On Feb. 15, 1999, Lamont “Big L” Coleman was gunned down not too far from his Harlem residence just as he began to actually see his rap career bubble. The witty lyricist — who had once introduced a young Jay Z to several Hip Hop circles — was said to be on the verge of closing a deal with a then untouchable Roc-A-Fella Records and finally obtain the props he deserved.
Although his murder was never solved, police (and “the streets”) long believed the assassin to be Gerard Woodley, a close friend of Big L’s brother, Leroy “Big Lee” Phinazee, who had a falling out with the Colemans and reportedly enacted revenge on the burgeoning rapper.
Yesterday, June 24, around 11:17 p.m. in front of 106 W. 139th St., near Lenox Avenue, Woodley, 46, was shot in the head and later died at Harlem Hospital. He leaves behind a 28-year-old daughter.
According to DNAinfo, Woodley’s name is circulated in four other homicides and a source simply stated, “He did a lot of bad things and someone decided it was time to go.” Police also dismissed the notion that Woodley’s murder is associated with Big L in any fashion, pointing out the nearly 20-year gap since the “MVP” rapper was killed.
NYPD officials also noted that Woodley had been maintaining a low profile as of late but attributed his murder to “illicit business in New Jersey.” Federal investigators were reportedly pursuing a guns charge for Woodley in efforts to compensate for the missed murder convictions.
Woodley had six arrests under his belt but none more notorious than in 1999 when he was cuffed for shooting Big L nine times in the face and chest during a drive-by shooting. The Manhattan District Attorney later dropped the case out of the belief they couldn’t round up any surveillance footage of Woodley at the crime scene nor tap enough witnesses to testify. The street code generally refers to the latter as “snitching.”
Woodley’s 85-year-old aunt spoke with DNAinfo about her deceased nephew, eulogizing him as a “pretty good guy” who actually had a bond with Big L.
“They were good friends,” she said. “We were friends with the family even after he was killed. We still talked.”
“My mind is gone. I didn’t sleep last night. It don’t make sense,” she added.
Lavern Black, Woodley’s mother, spoke to the NYDailyNews and posed the question: “Where was his bodyguard?”
“It hasn’t sunk in yet . . . He was a loving son,” she said, reportedly while sobbing.
You took a legend from Hip-Hop. You won’t be missed.
Big L, rest in peace!
Bye, nigga
What goes around… Where was his bodyguard? LOL. Since when do scumbag murderers need bodyguards? All of that drive by shit is played. Mad weak. You’ve got beef? Run up on a fool like a MAN and dump. Pussy. Got what he deserved. RIP Big L. If Big L was around today we wouldn’t have these lames fukking up the game…
YOU KINDA GOTTA WONDER, WAS IT REALLY HIS FAULT BIG L DIED??
L WAS PART OF A CREW THAT USE TO ROB DRUG DEALERS BACK IN HARLEM BACK IN THE DAY. WHO KNOWS IF HE DIDNT SET HIS OWN FRIEND UP TO GET ROBBED. IN THE STREETS, YOU PRETTY SIGN YOUR DEATH CERTIFICATE DOING SHIT LIKE THAT. I NEVER QUESTION A SITUATION I DONT KNOW, BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE ITS MORE TO IT
Yep..sounds abt right 2 me..smh..a damn shame.
Fuck Em. Hope he burns
Fuck Em??? Why are you hating on Eminem? This is an article about Big L bud… hehe
Good enough for for this peice of shit. Big L was seriously lyrical and smooth rapper, a real Legend for the short time he was around. Rest In Peace L. Ayo Gerard………REST IN PISS BITCH 🙂
But on the realness… if the Roc signed Big L would Jay still have got his massive props? Jay was the best on a roster with Beans and Cam but I don’t think he gets that number one spot on his own roster if Big L was there. Big L over an early Kanye laced album??? Oh my god…
Damn son
Damn son
Haha….. HOV would pulled some underhanded business shit and Big L would be have been an afterthought like that loser Nas. If your name isn’t Jay Z, then the ROC is where careers go to die and HOV will take food out of your mouth. You don’t get to be the number 1 in the game by being a pussy like Nas or Big L.
Hearing Big L on them Kanye beats would of been fire Jay wasnt the best MC on rocafella anyway Sigel was the best him and L would of been battling for the #1 spot
Jus imagine how much better jay would be than what he is now if none of the cats that died would be here he’d be a 10 times better than now at the level of competition it would have been for him so imagine a 10 times better jay z y’all people kill me wit some of the stuff y’all say out y’all lips
Although death is certain for EVERYBODY..I feel like nobody DESERVES to die. I don’t wish death upon anybody but if you’re playing god and taking lives without a reasonable cause such as protecting yourself( self defense) then I can’t feel too much sorrow for you. “Where was his bodyguard”? He killed an up and coming hip hop legend!!! He got wat was coming to him..karma. You reap what you sow.
Well, thats the Lifestyles ov da Poor and Dangerous for y’all. Not sure why this article glorifies him talkin about his family.
RIP Gangsta Gibbs
If you’re talking about Freddie Gibbs, he’s not dead.
Almost sounds satire when you see this guy got got on 139 & Lenox.
Jay Z & P.Diddy? theres more to this rap game and government than we now
That’s becuase that’s the block they all hung out & lived at. They were all friends at one point. There is actually a good video which breaks down what happened to Big L; it’s called Goons of the industry “The 139th St. NFL Crew”
Big L and Bone Thugs are my favorite. This fuck got what he deserved
They both kilt on 139 n Lenox too Big L was not lying bout it being The Danger Zone i had to play that track when i heard this guy got dropped. Big L was the main MC that really got his career cut short dammn shame he didnt leave hardly any material Fabolous,Cassidy,Lloyd Banks all got that punchline flow from L
I feel that black on black crime or crimes within the Harlemhood is wack people need to watch their friends even in these times.people are hateful.and jealous. And Im mad but I’mfrom Harlem. I’mstrong but only strongest survive.
Big L death had nothing to do w/ jealousy. Big L & his brother were trying to kill this dude who was their friend, essentially betray him but he was able to turn the table & get Big L before they got him.
Dude look like a bald krayzie bone
True…And he is a Krayzie Bone or was
Big L is the greatest m.c. that ever walked this planet. I cant imagine what we all missed out on!? I love you L..i mean that.. R.I.P.
This story put a BIG smile on my face! Rest in peace, Big L. Rest in piss, Gerard Woodley.
RIP Big L, I’m glad he was finally avenged.