Big L
Photo: Courtesy of Big L

Yeah. We're switching it up this week, because we can do that. We're going to give you an abbreviated Don't Sleep this week to make way for yet another new section, Cornerstone Credentials. Our joint is all about the people who have made timeless music for the streets. 'Hood icons, we salute you. And it's fitting that we're launching it with one of the greatest spitters ever, Big L. In Streets Is Talking, Fabolous shouted us out. He's not too shabby when it comes to lyrics either.

Cornerstone Credentials: Where Legends Live

Big L was one of the best to ever do it, and unfortunately for many (from his family to his adoring fans), the slick Harlem rhyme-slinger's life was taken too soon. L had the potential to join the ranks of New York's greatest lyricists ever. As an up-and-coming MC he was compared to Jay-Z and Cam'ron, both of whom he collaborated with early in their careers — and he more than held his own.

It's been 10 years now, though, since L, born Lamont Coleman, was gunned down in what was believed to be a retaliation hit against his brother, Big Lee. Like Biggie and Big Pun, L's death left many rap fans wondering, "What if ... ?"

Last weekend marked what would have been his 35th birthday and to honor the slain rapper's life, DJ Soul (Assorted Donuts) put together a mixtape called Big L 5/30 Tribute.

The project — a hard-core NYC rap fan's dream — includes hard-to-find freestyles by Jay-Z, unreleased Big L tracks and interludes from the fallen star's friends, including his mentor Lord Finesse.

"I look at him like LeBron," Finesse said. "I was out there doing it. But he was an upcoming cat that I could tell was gonna be way more advanced than me, 'cause he caught up to me and I had him by a couple years, it was like, 'Imagine where he was gonna go?' "

Besides L's overlooked debut, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, and the posthumous The Big Picture, there hasn't been much material from the "Ebonics" rapper that showcases his trademark wit, punch lines and humor. "He was one of the funniest cats I ever met," Finesse said.

And following his death, L's family continued to suffer from a number of tragedies as his brother Lee and his mother both passed. His half-brother Donald Phinazee is the only remaining family member aside from L's father, who Phinazee said was absent in the rapper's life.

"It'll never get easier [dealing with L's passing], 'cause in the process of that, I lost my whole family," Donald, 41, told us. "I lost the middle brother and, two years after that, I lost my mom when I came home. Saturday was L's birthday. I stayed out, I lit a whole bunch of candles, then stayed there and just sat there."

Finesse and Phinazee have been working on a documentary on Big L's life and rhymes for some time now. But the pair admitted the project has been delayed due to "red tape," including L's father's insistence on contributing and taking a chunk of the potential profits. They both said L's father had little to do with him during the rapper's life and they are surprised by his demands.

"We have an artist ready at the push of a button," Finesse stressed. "But not if he's involved. Not at all. That's what people need to understand — it's not that we don't wanna do it. We just have to take care of the business end. I don't feel enthused to do it if there is a dude there waiting to get the check."

"For what?" Donald asked, frustrated. "This guy didn't care nothing about ... I could tell you stories. He was never there. That's on everything."

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

Fabolous' Loso's Way is done and headed for stores on June 30. On the LP, you'll find Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Ryan Leslie and The-Dream. Like he's done throughout his career, Fab mixes it up with the best of the singers and rappers. So what gets him more inspired and competitive — when he receives a song where a singer just kills a hook or when he gets a track that a fellow mic champ lays a vicious verse on?

"I like both elements," he told us on the set of his video "Throw It in the Bag." "The R&B element, to me, is a little bit easier. But at the same time, I take my time with it. I feel I'm my biggest critic. I feel the whole world is listening, even though it may be a small amount listening. I feel everybody is gonna hear it. So I take my time and put my thing on it.

"With rap," he added, "I'm such a fan of hip-hop, I love it when somebody else is dope. I love the chance to go up against other rappers. 'The Hottest in the Hood' remix — Red Cafe, he hollered at me to get a verse done. I said, 'OK, let me know when you're ready, and I'mma ma put my foot in it.' "

Fab says he's going to be Mr. Reliable when it comes to his rhymes.

