Big Picture [Clean]

Big L, Big L | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Clean
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00004TUWL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,277 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Big Picture (Intro)

2. Ebonics

3. Size 'Em Up

4. Deadly Combination

5. '98 Freestyle

6. Holdin' It Down

7. The Heist

8. The Enemy

9. Fall Back

10. Flamboyant

11. Casualties of a Dice Game

12. Platinum Plus

13. Who You Slidin' Wit

14. Games

15. The Heist Revisited

16. THR Triboro

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When the silky-voiced Big L was alive he was fast becoming the king of the lewd punch line. So it's too bad The Big Picture joins a slew of posthumous releases (Tupac, Notorious B.I.G.) that leave you feeling queasy. Would L be performing backflips in his grave over this final product? Probably not, since some of the crème de la crème of rap producers (DJ Premier, Pete Rock) were hauled in to do vocal patchwork when L hadn't completed a song. The numerous ill collabos don't hurt either. On "Platinum Plus" Big Daddy Kane tears it up like it was 1992, while the late Tupac's contribution to "Deadly Combination" is chilling. Big L's debut, Lifestyles Ov Da Poor and Dangerous, was one of the most vulgar hip-hop albums of all time (just remember his ultraviolent threats on "All Black" or "Danger Zone," where he raps "they said a real man won't hit a girl, well I ain't real, 'cause I beat bitches up"). So then it's no surprise that his narratives still revolve around unenlightened sexcapades and gunplay ("The Heist," "Casualties of a Dice Game"). "Ebonics," the unofficial slang dictionary classic, showcases L at his artistic apex. Thankfully, instead of a posthumous album rife with studio outtakes and butchered freestyles that shouldn't see the light of day (OK, so maybe two versions of the "The Heist" was unnecessary), this release gels well. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harlems Finest, March 16, 2006

By 

Matt (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Picture (Audio CD)

Let me start by saying this is probably my favorite rap cd. L was an original artist. He was also quick and witty. On this album he would be making fun of the listener but making them laugh at the same time. I have not yet found a rap artist who can match L's lyrical ability and "realness" on the mic. Allow me to analyze this album song by song.

The Big Picture (intro)- This is a great song. The first 53 seconds is Gang Starr introducing their hit single "Full Clip" live. When this great beat kicks in L's rhymes are unmatchable.

Ebonics - This song is brilliant. The entire song is Big L "breaking down" street slang. This is considered one of his best works but i disagree. Maybe because i've heard it 5000 times.

Size Em' Up - Tight song with great rhymes and a funky beat.

Deadly Combination - L and Tupac rip the mic on this one. If you have a sub-woofer you will appreciate this song more:)

'98 Freestyle - Seems a little out of place in all these up beat catchy tunes. Reguardless the lyrical ability unparalleled.

Holdin It Down - This is once again a great song. The beat is nice but im just not into that whole woman singing the hook thing.

The Heist - This is one of the stand outs on the album. Big L tells us a story about what he does when he finds out his wife is cheating on him. I wont spoil the ending.

The Enemy - Again Big L does great but Fat Joe just doesnt stand a chance against him.

Fall Back - This is the song that got me into Big L. Its a nice upbeat song with fresh lyrics and a fresh beat. Kool G Rap spits nicely also.

Flamboyant - What can i say... It's Flamboyant.

CASUALTIES OF A DICE GAME - I have never heard any other rap song that tells a story as eloquently and descriptive as this one. You can acually picture exaclty what is going on; its like watching a movie. Also has a positive message if you pay attention.

Platinum Plus - ANOTHER lyrical masterpiece. "Got my own label now, so y'all can sign with me. Y'all can take me from the bottom and climb with me, that's fine with me, that's how it was designed to be" This shows L's humane attitude as a human being.

Who You Slidin' Wit', Games, and The Triboro - These are like a lot of the D.I.T.C. work for me. Straight up: Big L rips it and the rest of them dont come close. This isn't L's fault and he definitely stands out from the rest. His verse on the Triboro is quite memorable.

The Heist "Revisited" - Same lyrics, differant beat... could do without.

(if it were up to me the cd would end after number 12)

I strongly belive that listeners of any musical genre will appreciate the audacity this cd shows.

This album is a classic and will live forever.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars R.I.P. BIG L ............Hip Hop At Another Level, August 2, 2000

By 

dOc "undergroundmuzic" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Picture (Audio CD)

I'm writting this review while listening to one of the illest underground MC's.........period! Harlem, NY's Big L has been in the game for a long minute. As I recall the first time I heard Big-L spit over a track was in 89 or 90. The metephors and story lines this kat spit on the mic are some of the best versus put on wax or CD. His last CD in 95 was the bomb and this one follows with the same type of rhyme explosion. D.I.T.C. and Flamboyant Entertainment should be greatful for having this platinum artist on there team. Like Canibus, Big-L is one of the last few "battling style" MC's left on this planet. This CD is phat, raw and full of ill ryhme schemes and metephors from the intro to the last track. My Favorite tracks are 1 through 16 and the tracks I hate are the ones he'll never do because of his untimely death. Like Pac and Biggie, Hip-Hop has taken a huge lost in the game. I've been waiting on this CD sence 95. After hearing tons of guest appearances, soundtracks and mix tapes, Big-L has finally drop a gem with "automatic classic" status all over it. Special guest include the entire DITC crew, Kool G Rapp, Big Daddy Kane, Tupac and others. You can get all of these everyday radio MC's that's playing today (including Eminem) and put them in a room with Big-L and watch them all get ate to shreds by this kat. "Real Hip-Hop 101" right here folks.......cop this one and get educated the Big-L way.

oNe

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic album from a legendary mc, September 2, 2004

By 

waverace "waver" (columbus ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Picture (Audio CD)

when i think of big l it almost brings tears to the eyes.. i mean the guy had all the flow in the world.. his lyrics were insane.. he came with multies after mulit and there arent too many rappers that write lyrics with the skill and direction that he does. It's really sad that he got shot and how his life was cut short. Well on this album the producers bring big ls memory back. This is really the first album that introduced me to big l from the very opening he gives us a taste of his amazing wordplay and creativeness with a set of metaphors that look at what the rap game is without him, and its really true.. when l died rap lost one of its greatest mcs of all time. This album showcases what big l is famous for.. his punchlines. On tracks like 98 freestyle and the hot ass hit "holdin it down" l drops punchline after punchline.. youll find yourself rewinding your cd player thinkin did he really say that? YES he did .. no one came with more punchlines and creativeness than big l. His amazing storytelling ability is also showcased on this album.. on casualties of a dice game l raps about a dice game gone wrong in a amazing way. I'm a big rap fan and have listened to alot of rap from underground to mainstream and let me tell you .. casualties of a dice game is one of the best storytelling song ever. Seriously anyone that is a rap fan should get this album. Also anyone that raps like myself should appreciate hearing an album of the late big l, because l was really an mcs mc.. hes everything that an mc should be.. he was fresh, creative, and had alot of carisma. I still get misty eyed when i think of big ls death, an excellent album from one of the greatest writers ever.