Big L – u aint gotta chance ft. Nas
Big L’s upcoming posthumous album “Harlem’s Finest: Return Of The King” arrives October 31 via Mass Appeal Records. The lead single “u aint gotta chance” pairs the late Harlem rapper with Nas, bringing together two former Columbia Records labelmates who signed in 1992.
Big L was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1999 at age 24. He’s been a cult hero ever since, cited as an influence by Jay-Z, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar. His 1995 debut “Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous” cemented his place among New York’s elite, known for sharp wordplay and uncompromising delivery.
The new album is the fifth instalment in Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It series, following releases from Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Mobb Deep. Big L’s estate serves as executive producer alongside associate producers Royce Da 5’9″ and Mike “Heron” Herard.
“u aint gotta chance” works with existing material in a new context. Big L’s verse comes from a 1997 Tim Westwood freestyle he did with fellow DITC member O.C. Nas recorded a new verse for the track, and the production is fresh. It’s a technical showcase that captures Big L’s punchline-heavy style.
The album addresses issues with Big L’s catalogue. His family notes that many songs were removed from streaming services recently due to unmixed tracks, uncleared samples, and unpaid producers. Mass Appeal is re-releasing properly mixed and mastered versions, along with rare freestyles and unreleased material.
Big L left behind numerous radio freestyles that have been bootlegged but never officially released, including the legendary seven-minute freestyle he did with Jay-Z on The Stretch & Bobbito Show in 1995. Some of these recordings form the basis for this project.
The album also features a rare Jay-Z appearance. Future releases in the Legend Has It series include projects from De La Soul and Nas & DJ Premier.