"I'm not one of them dudes whenever you hear the verse and you're gonna be like, 'Ah, this dude said some ABC on my sh--.' You're gonna feel like I feel, like, 'Fab really went in on this joint.' I feel that's what's kept me relevant."

Don't Sleep: Other Notables

We told you about Young Buck's new mixtape yesterday. Here's the other heat this week:

» D-Block - No Security (independent album)
» The Ruler and DJ Thoro - Summer Shutdown Part 1 and R&B Jumpoff Volume 52.5

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: Lil Wayne, Young Buck & More

• Big L
• Jay-Z
• Lord Finesse
• Fabolous

Kanye West
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images

Artists: Notorious B.I.G. featuring Big L

Representing: BK and Harlem

Underground Tape: Live From Amsterdam

411: Shout-out to Cool Will C for sending us the link to this classic concert — who knows where he found this? We don't even know exactly where to point you to find this baby, but search the Net and it should pop up. Two undeniable MCs, Biggie and Big L, performing a concert in Amsterdam circa '95? You can't be serious. Hell yes, Christmas came early! Do we really need to give a huge explanation? Biggie and the whole M.A.F.I.A. doing their timeless cuts; Big L ripping the stage down solo until he brings out special guests Showbiz and A.G. — can we get a soul clap? (Also, we saw the film "Notorious." It's amazing! Everybody was on point, especially Gravy. You did Biggie and the Brooklyn right, Gravy!)

Joints To Check For

» "Who Shot Ya" by Notorious B.I.G. You can see and hear Biggie doing most of the big hits from the Ready to Die era — "Juicy," "Big Poppa," "Warning" — but you rarely get a chance to feel how he rocked "Who Shot Ya" live. Plus, it is your host, Shaheem Reid's, favorite Biggie song of all time.

» "Ebonics" by Big L. L was no studio MC — not only was he lyrically blessed, homie had the ability to take his words off of wax and articulate them with fire live. Let's face it, some of our favorite rappers are straight dookie at a show. L had crazy breath control, riffing, "Cocaine is nose candy/ Cigarettes is bones/ A radio is a box, a razor blade is a ox/ Fat diamonds is rocks and jakes is cop/ And if you got rubbed, you got stuck."

» "Day One" freestyle. L mixes lyrics we never heard with words we love — L fans, remember these rhymes? "What's this muthaf---in' rap game without L?/ Yo, that's like jewels without ice/ That's like China without rice/ Or the holy Bible without Christ/ Or the Bulls without Mike." True to the Harlem heavyweight's words, the game is missing something without him.

Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week

» The Empire and Lil Wayne - The Drought Is Over 6
» Tapemasters Inc and Jay-Z - My President Is Black
» DJ Whoo Kid and Cashis - Homeland Security
» Serius Jones - Serius Bizness
» Blood Raw - Pain Power And Promises

'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar

» Busta Rhymes (featuring Diddy, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and Akon) - "Arab Money" (remix)
Jay-Z - "Brooklyn (Go Hard)"
» The Clipse - "Big Dreams"
» B.O.B. (featuring T.I.) - "I'm Dat N---a"
» Tony Yayo - "Smoke Break"
» Ryan Leslie (featuring Jadakiss) - "How It Was Supposed to Be"
» Chris Brown (featuring Lil Wayne and Lupe Fiasco) - "Forever" remix
» Freeway (featuring Lloyd Banks) - "Reparation"
» Beyoncé (featuring R. Kelly) - "If I Were a Boy" remix

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

Can somebody do something to impress Lil Wayne? Several weeks back, he told us that he loved the music that was out, but none of it really excited him, let alone pushed him to excel. Well, except one man: Kanye West.

