Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Studio album by Big L
Released	March 28, 1995
Recorded	May 1993 - June 1994
Studio	Powerplay Studios (Queens, New York) Unique Studios (New York City) Chung King Studios (Manhattan, New York)
Genre	East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Underground hip hop, Boom bap
Length	48:51
Label	Columbia Records
Producer(s)	Buckwild, Craig Boogie, Lord Finesse, Showbiz

Big L chronology
Next album	The Big Picture (2000)

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big L. It was released on March 28, 1995 via Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at Powerplay Studios, Unique Studios and Chung King Studios in New York City from May 1993 to June 1994. Production was handled by Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Craig Boogie. It includes guest appearances from Cam'ron (credited as Killa Kam), Terra, Jay-Z, Herb McGruff, Trooper J, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, Kid Capri, Party Arty, Microphone Nut, Lord Finesse and Grand Daddy I.U..

The album debuted at number 149 on the US Billboard 200 and number 22 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but did not chart internationally. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous spawned two singles: "Put It On" and "MVP". Upon the albums release, the album received average reviews from music critics, earning praise for Big L's lyrics, but not for the production. As of August 2000, the album has sold 200,000 copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Due to Big L's murder in 1999, it was the only album released by him during his lifetime.

Track listing

No.	Title	Performer(s)	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Put It On"	Big L, Kid Capri	Best, Coleman	Buckwild	3:39
2.	"MVP"	Big L	Coleman, DeBarge, Hall	Lord Finesse	3:40
3.	"No Endz, No Skinz"	Big L	Coleman, LeMay	Showbiz	3:30
4.	"8 Iz Enuff"	Big L, Terra, Herb McGruff, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, Killa Kam, Trooper J, Mike Boogie	Best, Brown, Buddah Bless, Coleman, Giles, Mike Boogie, Terra, Trooper J, Twan	Buckwild	4:59
5.	"All Black"	Big L	Coleman, Hall	Lord Finesse	4:21
6.	"Danger Zone"	Big L, Herb McGruff	Best, Coleman	Buckwild	3:38
7.	"Street Struck"	Big L	Coleman, Hall	Lord Finesse	4:10
8.	"Da Graveyard"	Big L, Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z, Party Arty, Grand Daddy I.U.	Best, Coleman	Buckwild	5:24
9.	"Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous"	Big L, Herb McGruff	Coleman, Hall	Lord Finesse	3:22
10.	"I Don't Understand It"	Big L	Coleman, LeMay	Showbiz	4:21
11.	"Fed Up wit the Bullshit"	Big L	Coleman, Hall	Lord Finesse	3:53
12.	"Let 'Em Have It "L""	Big L	Coleman, Rollins	Craig Boogie	3:58

Early configurations

A promotional cassette of the album circulated in 1994 with a different track listing, including four songs that did not make the final retail album. A later promotional cassette also included an extra track that was removed from the final track listing. Tracks 6, 7, 8 and 13 can be found on Devil's Son EP (Songs From the Vault) which was released in 2017.

1. "Put It On" (feat. Kid Capri) - 3:39
2. "No Endz, No Skinz" - 3:30
3. "8 Iz Enuff" (feat. Terra, Herb McGruff, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, Cam'ron, Trooper J. & Mike Boogie) - 4:59
4. "I Don't Understand It" - 4:12
5. "Lifestyles Ov Da Poor & Dangerous" - 3:22
6. "Devil's Son" - 4:03
7. "I Shoulda Used a Rubba" - 4:39
8. "School Dayz" - 3:16
9. "All Black" - 4:21
10. "Da Graveyard" (feat. Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z, Party Arty & Grand Daddy I.U.) - 5:24
11. "Let 'Em Have It L" - 3:58
12. "Fed Up With The Bullshit" - 3:53
13. "Timez Iz Hard" - 3:32
14. "Da UnExpected Flava" - 3:35
    

Credits

• Engineer: Chris "Conman" Conway.
• Engineer (assistant): Jon Shriver, Chris Irish, Dino Zervos, Mack Robinson.
• Recorded by: Chris "Conman" Conway, Tony Smalios (track 1, 6).
• Mixed by: Chris "Conman" Conway, Rich July (track 1, 6).
• Mastered by: Tony Dawsey.
• Art Direction & Design: Michelle Willems.
• Photography: Danny Clinch.
• Styling: Girard Hunt.
• Make-Up: Nzingha Gumbs.
• Legal Representation: Bruce Jackson.
• Management: Diane Richards.

Album liner notes

Much love to my family and to all my people from Uptown and all over. Good lookin' out to the whole Columbia staff, my manager Diane Richards, and the entire NFL Crew. Gotta say thanks to all the members of Diggin' in the Crates, especially my man Lord Finesse for givin' me my first taste of wax in '92 and for going out of his way to put me on. Peace to Kid Capri and Major Chubby for representin' on my first single. Rest in peace Kerry, Nate, Tall, Glen and Big Sid - Big L and the entire NFL Crew still love you. Thanks to everybody else that deserves to be thanked. – Big L

Samples

Put It On

• "Vibrations" by Buster Williams
• "It’s a New Day" by Skull Snaps

M.V.P.

• "Stay With Me" by DeBarge
• "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr.
• "Just Rhymin' With Biz" by Big Daddy Kane feat. Biz Markie

No Endz, No Skinz

• "4 Aces" by Louis Bellson, Shelly Manne, Willie Bobo and Paul Humphrey
• "Rubber Jam" by The Rubber Band

8 Iz Enuff

• "Soul Travelin' Pt. I (The G.B.E.)" by Gary Byrd
• "The Dream" by Dollar Brand
• "Ode to Billie Joe" by Lou Donaldson
• "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band
• "Funky President (People It’s Bad)" by James Brown
• "UFO" by ESG

All Black

• "Cucumber Slumber" by Weather Report
• "Pot Belly" by Lou Donaldson

Danger Zone

• "The White Man Brings Drugs Into Harlem" by Malcolm X
• "Pot Belly" by Lou Donaldson
• "Outside Love" by Brethren
• "Down Clutter's Lane" by Quincy Jones

Street Stuck

• "The Mixed Up Cup" by Clyde McPhatter
• "Witch Doctor's Brew" by Magnum (Funk Band)
• "My Thang" by James Brown

Da Graveyard

• "Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis
• "It’s a New Day" by Skull Snaps
• "Blood of the Sun, Primary Pulse" by John Klemmer
• "Represent" by Showbiz & A.G.

Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous

• "Dialogue by Roy to Aretha" from Bucktown
• "Pot Belly” by Lou Donaldson
• "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James

I Don't Understand It

• "Alone Together" by Eric Dolphy
• "Wah Wah Man" by Young-Holt Unlimited

Fed Up With The Bulls!@#

• "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers
• "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
• "Blues and Pants" by James Brown
• "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" by Big Daddy Kane

Let 'Em Have It L

• "Rainmaker" by Harry Nilsson
• "Nautilus" by Bob James

Big L
Studio albums	Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous • The Big Picture
Live albums	Live from Amsterdam
Compilation albums	139 & Lenox • Return of the Devils Son • The Danger Zone
Singles	"Put It On" • "MVP" • "Ebonics" • "We Got This" • "Flamboyant" • "Platinum Plus"
Related articles	Children of the Corn • D.I.T.C.