Way Back: Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous (1995)
L's a clever threat, a lyricist who never sweat
Comparing yourself to me is like a Benz to a Chevrolette
- Big L on “M.V.P.”
Harlem rapper, Big L released his debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous on March 28, 1995.
It’s said that Big L didn’t begin writing rhymes until the age of 16. Meeting Lord Finesse at a party when he was 18 helped him to earn his first professional credits with the DITC crew in the early 90’s. He rapped alongside Finesse, Buckwild, Diamond D, Fat Joe, and others on a few tracks in the early 90’s before striking out on his own with Columbia Records.
The album starts with “Put It On” featuring Kid Capri. L showcases his aggressive style and wordplay while shouting his hood and his people. He briefly references Children of the Corn, a group he formed with Cam’ron, Mase, and a few others. He’s been credited for encouraging Cam and Mase to take rap more seriously, as they were previously pursuing careers in basketball.
“M.V.P.” is an outlier in Big L’s catalog. It has a singer on the chorus and a Debarge sample. Producer, Lord Finesse said in an interview that Biggie’s team got the idea for the “One More Chance” (remix) from this track, as they utilized the same sample. For Biggie, it was another hit, where L’s just seemed to pass by. L’s goal on this track was to have a catchy R&B style loop that people could connect to. His strategy was effective, just for a different New York rapper.
L makes up for the sappy single with the very next track. “No Endz, No Skinz” sees L warns fellas about Gold Diggers in the same way Kanye would a decade later.
The album has two posse cuts, with the first being “8 Iz Enuff”. Big L leads a track that features seven guest MCs, including a young Cam’ron that went by Killa Kam. One of the things that separates L from other great MCs of his era, was his consistent use of compacting, or two-syllable rhymes like he did here:
I put chumps to rest fast, when my Smith-Wes' blast
So just dash or trespass and get your chest smashed
Along with internal rhyme, L provides about 5 pairs of rhyming syllables in the same space that many rappers can only come up with 2.
The next posse cut was “Da Graveyard” that features a young Jay Z and underground king, Grand Daddy I.U.
The mission on this album was clear. L relied on the cool gangster braggadocio that practically defined his era. It was his debut, and it didn’t show any of the social perspective that accrues with veteran MC’s. That growth would have to come on later projects.
I don't roll with punks I only roll with live guys
And we do drivebys in 325is
I had beef with this thief named Randolph
Now he's in a casket dressed up with his hands crossed
After his debut, Big just couldn’t align with the creative vision that Columbia Records had for him. The label dropped him, so he began work on his second album on his own independent imprint, Flamboyant Entertainment. The single “Ebonics” caught the attention of former Roc-A-Fella Records CEO, Dame Dash. This would be it, L could finally sign with an established crew that not only understands his artistic style but promotes it. They began talks on a deal on February 8, 1999, and Big L would be killed in a drive-by shooting exactly one week later.
(left to right) Big L, Dame Dash, Ski, and Jay Z in 1998. L nearly signed with Roc-A-Fella in 1999 just a week before his death.
Unfortunately, for fans, L came from the era when street life and hip hop were still very much intertwined. NYPD suspected that he was slain in retaliation for something his brother may’ve done. The type of authenticity he aimed for in his music came at the ultimate cost. Still, his demise never stopped a generation of listeners from appreciating his talent and keeping him on the short list of underground greats. That rep started on Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous.
