Thirty years ago today, Harlem’s own Big L released his debut and only full-length studio album, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, on Columbia Records. Though his time in the game was tragically cut short, this album solidified his status as one of the most gifted lyricists to ever touch a mic.
As The Source put it at the time, Big L came with “ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run.” But beyond showcasing his own razor-sharp wordplay, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous also introduced the world to two future legends—an unknown Killa Cam and a rising Jay-Z—who would go on to shape Hip Hop in their own right.
The album was heavily produced by Lord Finesse, with additional contributions from Showbiz and Buckwild, making it a true Diggin’ In The Crates (D.I.T.C.) project. Reflecting on the posse cut 8 Iz Enuff, Lord Finesse recalled Big L’s determination to put on for his neighborhood. “L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, ‘How you gonna put eight n****s on one track?’ [And he was like], ‘Don’t worry, I got this.’” And he absolutely did.
Tragically, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous would be the only album released during Big L’s lifetime, as he was fatally shot in Harlem in 1999.
Salute to Big L aka Lamont Coleman (RIP), Lord Finesse, Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Grand Daddy I.U., and everyone who helped make this album a timeless piece of hip-hop history!