relentless flow and breath control (despite his immense size, which would generally render his complex phrasing too difficult).
Super Lyrical
Big Punisher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tactical tracks match perfectly with graphical stats
Half a you lack the magical dap of tragical rap
That tackles you back and shackles and laughs at you
That's the mathematical madness I'm on, the savage, the strong
The marriage, a bond of havoc and song
This massacre's on as if Picasso laced you
There's lotsa hateful skeletons locked
I'm possum at grade school, that's why I have to debate you
My raps are like Capel, slashin' your face, you
That's how a master degrades you
I'm battlin' Jesus (hay-soos) if he passes through my label
I'm snatchin' his halo
God I pray that you send my father back as an angel
Language is fatal and it's hypnotizin'
I'm only emphasizin', I'm still all about business and enterprisin'
I'm super lyrical, a brain boosts the chemicals
That's used contenicals inside of my mental projectable
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent (Biggie)
Niggas'll tell you that I'm nice with the
Blah, blah, blah (Canibus)
Lyrically I'm I'm supposed to represent
Black Thought the super lyricist, your arch-nemesis
Still with the Punisher, that's my accomplice
Stressin' to emcees how they don't really want this
Electrifying shit his excellency Thought spit
These cats they sentimental such with a gentle touch
Dancin' double dutch and all sayin' nothin' much
My sound wave liftin' your chin up like uppercuts
New found ways of rippin' shit up, I de-ve-lop
Your squad chest swell up, still you're mini-ay-ture to me
Nature-ally I bring the extremity
Musically intense with the globe in suspense
Contemplatin' where the world traveler been since
The Roots bless you with a strong record, long like a epic
Immerse you in some 'ol next shit, ill poetic
Thought from Illadelph somethin' like nothin' else
My talk stomp like elephants upon every elf, 'cause what
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent
Niggas'll tell you that I'm nice with the blah, blah, blah
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent
You will lose I must break you [Ivan Drago from "Rocky"]
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent
Niggas'll tell you that I'm nice with the blah, blah, blah
Lyrically I'm-I'm-I'm
I'm supposed to represent
Ay-yo peace Roots east coast niggas reppin' the streets most
With heat, toast, and keep close more Phillies than Pete Rose
These dos, niggas that'll lift ya mentals
Lyrics'll twist your temples into pretzels
Like the "Triumph" instrumental
My instrumental's the Renaissance, no resem-ba-lance
To nothin' you come across, lyrical holocaust
The crowd pleaser emcees freeze then catch seizure
They praise the Lord of rap thesis, true believers
Just call me Baby Jesus 'cause lady niggas be praisin' me
Just for the way I blaze to be crazily, tape to CD lasery
It pays to be amazingly flavery
Daze 'em to my rhymes that basically hypnotize you occasionally
Occasionally as I focus on my next opus
The way it's all fucked up and emcees is hopeless
I leave your head wrecked as I erect scultpures
My thought's just a fortress, approach this ferocious up-closeness
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent
Niggas'll tell you that I'm nice with the blah, blah, blah
Lyrically I'm-I'm-I'm
I'm supposed to represent
Lyrically "It's suicide!"
Lyrically "You've seen him, you know how strong he is!"
Lyrically "You can't win!"
Lyrically "It's suicide!"
Lyrically "You've seen him, you know how strong he is!"
Lyrically "You can't win!"
Lyrically "You can't win!"
Lyrically "You will lose "
Lyrically "I must break you "
Ly-ly-ly-lyrically
The song "Super Lyrical" by Big Punisher featuring Black Thought is a boastful track packed with clever and intricate wordplay. The lyricist opens the song by stating his true strength in delivering murderous rap verses that match tactical tracks and graphic stats. He then criticizes other artists who lack the tragical rap that attacks and shackles them while he delivers the mathematical madness that equals savagery and a bond of havoc and song. The Punisher boasts that his raps are like Capel that slashes your face, and he's a master who degrades you. He even compares himself to Picasso, who laces you with hateful skeletons locked in the closet of his castle of Grayskull.
The second verse is performed by Black Thought from The Roots, who collaborates with the Punisher as his accomplice. He stresses to other emcees that they don't want this electrifying shit that he spits. He claims to lift you up with his sound waves like uppercuts, and even his new-found ways of ripping shit up are still miniature to him. Black Thought has been traveling worldwide and bringing extremity and music with intense vibes that keep the globe in suspense. His rhymes are immersed in some ol' next shit, and his thoughts from Illadelph are different from anything else.
