Harlem's Finest: Return Of The King

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 *Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous*, 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 *The Big Picture*—the release of *Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King* 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 fandoms. The blend of past and present in both beats and rhyme form unquestionably contributes to this, with appearances by his contemporaries, like DITC co-founder Showbiz and fellow Children of the Corn spitter Herb McGruff, coming alongside those by his spiritual successors, including Joey Bada\$$ (“Grants Tomb ’97”) and Errol Holden (“Big Lee & Reg”). Both happen concurrently on “Fred Samuel Playground,” in which producer Conductor Williams lays down a dank boom-bap rhythm for a newly recorded Method Man verse. Blurring things further is the rare and very special Mac Miller verse that opens “Forever,” acknowledging the meaningful breadth of Big L’s sway. Even with these inventive hybrids, the fortunate inclusion of his seminal, downright magical freestyles for the likes of DJ Doo Wop and Stretch & Bobbito—inclusive of a monumental JAY-Z tag-team moment—truly makes this an essential listen.