Big L Death Anniversary

Today (February 15) marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of Harlem rapper, Lamont "Big L" Coleman. Coleman was shot nine times in the face and chest in 1999 in Harlem, just three blocks from his home. Known throughout the rap world for his innovative rhymes and collaborations with DJ Premier and his Diggin In […]

Today (February 15) marks the fifth anniversary

of the passing of Harlem rapper, Lamont "Big L" Coleman.

Coleman was shot nine times in the face and chest

in 1999 in Harlem, just three blocks from his home.

Known throughout the rap world for his innovative

rhymes and collaborations with DJ Premier and his Diggin In The Crates crew,

Coleman had launched his own label, Flamboyant, shortly before his was gunned

down.

The rapper’s posthumous release, The Big Picture,

reached gold selling status.

"He was about to do it," D.I.T.C. member

O.C. told AllHipHop.com. "I look at it like it was a reason, it was God’s

plan. We might not like it, but it was God’s plan. He’s still alive. Maybe not

physically, but spiritually on that strength. It’s a big void to be filled without

his voice."

The group is contemplating a reunion album that

would be dedicated to Coleman’s memory.

"It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t make

one," fellow D.I.T.C. member A.G. said. "The last time we did an album,

the one on Tommy Boy was the first time we did a project without him. That’s

when we came up with the tribute song with me, Finesse, and O."

The group will reunite this Thursday (February

19) in Manhattan, to celebrate Lord Finesse’s birthday as part of S.O.B.’s and

AllHipHop.com’s ongoing Plain Rap series.

Fat Joe, Brand Nubian, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kool DJ

Red Alert and others are slated to appear and Sway from the Wake Up Show/MTV

fame will host the festivities.