The Big Picture (Big L album)

The Big Picture
Studio album by Big L
Released	August 1, 2000
Recorded	July 1997 - August 1998
Studio	D&D Studios (New York City) Battery Studios (New York City) Horizon Studios (West Haven, CT) Alien Flyers (New York City) C Mo' Greens Studios (Long Island City, NY) The Cutting Room (New York City) Sony Studios (New York City)
Genre	East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Boom bap, Underground hip hop
Length	55:36
Label	Rawkus Records / Flamboyant Entertainment / Universal Music
Producer	Big Leroy (exec.), DJ Premier, Rich King (exec.), Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Big L (also exec.), Ron Browz, Mike Heron, Ron G, Shomari, Ysae, Showbiz

Big L chronology
Previous	Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995)
Next	The Archives 1996-2000 (2006)

The Big Picture is the second and final studio album by American rapper Big L. It was released in August 1, 2000 via Rawkus Records and Flamboyant Entertainment, with distribution from Universal Music. The album was original slated for a 1999 release, but it was delayed due to Big L's murder in early 1999. Recording sessions took place at Horizon Studios in West Haven, Connecticut and at D&D Studios, Battery Studios, Alien Flyers, C Mo' Greens Studios, The Cutting Room and Sony Studios in New York City from July 1997 to August 1998. Production was handled by DJ Premier, Ron Browz, Ron G, Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Shomari, Mike Heron, Ysae and Showbiz. It includes guest appearances from Fat Joe, Stan Spit, Guru, A.G., Kool G Rap, Miss Jones, Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, O.C., Remy Ma and a posthumous verse by Tupac Shakur.

The album peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 72,549 copies in the first week of sales. The Big Picture received generally positive reviews from music critics.

The Big Picture spawned the singles: "Ebonics (Criminal Slang)" and "Holdin' It Down.

Track listing

No.	Title	Performer(s)	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Big Picture (Intro)"	Big L	Coleman, Martin	DJ Premier	2:59
2.	"Ebonics (Criminal Slang)"	Big L	Coleman, Turner	Ron Browz	3:21
3.	"Size 'Em Up"	Big L	Coleman, Turner	Ron Browz	3:55
4.	"Deadly Combination"	Big L, 2Pac	Bowser, Coleman, Shakur	Ron G	2:32
5.	"'98 Freestyle"	Big L	Coleman	Lord Finesse	2:09
6.	"Holdin' It Down"	Big L, A.G., Miss Jones, Stan Spit	Barnes, Coleman, Draton, Jones, Phillips	Pete Rock	4:39
7.	"The Heist"	Big L	Coleman, Turner	Ron Browz	3:02
8.	"The Enemy"	Big L, Fat Joe	Cartagena, Coleman, Martin	DJ Premier	2:48
9.	"Fall Back"	Big L, Kool G Rap	Coleman, Elite, Jackson, Wilson	Shomari	2:49
10.	"Flamboyant"	Big L	Coleman, Ervin, Farrell, Heron	Mike Heron	3:07
11.	"Casualties of a Dice Game"	Big L	Coleman, Turner	Ron Browz	3:18
12.	"Platinum Plus"	Big L, Big Daddy Kane	Coleman, Hardy, Martin	DJ Premier	3:37
13.	"Who You Slidin' Wit"	Big L, Stan Spit	Coleman, Draton, Phillips	Pete Rock	4:13
14.	"Games"	Big L, Guru, Sadat X	Coleman, Elam, Murphy, Southwell	Ysae	4:32
15.	"The Heist Revisited"	Big L	Coleman, Hall	Lord Finesse	3:01
16.	"The Triboro"	Big L, Fat Joe, O.C., Remy Ma	Cartagena, Coleman, Credle, Lemay, Martin	Showbiz	5:29

Samples

The Big Picture (Intro)

• "Whatever Goes Around" by Gene Butler
• "Full Clip" by Gang Starr

Ebonics (Criminal Slang)

• "It Ain't Hard to Tell" by Nas
• "Every Beat of My Heart" by James Brown
• "A Divine Image" by David Axelrod

Size 'Em Up

• "You Can Exit" by Gloria Gaynor

'98 Freestyle

• "Show & Prove" by Pitch Black
• "Get Yours" by D.I.T.C.

Holdin' It Down

• "Queen of Downs" by Giant (Funk Band)
• "Please Sir, I Want Some More" by John Dankworth
• "G-Building" by M.O.P.

The Enemy

• "From Storm to Calm" by Gordon Parks
• "Arnie's Apartment Signals (Samurai Sequence)" by Jimmy Webb
• "Time's Up" by O.C.

Fall Back

• "I Truly, Truly Believe" by The Temptations

Flamboyant

• "Move Me" by James Gilstrap

Casualties of a Dice Game

• "The Breakdown (Part II)" by Rufus Thomas

Platinum Plus

• "A Few Kisses to Go" by Isaac Hayes
• "My Funny Valentine" by The Stylistics

Who You Slidin' Wit'

• "Don't Mess With People" by Mandrill

The Heist Revisited

• "Dramatic Doc 1" by Mac Prindy

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.