"I'm on there. I already did a song on there," Weezy said with a smile about 'Ye's 808s & Heartbreak. Weezy, who appears on "See You in My Nightmares," was very excited about the release of the album, which dropped last Monday. This week, we'll sit back and wait to see how big the numbers will be.

" 'Ye is an innovator, so it's always a pleasure to be around someone so creative, because it drives you to be more or just as," Wayne said about working with West. ...

On a related note, "Louisianimal," a Wayne track that disses 50 Cent, leaked over the weekend. Wayne gives a big "F you" to "two quarters" on the record. Can't wait to see how that develops. Chances are, though, the song was never supposed to come out. It's a featured record on the new Empire mixtape The Drought Is Over Part Six: The Reincarnation.

50 goaded Wayne on several underground records months ago. Fif told MTV News that part of his reason for going at Wayne was Birdman Jr.'s high ranking on the controversial "Hottest MCs" list. But tensions seemed to ease recently. There had been talk of Wayne going on tour with G-Unit, and Tony Yayo confirmed that the two factions had been in personal contact and that everything was cool.

When it comes to Empire, well, Wayne has flat-out denounced him. Weezy has said that Empire steals his music and that the Drought Is Over series is definitely unsanctioned.

Fifth time's a charm. Chamillionaire didn't wait long to follow-up Mixtape Messiah Four — it's been just two months, and part five is here.

"People got it twisted. Some people talk down on this culture like it's bad," he said. " 'Why are you doing little old mixtapes?' At this point, you gotta come back down to the ground level. That's where it's popping at. That's really what's happening. These are the real people out here that's supporting us. This is really what they want. The mixtapes never stopped. People still consume them if they bootlegging them, downloading online — people want them. The best way to talk to my fans is by putting out a mixtape."

Supporting his free product is awesome, but Cham says make sure you support his official LP Venom when it drops next year.

"It's scheduled to drop first quarter. I just dropped the first single, 'Creepin' (Solo)' — it's produced by DJ Montay," Cham added. "I actually wanted that single to come out — that's why I leaked that one. I wanted that song to dictate [the tone of the album]. Because it's a lot of people that think they know me when they don't. It's all about reinventing. I don't want to be stuck in no box, so I'm kinda going in a different direction. The Venom is the poisonous spider that bit me. They so used to this other guy, now you about to get this guy. This is some of my hardest music." ...

The division in Houston has traditionally been about personal squabbles, however, Slim Thug explains that red tape drove a wedge between him and his homies when they signed to major labels during the city's explosion four years ago.

"Everybody got deals," Thugger said. "It was good. They was signing everybody, but, at the same time, they kinda put salt in the game. They was separating us. It went from us being Houston to them trying to separate us. When I say 'them,' I mean the major labels. It's a lot of stuff y'all don't know about that made me hate major labels. I can do a verse for Cham and my people won't clear it to be on his album. Or I'll do something for Mike Jones or Paul Wall. I done verses for their albums, and they won't clear it 'cause they scared that they may have that 'Still Tippin' ' again, or they scared of them having a hit record rather than it be on mine. That ain't how it go. We grew up together, we all came up doing this music together — we need to keep it that way. Whoever gets it, gets it. [The labels] was driving us apart."

Well, Houston came together last Sunday during the "Best of Texas" concert at the Los Magnificos Car Show, and we were there. Check out some highlights here. In the words of Dave Chappelle acting as Rick James, "Unit-teeee!"

(Click here for photos from the car show.)

For other artists featured in Mixtape Monday, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.

• Mixtape Monday Video: Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire And More

• Bun B, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, And More At The Los Magnificos Car Show

• Kanye West
• Lil Wayne
• Notorious B.I.G.
• Big L

P. Diddy and Voletta Wallace at the fifth annual B.I.G. Night Out
Photo: Soul Brother

NEW YORK — In a perfect world, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Big L, Big Pun, Aaliyah, Left Eye, Freaky Tah and Jam Master Jay would have all been with their mothers Tuesday night at the fifth annual B.I.G. Night Out. However, the harsh reality is that all the stars have passed on — most of them by violent means — leaving their families and friends to mourn.

