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
US Navy ships cross Strait of Hormuz for first time since start of Iran war: report

Historic Passage: US Navy Ships Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amidst Iran Conflict Tensions

In a significant development, U.S. Navy ships have navigated through the Strait…
Iranian women’s soccer players 'are ok' — for now — after signs of dissidence in Australia: sources

Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Safe Amidst Reports of Dissent in Australia: Sources

The Iranian women’s soccer team returned from the Asia Cup on March…
Trump gives Zohran Mamdani three tips to improve NYC on his 100th day as mayor

Trump’s Top 3 Game-Changing Tips for Zohran Mamdani’s First 100 Days as NYC Mayor

WASHINGTON — On his 100th day leading New York City, Zohran Mamdani…
Chief prosecutor behind Israel war crimes charges faces disciplinary action amid sexual misconduct allegations

Israel War Crimes Prosecutor Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), known for filing…
Mother of slain congressional intern says DC Council treats violent crime like a 'joke' amid unsolved killing

DNA Evidence Links Teens to Murder of Congressional Intern: A Shocking Turn in High-Profile Case

In a significant development, DNA evidence has reportedly connected two teenagers to…
NYC-based nonprofit Nodutdol promotes North Korea as utopia

NYC Nonprofit Nodutdol Sparks Controversy by Promoting North Korea as a Utopian Model

A New York City-based nonprofit, known for its radical pro-North Korea stance,…
$1K reward offered in South Chicago hit-and-run crash that killed Raven Myers on 83rd Street: Cook County Crime Stoppers

Cook County Crime Stoppers Announces $1,000 Reward in Fatal South Chicago Hit-and-Run on 83rd Street

A reward is being offered for leads in a tragic hit-and-run incident…
Missing American’s husband had 'spotty' cell service during 8-hour trek to report disappearance: telecom boss

Telecom Executive Reveals Spotty Cell Service During Husband’s 8-Hour Journey to Report Missing American

Husband of missing US woman taken into custody in Bahamas, attorney reveals…
NASA's Artemis II Crew Extracted from Spacecraft After Return to Earth

Breaking News: NASA’s Artemis II Crew Safely Returns to Earth – A Historic Milestone Achieved!

The astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission have safely returned to Earth…
Skiers rejoice as late-season snowstorm to dump several feet of powder on California resorts

California Ski Resorts Anticipate Abundant Fresh Powder as Late-Season Snowstorm Approaches

As California’s ski season seemed to be winding down, a late-season storm…
Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi in Beijing as Taiwan defense fight intensifies

Taiwan Opposition Leader Engages in Pivotal Talks with Xi Jinping Amid Escalating Defense Tensions

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant political development, Xi Jinping, the supreme leader…