Harlem's Finest: Return Of The King

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When it comes to New York City’s hip-hop history, Big L remains one of the most influential and resonant MCs ever to grace the genre. Though the proud Harlemite released only one studio album in his far-too-short lifetime, 1995’s <i>Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous</i>, his impact on generations of rappers continues to this day. While a handful of posthumous projects have trickled out in the two and a half decades since his passing—not the least of which being his DJ Premier-helmed <i>The Big Picture</i>—the release of <i>Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King</i> stands to become the definitive final statement on his artistic might. Big L’s choice of words here sometimes calls back to slang and slander prevalent in ’90s rap, but the relative timelessness of his lyrics makes this 16-track collection superior to the typical odds-and-sods compilation foisted upon fandom. The blend of past and present in both beats and rhyme form unquestionably contributes to thi, with appearances by his contemporarie, like DITC co-founder Showbiz and fellow Children of the Corn spitter Herb McGruff, coming alongside those by his spiritual successor, including Joey Bada$$ (“Grants Tomb ’97”) and Errol Holden (“Big Lee & Reg”). .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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