Massive L was a 24 12 months outdated MC from Harlem, New York recognized for his freestyling skills & having a number of the biggest punchlines in hip hop historical past. Making his debut below Columbia Information within the spring of 1995 with Lifestylez ov da Poor & Harmful, the Kids of the Corn & D.I.T.C. member would go on to start out up his personal label Flamboyant Leisure & virtually signed to Roc-A-Fella Information till he was murdered in 1999. The following summer time, Rawkus Information would distribute The Massive Image (1974-1999) for Flamboyant & it will be equally beloved as the one LP of his lifetime to this very day. 139 & Lenox got here out independently and RBC Information distributed The Hazard Zone, however Mass Enchantment Information is giving him a correct sendoff together with his fifth & formally remaining album government produced by Royce da 5’9” & the fifth entry of the Legend Has It sequence.
“Harlem Common” that includes Herb McGruff produced by G Koop begins with a soulfully funky beat representing their hometown whereas the one single “U Ain’t Gotta Likelihood” that includes Nas finds the two speaking about no person standing an opportunity towards them in lyrical battle. The primary half of “R.H.N. (Actual Harlem N****s)” is taken from one in all my favourite Kids of the Corn songs “Harlem Nights”, however then “Fred Samuel Playground” that includes Methodology Man shouts out the situation of L’s mural over a Conductor Williams instrumental.
After an interlude through the first 45 seconds of “Massive Lee & Reg”, we’re handled to a quick verse from Errol Holden, the luxurious beat that Lord Finesse cooks up on “All Alone” stands out in being amongst my favourite all through the LP speaking about on the lookout for a spot to name his personal whereas “Perpetually” that includes Mac Miller bittersweetly unites 2 greats who had been taken from us approach too quickly. There’s additionally the “7 Minute Freestyle” that includes JAY-Z, which continues to be her in at present as one of many biggest freestyles within the historical past of hip hop.
Joe Budden solely supplies a spoken phrase intro to kick off the “Doo-Wop ‘99 Freestyle” making approach for L Corleone to move throughout a beat that offers me a little bit of a Halloween ambiance however after the “Don & Satcha” skit, the “Stretch & Bobbito ‘98 Freestyle” angrily guarantees to take opponents out their distress whereas “Grants Tomb ‘97 (JazzMobile)” that includes BVNGS & Joey Bada$$ traditionally pairs the trio to speak about the necessity to get again on a roll.
“Dwell @ Rock N Will ‘92” begins the ultimate leg sampling some pianos flexing that persons are hiding in protecting custody as a result of he can’t be fucked with whereas “How Will Make It? (I Gained’t)” will get remixed from the Return of the Satan’s Son compilation. After the “Don & Sacha @ Inwood Hill Park” outro, the bonus observe “Put the Mic Down” that includes Fergie Child & the late Occasion Arty finishes L’s coda with them over a Showbiz & Ron Browz instrumental.
Though I’m not too stunned that there are some moments all through Harlem’s Best: Return of the King that I’ve already heard as a result of neither Massive L or Biggie a.ok.a. The Infamous B.I.G. had the identical work ethic 2Pac had, I did take pleasure in this higher than I believed I might. Primarily because it does the Flamboyant Leisure CEO’s reminiscence & legacy higher than a few of these compilations we’ve been getting out of his camp for the final quarter of a century, which is all I may’ve requested & hoped from it.
Rating: 7/10