Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), also known by his stage name Big L, was an rapper who made significant contributions to the New York City music scene in the 1990s as a member of the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. He was shot and killed in February 1999 before releasing his second album. Coleman rose to underground fame after the release of his debut album, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous.
Born in Harlem, Big L grew up with Cam’ron (who was known as Killa Cam at the time). Big L was regarded as one of the best of his time and along with Lord Finesse recorded many of his hits such as “You Know What im About” and “Yes you May (remix)”. Big L also regularly references in his lyrics (139th Street & Lenox Avenue). Big L began rhyming in 1990 and his first professional appearance came on the B-side of “Party Over Here” by Lord Finesse in 1992, the song was the remix to “Yes, You May”. Around this time, L also joined Lord Finesse’s Bronx-based hip hop collective Diggin’ in the Crates Crew. Big L also founded Harlem rap group Children of the Corn with fellow aspiring MC’s Killa Cam, Murda Mase and Killa Cam’s cousin Bloodshed
