The Big Picture (Big L album) explained

The Big Picture
Type:	studio
Artist:	Big L
Cover:	Big L The Big Picture.jpg
Alt:	A man wearing a black shirt, a black hat, glasses, and a chain with a cross on it is pointing his finger like a gun
Recorded:	1996–1999
Studio:	D&D Studios (New York City, New York)
Genre:	Hardcore hip hop
Prev Title:	Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Prev Year:	1995
Next Title:	Live from Amsterdam
Next Year:	2003

The Big Picture is the second studio album by American rapper Big L. The album was slated for a 1999 release, but due to Big L's murder, it was posthumously released on August 1, 2000, on Rawkus Records. It was incomplete at the time of Big L's death, and was posthumously completed by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Entertainment, Rich King. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at D&D Studios in New York City, New York throughout 1998 and early 1999. It was produced by DJ Premier (who also executive produced the album), Ron Browz, Ron G, Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Shomari, Mike Heron, Ysae, and Showbiz. The Big Picture features appearances from Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Guru, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, 2Pac, Sadat X, and more. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in October 2000.^[1]

It sold 72,549 copies in the first week.^[2]

Critical reception

The Big Picture has received critical acclaim. M.F. DiBella of Allmusic gave the album three out of five stars. RapReviews' Steve Juon gave it eight out of ten stars. Rolling Stone gave it three and a half stars out of five. Many say that it is one of the most underrated hip hop albums of all time.

Content

The track "The Enemy", featuring fellow New York rapper Fat Joe, talks about the NYPD in a negative way, "criticizing its provoking and shady ways", according to April Park of the Riverfront Times.^[3]

Track listing

Writers by Allmusic.^[4]

Personnel

Credits for The Big Picture adapted from Allmusic.

• Louis Alfred III — mixing
• Big Daddy Kane — performer
• Big L — executive producer, performer
• Bob Brown — engineer
• Ron Browz — producer
• Rob Dinero — composer, engineer
• DJ Premier — executive producer, producer
• Fat Joe — performer
• 2Pac - performer, writer
• Mike Heron — executive producer, producer
• Kool G Rap — performer
• Lord Finesse — executive producer, mixing, producer
• Eric Lynch — engineer
• Miss Jones — performer
• Pete Rock — producer
• Sadat X — performer
• Shomari — producer
• Duncan Stanbury — mastering
• Max Vargas — engineer
• Carlisle Young — mixing
• YSAE — producer

Charts

Year-end chart

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	August 1, 2000	Rawkus	CD	26136
			Cassette tape
			LP

External links

• The Big Picture at Allmusic
• The Big Picture 1974–1999 at Discogs

Notes and References

1. United States. album. Big L. The Big Picture. April 25, 2011.
2. Web site: Street Buzz, Duets Fuel Sales of Big L's The Big Picture . . . October 30, 2011 . August 11, 2000 . Berry . Jahna . https://web.archive.org/web/20111012151608/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1122983/20000810/big_l.jhtml . October 12, 2011 . dead .
3. News: Park . April . September 13, 2000 . Big L: The Big Picture (Rawkus/Flamboyant) . . February 5, 2012.
4. Web site: The Big Picture - Big L. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. April 25, 2011.
5. Web site: Chart Log UK: Darren B – David Byrne . . Zobbel.de . December 4, 2011.
6. 2000 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. April 28, 2016.