Edward Lee Knight (1971-2001), best known by his stage name Big Ed (or Big Ed the Assassin), was an American rapper who was signed to Master P's No Limit Records in 1992, although releasing his first and only solo album on the label in 1998.
Career edit:
Knight was born in Richmond, California, and attended Eastern Washington University from 1992 to 1993 on a basketball scholarship, but dropped out to pursue a career in rap music in the Bay Area with Master P's West Coast Bad Boy Clique.
Big Ed was an original member of the rap group TRU(The Real Untouchables), appearing on the group's first three albums, Who's Da Killer?, Understanding the Criminal Mind and True. Throughout the 90s, Ed had guest spots on many of No Limit's other releases such as Master P's 99 Ways to Die, Silkk the Shocker's debut The Shocker and Mia X's Unlady Like. His debut album, The Assassin, was released on September 1, 1998 and peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
In 2000, Big Ed left No Limit to start his own record label, Special Forces Records. He released his second album through this label, 2000's Special Forces, which featured contributions from his former No Limit labelmates.
Big Ed died of throat cancer in August 2001, and his third album, Edward Lee Knight 1971-2001, was released posthumously the same month.
