The Dose of Mystery looks at the February 15, 1999 murder of legendary 24-year-old Harlem rapper, Big L. “The Orchestrated Hit of Big L: Killed by his Childhood Friend“ looks at the final hours of Big L’s life, and how it impacted those closest to him including fellow D.I.T.C. member, O.C., and fellow Children of the Corn member, Cam’ron.
“One evening in 1999, Lamont Coleman, better known by his stage name Big L, was standing outside of his home in Harlem, unaware of the danger that he was in, for moments later, he would be gunned down by his childhood friend. It was a cold evening in Harlem on February 15th, 1999, and Big L was standing on the street outside of his home on 45 West 139th Street in his native Harlem.”
No one was ever charged with Big L’s murder, but L’s childhood friend Gerard Woodley was suspected of being the killer. He was arrested by NYPD in 1999 in connection to the murder, but was released shortly after due to a lack of evidence. Woodley was eventually killed himself–not far from where Big L was killed–in 2016 after being shot in the back of the head.
Big L’s final recorded album, The Big Picture, debuted on August 2, 2000, after his passing. It was compiled by his manager and Flamboyant Entertainment partner, Rich King.