Some of my favorite rappers are either A: from New York, B: dead or C: both. It’s a bittersweet and sobering truth, unfortunately.
Lamont Coleman — aka, Big L — falls into the “C” category. From Harlem (or the “Danger Zone,” as he called it), L was a gifted lyricist with a literal “Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon”-esque ties to some of today’s most influential rappers and their contemporaries (JAY-Z, Cam’ron, Ma$e, Fat Joe). Tragically, he was gunned down in 1999 at the age of 24, just as rumors began to surface that he was going to sign to Roc-A-Fella Records.
Certified Classics has teamed with Mass Appeal for a forthcoming mini-documentary on the fallen rapper, Foul Child: The Legend of Big L, ahead of the 25th anniversary of L’s debut album Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous. Debuting May 29th, the day before what would have been L’s 46th birthday, Foul Child will chronicle “the trajectory of the profoundly influential and visionary” rapper.
“We are honored to be a part of this exciting project with Certified, and humbled by the opportunity to celebrate the rap legend and uptown icon, Big L,” said Peter Bittenbender, CEO of Mass Appeal, in a statement. “We hope that this short documentary inspires the creation of a larger, full length piece to tell more of his incredible story. Although just a small piece of the puzzle, we’re proud to unleash something for L’s fans to give a unique glimpse into his legacy surrounding the 25th anniversary of Big L’s landmark debut album.”
Watch a trailer of the doc, below.
