Big L's brother breaks his silence in new doc that promises answers decades after legendary rapper gunned down
Share this @internewscast.com

The enigma surrounding the murder of iconic Harlem rapper Big L, which has puzzled many for nearly three decades, might soon be unraveled according to his family, who spoke with The Post this week.

Lamont Coleman met his untimely demise on February 15, 1999, in a drive-by shooting at the intersection of West 139th Street and Lenox Avenue—a location famously depicted in his lyrics. At the age of just 24, his life was tragically cut short.

Tragically, since Big L’s death, two other members from his immediate family have also lost their lives within the vicinity of where he was shot nine times.

Three months after the murder, authorities arrested Gerald Woodley, a childhood friend of Lamont, but he was subsequently released due to insufficient evidence.

This week, the family has revealed there’s more to this story, which they plan to explore in an upcoming documentary titled “The Parable of Lamont Coleman,” set to release by the year’s end.

This film delves into the intricate web of relationships and betrayals surrounding the mysterious “Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous” artist, whose tracks like “Flamboyant,” “M.V.P.,” and “Danger Zone” solidified his status as an underground hip-hop legend.

“Everything will be answered,” Big L’s brother Donald Phinazee told The Post.

“For the first time, my family’s true story will be told, and it will be shocking,” he added.

There are never-before-seen home videos, unreleased footage, and new testimony that challenges the old narratives and will finally tell the complex story around Big L’s death.

Where it will be shown will be announced at a later date.

A new documentary about the life and death of rapper Big L and his family is in the works.

The family did not shy away from saying that Big L was a product of his environment.

“Lamont was no saint,” Phinazee admitted.

Leroy “Big Lee” Phinazee, Big L’s older half-brother, was a leader of the notorious Harlem street gang known as the 139th St. NFL Crew, according to a 2017 book titled “Ethylene: The Rise and Fall of The NFL Crew.”

NFL, or “N—-z For Life,” was known for extreme violence, drug trafficking and allegedly involved in dozens of murders and was often mentioned in Big L’s lyrics.

Before Big L’s murder, Phinazee was imprisoned for a probation violation when he sought revenge on three rival gang bangers — Including Woodley. He allegedly contracted a Brooklyn-based hitman, and tasked his little brother, Big L, with identifying the targets, according to the book.

Leroy’s street ties led cops to believe Big L’s murder was a retaliation for his brother’s actions or possibly a case of mistaken identity.

“It’s a good possibility it was retaliation for something Big L’s brother did, or Woodley believed he had done,” said a spokesperson for the NYPD. 

Woodley was gunned down in 2016 at the same intersection where Lamont was murdered.

On his first album, “Lifestylez” Lamont immortalized this stretch around West 139th Street and Lenox Avenue as the ”Danger Zone.”  

In 2002, Leroy was 33 when he was shot and killed just two blocks away from where Big L was gunned down. His son, also named Leroy Phinazee and known as “Little Lee,” was shot and killed in 2019 on the same streets. He was 29.

Their mother died in 2008.

“My mother died of a broken heart,” said Phinazee, who remembered only good things about his famous brother.

Coleman was raised in Harlem by his mother Gilda “Pinky” Terry, alongside his older step-brothers, Donald and Leroy.

“People have an idea of what Harlem is like, but no one really knows besides the people who lived there,” said Phinazee. “There were good times — basketball, music, parties.

“My mother loved Earth, Wind and Fire, The Temptations.

“She bought us this little DJ machine, and we went crazy with it. Lamont got so good he started doing freestyle battles … he won this trophy — it was bigger than him.”

In 1985, Phinazee took his then 11-year-old brother to a Run-DMC concert.

“Lamont was mesmerized and after that, all he wanted to do was rhyme.”

Coleman’s focus was on his music, even later competing with superstar Jay-Z in rap rhyming competitions, ending with J-Z being so impressed by Big L that he wanted to sign him to his Roc-A-Fella record label, which later became Roc Nation.

“His talents had no limits, his potential was infinity,” said Phinazee.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
March Madness: Illinois to face UConn in its first Final Four in 21 years after teams beat Iowa, Duke in Elite Eight

Illinois Gears Up in Indianapolis for High-Stakes Final Four Clash Against UConn, Fan Anticipation Soars

CHICAGO (WLS) — Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch among University of…
Ex-NYPD officer, youth sports advocate facing medical nightmare after doing charity work abroad

Former NYPD Officer and Youth Sports Advocate Battles Medical Crisis Following International Charity Mission

Gregory Fink, a former NYPD officer and Long Island resident, is now…
Trump Drops Jaw-Dropping Video of Iran’s Tallest Bridge Being Destroyed: Taunts Them to Make a Deal

Trump Shares Shocking Footage of Iran’s Tallest Bridge Demolition, Challenges Them to Negotiate

On Thursday, former President Donald Trump shared a striking video on Truth…
'Person of interest' in senseless shooting death of 7-month-old NYC tot to face murder charge: cops

Individual Linked to Tragic Shooting of 7-Month-Old in NYC to Be Charged with Murder, Authorities Announce

A Brooklyn toddler, who tragically lost her life while in her stroller,…
Son of late congressman charged after alleged sexual messages and payments to teen

Son of Deceased Congressman Accused of Sending Inappropriate Messages to Teen

A prominent Republican’s son, known for his father’s lengthy tenure in Congress,…
US expelled Iranian diplomats last year, State Department official says

State Department Confirms US Expulsion of Iranian Diplomats Last Year

In recent months, the United States has expelled several Iranian diplomats, as…
Pasadena Humane seeks donations for dog with no nose's recovery

Help a Special Pup Heal: Pasadena Humane Needs Your Support for Nose-less Dog’s Recovery

In a touching moment, Pasadena Humane welcomed one of its most poignant…
French, South Korean leaders say they'll work together on the Strait of Hormuz

France and South Korea Unite to Enhance Security in the Strategic Strait of Hormuz

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae…
Iran’s tallest bridge destroyed in US-Israeli airstrikes as Trump warns of more destruction

US-Israeli Airstrikes Target Iran’s Iconic Bridge Amid Trump’s Warning of Escalation

On Thursday, President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, urging them…
School bus crash on Zoo Parkway injures four children, DCPS says

Tragic School Bus Accident on Zoo Parkway Leaves Four Children Injured: DCPS Responds

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) announced a traffic incident shortly after 11…
Rapper Gucci Mane allegedly robbed, kidnapped in Dallas by other rappers, including Pooh Shiesty and Big30, DOJ says

The Department of Justice Reports Alleged Robbery and Kidnapping of Rapper Gucci Mane in Dallas Involving Fellow Artists Pooh Shiesty and Big30

In a shocking twist involving the hip-hop community, rappers Pooh Shiesty and…
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warns privacy is at risk due to loopholes with private data brokers, government surveillance

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Raises Alarm Over Privacy Risks from Data Broker Loopholes and Government Surveillance

CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois’ chief legal officer is sounding the alarm over…