The Big Picture | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 1, 2000 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1999 | |||
Studio | D&D Studios (New York City, New York) | |||
Genre | Hardcore hip hop | |||
Length | 55:36 | |||
Label |
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Producer | DJ Premier, Ron Browz, Ron G, Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Shomari, Mike Heron, Ysae, Showbiz | |||
Big L chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Big Picture | ||||
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The Big Picture is the second and final 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]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [3] |
RapReviews | 8/10 [4] |
Rolling Stone | [5] |
The Source | [6] |
Vibe | [7] |
The Big Picture has received critical acclaim. M.F. DiBella of Allmusic gave the album three out of five stars. [3] RapReviews' Steve Juon gave it eight out of ten stars. [4] Rolling Stone gave it three and a half stars out of five. Many[ who? ] say that it is one of the most underrated hip hop albums of all time. [5]
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 . [8]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Big Picture" (Intro) | Lamont Coleman, Christopher Martin | DJ Premier | 2:59 |
2. | "Ebonics (Criminal Slang)" | Coleman, Rondell Turner | Ron Browz | 3:21 |
3. | "Size ’Em Up" | Coleman, Turner | Ron Browz | 3:55 |
4. | "Deadly Combination" (featuring 2Pac) | Coleman, Ronald Bowser, Tupac Shakur | Ron G | 2:32 |
5. | "'98 Freestyle" | Coleman | Lord Finesse | 2:09 |
6. | "Holdin' It Down" (featuring A.G., Miss Jones & Stan Spit) | Andre Barnes, Coleman, Peter Phillips, Stan Draton, Tarsha Jones | Pete Rock | 4:39 |
7. | "The Heist" | Coleman, Turner | Ron Browz | 3:02 |
8. | "The Enemy" (featuring Fat Joe) | Coleman, Joseph Cartagena, Martin | DJ Premier | 2:48 |
9. | "Fall Back" (featuring Kool G Rap) | Coleman, James Elite, Nathaniel Wilson, Shomari Jackson | Shomari | 2:49 |
10. | "Flamboyant" | Bobby Ervin, Coleman, Gail Farrell, Mickael Heron | Mike Heron | 3:07 |
11. | "Casualties of a Dice Game" | Coleman, Turner | Ron Browz | 3:18 |
12. | "Platinum Plus" (featuring Big Daddy Kane) | Antonio Hardy, Coleman, Martin | DJ Premier | 3:37 |
13. | "Who You Slidin' Wit" (featuring Stan Spit) | Coleman, Draton, Phillips | Pete Rock | 4:13 |
14. | "Games" (featuring Guru & Sadat X) | Coleman, Derek Murphy, Keith Elam, Leroy Southwell | Ysae | 4:32 |
15. | "The Heist Revisited" | Coleman, Robert Hall | Lord Finesse | 3:01 |
16. | "The Triboro" (featuring Fat Joe, O.C. & Remy Ma) | Coleman, Cartagena, Omar Credle, Reminisce Mackie, Rodney Lemay | Showbiz | 5:29 |
Credits for The Big Picture adapted from Allmusic. [10]
Chart (2000) | Peak position |
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UK Albums (The Official Charts Company) [11] | 122 |
US Billboard 200 [12] | 13 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [13] | 2 |
Chart (2000) | Peak position |
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US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums [14] | 89 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA) [15] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
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United States | August 1, 2000 | Rawkus | CD | 26136 |
Cassette tape | ||||
LP | ||||
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