Album Review essays

Album Review essays Amazing stories, endless street slang, rugged beats. What do you get when you put all of those three things together? The Big Picture, by Big L. The Big Picture was produced in 2000 shortly after the death of Big L (Lamont Coleman) in 1999. Even though the album was in progress and not complete at the time of his death, Flamboyant Records (Big Ls own label) was able to put together one of the best hip-hop albums in the genres young history. Just a fair warning before you listen to the album: if you are not a big fan of underground hip-hop this is not an album for you. If you are accustomed to hip-pop or radio rap Big L will probably not hit the spot for you. No where in his raps does he attempt to appeal to the general public. This album is what many true fans would call thorough. So if you are ready for a tour of the streets get ready, because L tells it how it is. The CD opens with the self titled track The Big Picture, which is an appropriate opening. Not only by title but for the frame work of the whole album. He proceeds with similes like Whats this rap game without L. Thats like jewels without ice. Thats like China without rice. Or the Holy Bible without Christ. Or the Bulls without Mike. Or crack-heads without pipes. The village without dykes. Or hockey games without fights. Its lyrics like these that make this album one for the books. As if the lyrics of Big L arent enough, he is also complimented by guest appearances by the late Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.. With the company of two of the greatest rappers in history and one of the best DJs around this album was an overall success. Later in the CD he has a song titled Casualties of a Dice Game which tells about him winning money in a game and being followed by the jealous loser. L goes on to explain how he ...