Big L’s Murder Mystery May Finally Be Unraveled

The long-standing enigma surrounding the shooting death of iconic Harlem rapper Big L, which took place nearly three decades ago, might soon come to light, according to family members recently interviewed.

Lamont Coleman was tragically killed on February 15, 1999, at the young age of 24, at the bustling intersection of West 139th Street and Lenox Avenue—a place often mentioned in his lyrics. This area has seen a history of violence; it reportedly has seen multiple fatalities close by over the years.

Three months post-murder, Gerald Woodley, a friend from Lamont’s childhood, was arrested but later released due to lack of evidence linking him conclusively to the crime.

This week, the family revealed that there’s more to the story, which will be detailed in an upcoming documentary titled *The Fables of Lamont Coleman*, expected later this year.

The film will delve into the complex web of relationships and betrayals linked to the enigmatic rapper, who earned acclaim in the underground hip-hop scene with tracks like “Flamboyant,” “MVP,” and “Danger Zone.”

“Everything will finally be explained,” Big L’s brother, Donald Phinagy, shared. “It’s time for our true story to come out and it’s going to shock people.”

The documentary promises to showcase never-before-seen home videos and testimonies that contest the prevailing narratives surrounding Big L’s untimely death.

Details about its release will be announced later.

Family members have openly acknowledged that Big L was shaped by his environment. “Lamont wasn’t exactly a saint,” Phinagy candidly admitted.

A book published in 2017 revealed that Big L’s half-brother, Leroy “Big Lee” Phinagy, led a notorious street gang known as the 139th St. NFL Crew. This gang, referred to as “N—-z For Life,” was infamous for its violent behavior and drug activities, which also found their way into Big L’s lyrics.

Prior to Big L’s murder, Phinagy was seeking revenge against rival gang members, including Woodley, while he was incarcerated for a probation violation. According to the same book, he had allegedly contracted a hitman from Brooklyn, tasking Big L with identifying the target.

Authorities speculated that Big L’s murder could either be an act of retaliation for his brother’s actions or perhaps a case of mistaken identity. An NYPD representative mentioned that the shooting likely tied back to something involving Big L’s brother.

Interestingly, Woodley was fatally shot in 2016 at the exact spot where Lamont had been killed.

In his debut album, “Lifestyles,” Lamont immortalized the neighborhood around West 139th Street and Lenox Avenue, coining it as the “Danger Zone.”

Big Lee himself was killed in 2002, at the age of 33, just two blocks from where Big L died. Even more tragically, his son, known as “Little Lee,” was shot and killed on the same street in 2019, at just 29 years old.

Their mother passed away in 2008.

Phinagy reflected on their mother, expressing that she “died of a broken heart” after losing her sons.

Coleman was raised in Harlem by his mother, Gilda “Pinky” Terry, alongside his half-brothers, Donald and Leroy. Phinagy remarked, “People understand Harlem to a degree, but only those who’ve lived it truly know its essence. There were joyful moments—basketball, music, and gatherings.”

“My mom adored Earth, Wind and Fire and The Temptations,” he recalled fondly.

He spoke of a small DJ machine their mom had bought, igniting a passion for music in them. “Lamont got so good at it that we had freestyle battles… he won a trophy that was taller than he was.”

In 1985, Phinagy took his younger brother to a Run-DMC concert, which left a profound impact on Lamont—he became determined to pursue rapping thereafter.

As time went on, Coleman carved out his own niche in music and even faced off against superstar Jay-Z in a rap contest. Jay-Z was so impressed that he wanted to sign him to his record label.

“His talent was limitless, and the possibilities seemed endless,” Phinagy summed up.