Big L was a 24 12 months previous MC from Harlem, New York recognized for his freestyling talents & having among the biggest punchlines in hip hop historical past. Making his debut beneath Columbia Records within the spring of 1995 with Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, the Children of the Corn & D.I.T.C. member would go on to begin up his personal label Flamboyant Entertainment & nearly signed to Roc-A-Fella Records till he was murdered in 1999. The subsequent summer time, Rawkus Records would distribute The Big Picture (1974-1999) for Flamboyant & it will be equally beloved as the one LP of his lifetime to this very day. 139 & Lenox got here out independently and RBC Records distributed The Danger Zone, however Mass Appeal Records is giving him a correct sendoff together with his fifth & formally remaining album govt produced by Royce da 5’9 & the fifth entry of the Legend Has It collection.

“Harlem Universal” that includes Herb McGruff produced by G Koop begins with a soulfully funky beat representing their hometown whereas the one single “U Ain’t Gotta Chance” that includes Nas finds the two speaking about no one standing an opportunity towards them in lyrical battle. The first half of “R.H.N. (Real Harlem N****s)” is taken from certainly one of my favourite Children of the Corn songs “Harlem Nights”, however then “Fred Samuel Playground” that includes Method Man shouts out the situation of L’s mural over a Conductor Williams instrumental.

After an interlude in the course of the first 45 seconds of “Big Lee & Reg”, we’re handled to a quick verse from Errol Holden, the luxurious beat that Lord Finesse cooks up on “All Alone” stands out in being amongst my favourite all through the LP speaking about searching for a spot to name his personal whereas “Forever” that includes Mac Miller bittersweetly unites 2 greats who had been taken from us approach too quickly. There’s additionally the “7 Minute Freestyle” that includes JAY-Z, which continues to be her in at present as one of many biggest freestyles within the historical past of hip hop.

Joe Budden solely supplies a spoken phrase intro to kick off the “Doo-Wop ‘99 Freestyle” making approach for L Corleone to move throughout a beat that offers me a little bit of a Halloween ambiance however after the “Don & Satcha” skit, the “Stretch & Bobbito ‘98 Freestyle” angrily guarantees to take opponents out their distress whereas “Grants Tomb ‘97 (JazzMobile)” that includes BVNGS & Joey Bada$$ traditionally pairs the trio to speak about the necessity to get again on a roll.

“Live @ Rock N Will ‘92” starts the final leg sampling some pianos flexing that people are hiding in protective custody because he can’t be fucked with whereas “How Will Make It? (I Won’t)” will get remixed from the Return of the Devil’s Son compilation. After the “Don & Sacha @ Inwood Hill Park” outro, the bonus monitor “Put the Mic Down” that includes Fergie Baby & the late Party Arty finishes L’s coda with them over a Showbiz & Ron Browz instrumental.

Although I can’t say I’m not too shocked that there are some moments all through Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King as a result of neither Big L or Biggie a.ok.a. The Notorious B.I.G. had the identical work ethic 2Pac had, I did take pleasure in this higher than I assumed I’d. Primarily because it does the Flamboyant Entertainment CEO’s reminiscence & legacy higher than a few of these compilations we’ve been getting out of his camp for the final quarter of a century, which is all I requested & may’ve hoped.

Score: 7/10