"The crown is still mine cause I drop ill rhymes." Big L, Rest In Peace.
On February 15, 1999, one of the game's illest and most acclaimed lyricists, Lamont "Big L" Coleman, was gunned down in Harlem, the city he repped his entire life. He was only 24 years old.
There is no doubt the Flamboyant Entertainment CEO was destined for great things, including a possible deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, led, at the time, by Dame Dash.
Jay-Z described Big L as a "very talented writer" who had the "ability to write big records and big choruses," and Nas said that he was actually scared the first time he heard L: "I was scared to death. I was like there's no way I can compete if this is what I gotta compete with."
Hov and Nas were right--Big L was a force to be reckoned with; a lyrical powerhouse and incredible storyteller who brought us some of the dopest punchlines in hip-hop history.
In honor of the 16th anniversary of his death, HNHH presents Big L's sixteen best punchlines.