But as the rappers' loved ones and associates who came out to participate in the yearly event put on by the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation filed in to the Metropolitan Pavilion, hardly any somber feelings were expressed. Attendees including Jay-Z, Iron Mike Tyson and the Rev. Al Sharpton came to rejoice. (Click here for photos from the event.)

"When I think about these events, I always say we're celebrating the lives of these artists," the Rev. Run, standing next to DMC, said. "They're not really dead. A little while ago I heard 'Sucker M.C.'s' playing [in the background]."

Every year the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation holds a black-tie dinner to raise funds for children's school equipment and supplies and to honor the memory of the Notorious B.I.G. (For the event, B.I.G., in addition to referencing Biggie's name, stands for Books Instead of Guns.) This year, not only was homage paid to Biggie and his mother, Voletta Wallace, but also to deceased superstars Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah Haughton, Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lamont "Big L" Coleman, Christopher "Big Pun" Rios, Raymond "Freaky Tah" Rogers and their mothers.

"We don't need to focus on why these people are gone, we need to focus on why we're here and what we can do," Run continued. "To come and honor Jay's mother is a tremendous thing. We rehearsed in Jay's living room. The turntables were at Jay's house. We spent nights at Jay's house. We left from Jay's house to go on tour. We sent buses to Jay's house to pick up all of the Hollis Crew to take them to Madison Square Garden."

"Their strength has helped us as a hip-hop nation to carry on," P. Diddy said in praise of the mothers.

"It's sad to say they've lost a lot of their sons, their daughters, through terrible tragedies," Ms. Wallace said of her fellow mothers in attendance. "Their children have contributed a lot to society but for some reason, those mothers are not being acknowledged and recognized. [Tonight] is just the foundation's way of saying we love them, we're thinking about them, their courage, their strength and [to say], 'Keep up the good work.' "

For some of the parents of the departed icons, keeping up the good work means turning toward the good book.

"I believe we have to leave it in the hands of God to correct us and help us so we can go on and live day by day," Connie Mizell, mother of Jam Master Jay, said about how the mothers should deal with the loss of their children. "If we suffer too long we won't be any good for the rest of the family. We can't fall by the wayside just because [our children] are gone. Jay's always there. There's not a day I don't smile and think about something he said or did. I want the other mothers to know that I'm coping. ... I'm doing more than coping, I'm OK." 

While Mrs. Mizell took her time in the spotlight to advise prayer, Big L's mother called to end the brutality. "I've lost two sons to street violence," Gilda Terry said. "It's a little harder for me tonight. There's so much going on in this world, we don't need the street violence, especially from our young people. They don't care about life anymore, it needs to change."

Seemingly, what will never change is the relevance of the artists' music. Even today, their classic material is standing the test of time.

"They spoke for the people, they spoke from the heart, they were revolutionaries of their time," Diddy said of why their music continues to be so popular. "These cats were the last of a dying breed with their words, actions and energy." 

"I was just saying it's a trip that music has changed so much in the last six years," Biggie's widow, Faith Evans, said. "And for these people to not be here ... it doesn't seem like they're not here. When you hear their songs it's certainly timeless. It's a proud feeling for myself and certainly all the mothers." 

With the exception of Afeni Shakur, all the invited mothers were in attendance and received the B.I.G. Heart Award and proclamations from New York City and New York State.

Hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari and Faith performed, however the highlight onstage was Patti LaBelle, who sang the Lord's Prayer. Before she began singing, the legendary crooner asked audience members, such as Mike Tyson, her "dog" P. Diddy and Foxy Brown, if her wig looked all right.

"Bless your wig," the Rev. Run yelled back to the stage.

"Ameeen," she sang minutes later, garnering a standing ovation.

