Even though he only released one official album, Big L's legacy looms large over the city of New York. He was a freestyle champion of the Bronx at a time when that borough was hip-hop's premier proving ground. His style was jazzy and free flowing, but always disguised a menacing edge that could level all challengers. L could party but if you stepped to him sideways, he'd take your head off with a verse. Murdered at 25, he didn't live to see his fame come to fruition, but his name remains synonymous with the cutthroat skills of inner-city hip-hop culture.