Big L is returning to the spotlight 26 years after his death with Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King, a posthumous album arriving October 31, featuring long-awaited collaborations with Nas and JAY-Z, and executive produced by his estate.
The announcement dropped alongside the release of “u aint gotta chance,” a new track featuring Nas, now streaming on all major platforms. The single marks the first official preview of the project, which is part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It campaign honoring seven legendary Hip-Hop artists: Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, Big L, De La Soul and Nas with DJ Premier.
The album is being promoted as Big L’s final and definitive body of work, with production led by the Estate of Lamont “Big L” Coleman and associate producers Mike “Heron” Herard and Royce 5’9. Additional contributors are expected to be revealed in the lead-up to the Halloween release.
Before his death in 1999, Big L had been days away from signing a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records. At just 24, he was already recognized as one of Hip-Hop’s most gifted lyricists, known for his razor-sharp punchlines, streetwise storytelling and complex rhyme patterns. His 1995 debut Lifestyles ov da Poor & Dangerous featured production from Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Buckwild, and included guest spots from Cam’ron and a then-unknown Jay-Z.
Between 1997 and 1999, Big L recorded with the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), a collective that included Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, O.C., Diamond D and A.G. After leaving Tommy Boy Records, he had been preparing to sign with Roc-A-Fella before he was shot and killed in Harlem.
His first posthumous album, The Big Picture, was released in 2000 through Rawkus Records and has since been certified gold. The project, executive produced by DJ Premier, featured appearances from 2Pac, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Guru and Remy Ma, among others. Tracks like “Ebonics,” “Deadly Combination,” and “Flamboyant” cemented his legacy as one of Hip-Hop’s most respected lyricists.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Nas reflected on Big L’s impact and what his presence could have meant for the genre had he lived.
“Big L was always ahead of his time. There’s some quotes out there from me about Big L, like how terrifyingly good that he was that made me have to step up my game. We were both signed to Columbia Records and I think the world never got a chance to get Big L the way they wanted him,” Nas said. “It’s a blessing to have this celebration of him, and it’s a reminder that there’s different variants of hip hop and they’re all dope, but when it comes to lyricists, Big L’s the standard. A lot of people are safe out there and rap because Big L’s not no longer around.
“There’s a lot of stuff floating around today that’s really not good. This album will remind you that it’s not about hype, it’s about art. And that’s what Big L’s doing with this album, reminding the world, reminding New York, that even though there’s different styles that you should do and play with, which are very dope, never forget what this s### comes from. The roots of this s### is serious talent.”
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