Big L
Return Of The Devil's Son
As for raw spit-game, there may have been none better than Big L. An MC every bit as witty as he was gritty, hip-hop’s core circle still mourns his early passing. Many heads consider Mr. 139 & Lennox’s debut Lifestylez Of Da Poor And Dangerous something of a classic; arguments to the contrary could be offered but only on the production end, plus that does a disservice to one of the best to ever do this rap thing.
This posthumous release is a very respectful rendering of L’s unreleased material, highlighted by some 6 live radio/mixtape sessions. Any head worth his salt is familiar with L’s Stretch & Bobbito manslaughters where some of hip-hop’s most legendary one-liners were spat (the unforgettable “ask Beavis I get nothin’ but head…” for one). These recordings are cherished material for hip-hop’s Golden Gang (those of us who have survived into our 30’s) and make this release something more than a sentimental favorite.
While 2000’s The Big Picture featured L with a contemporary sound, this album mostly hearkens back to the Lifestylez era with famed DITC producer Showbiz providing more than a handful of backdrops. Yes, this is dated stuff and the songwriting is often far from mature (”I Should Have Used A Rubber” chiefly among them), but there are a few gems here, including the more modern sounding “Right To The Top” featuring Kool G. Rap & Royal Flush, “Once Again” which uses Ice Cube’s famed “Bird In The Hand” loop and a clever re-appropriation of Mel’isa Morgan’s R&B standard “Fool’s Paradise” on “Yes You Can.”
There is the celebratory aspect of this album, paying tribute to a hip-hop legend that left us far too soon. Unfortunately that same emotion cuts another more somber way, that old what-could-have-been scenario. Big L’s unrivaled swagger rules the day in the end though, as just hearing his brash bravado again is cause for rejoicing. Flamboyant for life.
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