— Shaheem Reid with additional reporting by Sway Calloway

• Notorious B.I.G.
• Diddy
• Faith Evans
• Run-D.M.C.
• Big L

Fat Joe is expected to come out this weekend for his late Diggin' In The Crates counterpart Big L at a basketball game being staged in the late rapper's honor.

As we previously reported, Big L was gunned down in February of last year in front of his home in Harlem, New York (see "Fat Joe Associate Big L Dead At 22").

Now Fat Joe and several other hip-hop notables are expected to turn out on Sunday, July 30 for an all-star basketball game being staged in his honor at Harlem's Rucker Park. The late rapper's posthumous album, "The Big Picture," hits stores next week, and this weekend's game will serve as a backdrop for the video for Big L's "Holdin' It Down."

There are no confirmations yet for the cameos for the clip, but there are talks that former Bad Boy artist Mase will be on hand.

Fat Joe has said that he will be there serving as the coach of one of the teams playing on Sunday.

Big L had released one album, 1995's "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous," which featured the debut of Cam'ron as Killer Cam (on a song called "Eight Iz Enuff"). The album also featured an appearance by Jay-Z on a track called "The Graveyard."

• Big L
• Fat Joe

More than a year after Big L was gunned down in New York City, the first single from the rapper's posthumous solo album will arrive at the end of the month.

"Flamboyant" will be released on May 30 as the first single offering from L's posthumous LP, "The Big Picture." Roc Raida of the X-ecutioners constructed the track for the single's b-side, a track called "On The Mic."

Other producers that turn up on "The Big Picture" include Gang Starr's DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Rondell, and L's fellow D.I.T.C. members Show, Buckwild, and Lord Finesse. The LP is slated for a July 25 release and features guest shots by O.C., Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Gang Starr's Guru, and Kool G Rap.

Big L, born Lamont Coleman, was shot and killed last February in the Harlem area of New York City (see "Fat Joe Associate Big L Dead At 22"). The rapper was gunned down in front of his home on West 139th St. and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young rapper was part of the group Diggin' In The Crates which also includes Fat Joe, O.C., Diamond D, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz & AG. Big L was also known for underground hits like "Ebonics" and "Hit 'Em Up." D.I.T.C. released its debut album earlier this year, featuring several Big L tracks. That album hit stores almost a year to the day after L's untimely death.

• Big L

This week, New York City police arrested a suspect in the murder of Lamont Coleman, better known as rapper Big L, who was shot dead outside his home in Harlem in February.

• Big L

Lamont Coleman, better known as rapper Big L, was shot and killed Monday night in the Harlem area of New York City.

The rapper was gunned down in front of his home on West 139th St. and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 22-year-old rapper was part of the group Diggin' In The Crates which also includes Fat Joe, O.C., Diamond D, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz & AG. Big L was also known for underground hits like "Ebonics" and "Hit 'Em Up." DITC had recently finished recording sessions for its debut album, which will be released by Tommy Boy Records in May.

Tommy Boy said of the rapper's death, "Big L, a talented artist and a good friend to many, will be missed by the Tommy Boy staff."

Big L had released one album, 1995's "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous," which featured the debut of Cam'ron as Killer Cam (on a song called "Eight Iz Enuff"). The album also featured an appearance by Jay-Z on a track called "The Graveyard."

The rapper's death was a recurring topic at a benefit show for the Greenwich Village Youth Council Tuesday night in New York that featured the Arsonists, Cibo Matto, Sean Lennon, Kathleen Hanna, Johnny Temple, the Rocksteady Crew, Joan Jett, and others.

"I'd just like to say that tonight's performance is dedicated to the memory of Big L," the Arsonists' Q-Unique told MTV News Tuesday night.

"We're doing this for him because we were going on tour with him next week," Q-Unique said.[28.8 RealVideo]

• Big L
• Fat Joe

Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Run-DMC, More At Fifth Annual B.I.G. Night Out

• Notorious B.I.G.
• Diddy
• Faith Evans
• Jay-Z
• Run-D.M.C.