In conclusion, the song "Super Lyrical" is an intricate and cleverly crafted rap track that showcases the talents of its performers. The lyrics are packed with intelligent and intricate wordplay that are sure to impress any hip-hop fan.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay-yo my murderous rap verbal attack is actual fact
My rapping is a lethal weapon, with lyrics so real that people cannot deny their truth
Tactical tracks match perfectly with graphical stats
My rhymes are strategic and calculated, and my music complements my clever wordplay
Half a you lack the magical dap of tragical rap
Most rappers are unable to capture the emotional depth and tragedy that I am able to convey in my lyrics
That tackles you back and shackles and laughs at you
My rap hits you with force and leaves you in a state of bondage, but I also mock and ridicule you for your inability to keep up
That's the mathematical madness I'm on, the savage, the strong
My style of rapping is a complex and precise formula, and I am ferocious and powerful in my execution
The marriage, a bond of havoc and song
My union with music is a beautiful and chaotic union that brings both destruction and harmony
This massacre's on as if Picasso laced you
My style of rapping is a work of art that is so brutal and violent, it is as if it were created by the master painter Picasso
There's lotsa hateful skeletons locked / In the closet of my castle of Grayskull
I have many dark secrets and negative emotions buried deep within me, just like the skeletons in the closet of the fictional castle of Grayskull
I'm possum at grade school, that's why I have to debate you
I was shy and timid as a child, which is why I now feel the need to challenge and debate anyone who questions my abilities
My raps are like Capel, slashin' your face, you
My rhymes are like a sharp blade that cuts through your skin like a sword
That's how a master degrades you
I am a master at the art of rap, and my ability to humiliate and shame you through my lyrics is unparalleled
I'm battlin' Jesus (hay-soos) if he passes through my label
I am so confident in my skills as a rapper that I would even dare to challenge the son of God himself, if he happened to be on my record label
I'm snatchin' his halo
If I were to battle Jesus, I would not only defeat him, but I would also take his holy aura or halo
God I pray that you send my father back as an angel
I wish that my deceased father could come back as a guardian angel to watch over me and guide me through life
Language is fatal and it's hypnotizin'
The power of language is incredibly strong, and once you are hooked by my rhymes, you cannot escape their hypnotic grasp
I'm only emphasizin', I'm still all about business and enterprisin'
I am simply highlighting the importance of my words, and how they can be used to further my career and achieve success
I'm super lyrical, a brain boosts the chemicals
My rapping is at a level that is beyond ordinary, and it stimulates chemicals in the brain that are responsible for pleasure and satisfaction
That's used contenicals inside of my mental projectable
My mind is constantly using creative energy to produce new and innovative lyrics
Lyrically I'm supposed to represent (Biggie)
I am meant to symbolize the greatness of hip hop and continue the legacy of legendary rapper Biggie Smalls
Niggas'll tell you that I'm nice with the / Blah, blah, blah (Canibus)
My skills as a rapper are so impressive and undeniable that people cannot find the words to describe them, resulting in repetitive and unenthusiastic praise
Black Thought the super lyricist, your arch-nemesis
I am a formidable opponent to any other rapper, and my skills as a lyrical master are unmatched
Still with the Punisher, that's my accomplice
I am still a member of the hip hop group The Punisher, and we work together to produce groundbreaking music
Stressin' to emcees how they don't really want this
I am warning other rappers about the intense competition and challenging nature of the rap game, and how they may not be prepared to face the obstacles that come with it
Electrifying shit his excellency Thought spit
My rap is a high-energy and electrifying experience that leaves my audience in awe of my talent
These cats they sentimental such with a gentle touch
Most rappers today are overly sensitive and lack the boldness and ferocity that characterized earlier generations of hip hop artists
Dancin' double dutch and all sayin' nothin' much
Many rappers today are simply jumping around and participating in empty, meaningless activities, without making a positive contribution to the genre
My sound wave liftin' your chin up like uppercuts
My music is so powerful that it hits you like a physical blow, lifting your spirits and making you feel strong and uplifted
New found ways of rippin' shit up, I de-ve-lop
I am constantly developing and refining my rhyming skills, coming up with new and innovative ways to create groundbreaking music
Your squad chest swell up, still you're mini-ay-ture to me
Although your team may be strong and impressive, you are still small and insignificant compared to my vast talent and experience
Nature-ally I bring the extremity
I am a naturally gifted rapper, and my skills are at the extreme end of the spectrum
Musically intense with the globe in suspense
My music is intense and powerful, and it has the ability to capture the attention of people around the world
Contemplatin' where the world traveler been since
As an experienced rapper, I am constantly reflecting on my journey and considering where my career path will take me next
The Roots bless you with a strong record, long like a epic
As a member of the hip hop group The Roots, we strive to make music that is both impactful and enduring, with songs that are epic in length and meaning
Immerse you in some 'ol next shit, ill poetic
Our music is so innovative and groundbreaking that it will transport you to a new realm of hip hop, with lyrics that are both sick and poetic
Thought from Illadelph somethin' like nothin' else
My rhyming style is unique and incomparable, and it defies categorization or comparison to other rappers
My talk stomp like elephants upon every elf, 'cause what
My commanding and powerful voice is like that of an elephant, stomping on anyone who dares to challenge me or my lyrics
Lyrically "It's suicide!"
My rap skills are so lethal that other rappers should not even attempt to come up against me in a battle
Lyrically "You've seen him, you know how strong he is!"
My reputation precedes me, and other rappers already know how talented and formidable I am
Lyrically "You can't win!"
If you attempt to challenge me in a rap battle, you are doomed to fail before you even begin
Lyrically "You will lose"
There is no possible outcome in which you will come out victorious after challenging me in a rap battle
Lyrically "I must break you "
If you attempt to challenge me in a rap battle, I will not only defeat you, but I will also destroy your confidence and pride in the process
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANA STINSON, CHRISTOPHER RIOS, SEAN COMBS, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, REGINALD GLENN ELLIS, NORMAN A. GLOVER, TARIK L. COLLINS, CARL THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind