Big L is returning to the highlight 26 years after his dying with Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King, a posthumous album arriving October 31, that includes long-awaited collaborations with Nas and JAY-Z, and government produced by his property.

The announcement dropped alongside the discharge of “u aint gotta chance,” a brand new observe that includes Nas, now streaming on all main platforms. The single marks the primary official preview of the challenge, which is a part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It marketing 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 remaining and definitive physique of labor, with manufacturing led by the Estate of Lamont “Big L” Coleman and affiliate producers Mike “Heron” Herard and Royce 5’9. Additional contributors are anticipated to be revealed within the lead-up to the Halloween launch.

Before his dying in 1999, Big L had been days away from signing a cope with Roc-A-Fella Records. At simply 24, he was already acknowledged as one in every of Hip-Hop’s most gifted lyricists, identified for his razor-sharp punchlines, streetwise storytelling and complicated rhyme patterns. His 1995 debut Lifestyles ov da Poor & Dangerous featured manufacturing from Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Buckwild, and included visitor spots from Cam’ron and a then-unknown Jay-Z.

Between 1997 and 1999, Big L recorded with the Diggin’ within 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 making ready to signal with Roc-A-Fella earlier than he was shot and killed in Harlem.

His first posthumous album, The Big Picture, was launched in 2000 by way of Rawkus Records and has since been licensed gold. The challenge, government produced by DJ Premier, featured appearances from 2Pac, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Guru and Remy Ma, amongst others. Tracks like “Ebonics,” “Deadly Combination,” and “Flamboyant” cemented his legacy as one in every of Hip-Hop’s most revered lyricists.

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In an interview with Rolling Stone, Nas mirrored on Big L’s influence and what his presence might have meant for the style 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 mentioned. “It’s a blessing to have this celebration of him, and it’s a reminder that there’s completely different variants of hip hop and so they’re all dope, however in the case of lyricists, Big L’s the usual. Lots of people are protected on the market and rap as a result of Big L’s not not round.

“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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