In my opinion Big L is one of the greatest rappers of all time and "lifestyles ov da poor and dangerous" one of hip-hop's best albums. While this release has a lot of good cuts on it, it doesn't really compare with "lifestyles" as an album, because, it isn't really an album at all. "The Big Picture" is a posthumuous collection of Big L's unreleased work with some bright spots and nothing I would call weak, but there are some average songs on here that I don't believe "L" would have released himself had he been around. That being said Big L's talent still shines through strong on many songs, most noticeaby to me on "casualties of a dice game" a dark, gritty story rap and "Ebonics" which cleverly explains the meaning to a variety of slang words over a beat. "L" is a criminally underrated M.C. and any fan of his will find plenty of material to appreciate on this disc, just realize that it isn't complete, don't expect it to be another "lifestyles" and you will be extremely satisfied.

I heard of Big L threw the same friend that introduced me to Dead Prez's Let Get Free. I heard Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous and was impressed. He has the craziest punchlines I've ever heard in a while. I also heard about his death in 1999 and decided to cop this album in 2005. Big L's posthumous album is unlike other posthumous albums because 1. It doesnt sound forced or put together slapdash 2. The songs are with people he would actually and has made songs with. Ebonics is Big L breaking down upnorth slang over a dope beat. The first single Holdin It Down with Stan Spit, A.G and Miss Jones was cool. The 98 Freestyle, The Big Picture and Size Em Up are vintage Big L tracks. Deadly Combination featuring 2pac(RIP) is an unexpected but fresh combo that works. The Enemy feat Fat Joe is another highlight as both of them talk about being harrased by cops. Big L also excells in storytelling which is evidenced in The Heist and Casualties Of A Dice Game. Platinum Plus feat Big Daddy Kane is fire as well as Fall Back feat Kool G Rap. The only tracks I couldnt get with is The Heist Revisited(the boring beat doesnt compliment his rhymes) and Games feat Sadat X and Guru(nice beat, iffy song). Bottom Line: Big L's The Big Picture does justice to the best thing to come out of Harlem. The album was kind of mellow in comparison to Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous which was more hard edged. The Big Picture is still a great release that showed that Big L was a nice MC who could have been a force to be reckoned with in Hip Hop if he was still alive. Dont forget Big L and never forget this album. Standout Tracks: EBONICS, DEADLY COMBINATION, 98 FREESTYLE, THE HEIST, FALL BACK, PLATINUM PLUS and THE TRIBORO.



REST IN PEACE BIG L!!!! 1974-1999

this album is truly a masterpiece. I was told it was before i got it and was skeptical but its hot with a suprise cameo from 2pac.

This album was just above half done, when Big L was murdered.. this album to me is CLASSIC! and i could'n even imagine what it would've have been if Big L was around to finish it.. this cat is the most underrated EVER... may his soul forever live on..

Back to the album, production wise its alot better than his debut, there's features such as, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, 2pac, Fat Joe, AG, Guru, OC and Remy Martin.. but Big L shines trough this album even tho he wasent around to finish it... dont even think about buying this.. DO IT! its an instant classic, and one of my personal favourites.. ! DITC!

A year and a half since one of the all-time greats on the mic passed, and 5 years since his classic debut album, they dug these songs and verses out and put them together in a nice pleasing album With 14 different songs, you get 2 classics, 1 almost classic, 4 o.k songs, and the other 7 are good or real good songs. The lyrics and metaphors are on point as always from Big L and the guests for the most part hold their own as well. Guests are on much more then on his classic debut album on 8 of the 14 songs. Production is tight as well and most of the beats sound good for his flow and style. It's a shame he died cause I heard he was going to sign to Roc-A-Fella and I'd have liked to see how he fared on abig label with the fame he deserved. A must have rap album.

#2 - 9.5 (great beat -- about ebonics)
#3 - 8.5
#4 - 10 (CLASSIC -- f/ 2Pac (r.I.P.) -- great beat)
#5 - 10 (CLASSIC!!! -- great freestyle with one of the funniest lines I've ever heard)
#6 - 7.5 (f/ stan spit, AG, miss jones)
#7 - 7.5
#8 - 8.5 (f/ fat Joe)
#9 - 9 (f/ Kool G Rap -- tight beat)
#10 - 8
#11 - 9 (nice beat -- about a dice game gone bad)
#12 - 8.5 (f/ Big Daddy Kane)
#13 - 7.5 (f/ stan spit)
#14 - 6.5 (f/ sadat X & Guru)
#15 - 8 (remix of #7 with better beat)
#16 - 7.5 (f/ OC, Fat Joe, Remy MArtin)

Lamont Coleman -- b. 5/30/74 d. 2/15/99 -- Harlem, NY
Check all my reviews

Come on, this is a classic, i mean, if u never hear it before u better get it quick, Big L's lyrical blows will leave you out of breath before you get to the second track, its incredible

zup,ya'll?Big L is da rappa with da maddest skillz,no doubt da best freestyler.if you can freestyle betta then big L,you're da maddest,,,but you're not,cuz big L's da maddest ever.thiz album's knockin out any mc.even 2pac,biggie,big pun...you name it!!!!thiz album is highly recommended for any fan.i didnt use to like Big L,but when i bought thiz album,that changed.now i see him as da biggest ever!!!peace,mothaf****z.....R.I.P-BIG L!!!!!

this is the real hip-hop big L would knock 2 pac and biggie off the map but they are all dead and he died to soon for people to find out who he was

Big L is the greatest battle mc EVER.Its a shame that he never got the love he deserved from the mainstream.Big L's lyrics are mad nice.He repped Harlem to the fullest.R.i.P. L

This LP is truely lyricism combined with ill beatz at it finest. No other emcee can hold it up like my brethren Big L. Put yo L's up!!!!!1

i wanna thnak lil l his comment made me get tha cd and its off tha hook. Big l R.i.p

thanx lil big l i went out and got that cd it was awesome man thx for the help man

It was alright. His lyrics would get more love if his beats were a lil better cause lyrics is the second thing people listen to on a CD.

best of L live stuff freestylin perfection highly respected highly recommended

Big L was the greatest lyricist of all time and he made a huge contribution 2 hip hop. As u can tell i'm his greatest fan and i have a tribute in my room 2 him. this is a great cd which I recommend 2 anyone who likes good beats and amazing lyrics. Go cop it whenever he touched a mic he blessed our ears. BIG L R.I.P

this album rocks !! Big L has made a really cool cd, with phatt beats and rhymes that stings !! we need more stuff like this !!

This CD is real great, the lyricts are ill and the beats are also ill. It is a shame that he is dead other wise the world could have listen to a real great rapper

Big L is one of the greatest rappers I've ever heard. He tells it how he sees it and how it is. It is a shame that his newly discovered popularity comes after his untimely death. This CD is highly recommended for any rap fan.

he never got the light that he deserved when he was alive but now in his passing he will become a legend i gave the big pictue 5 stars for the supreme beats and the humbling rymes big L was and is one of the greatest off all time

A great CD though it was a little depressing to only hear it after Big L's death. But his rhymes and lyrics are hard and passionate. Anyone who really likes rap should definitely listen to this.