Legacy of Big L
Artists and genres Big L directly influenced — one hop forward on the family tree of music.
Eminemartist
JAY-ZartistShawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked him as the greatest rapper of all time. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses double entendres, wordplay, and braggadocio. His music is built on a rags to riches narrative. According to Forbes, he is the wealthiest music artist in history, worth an estimated US$2.8 billion as of 2026.
Royce da 5'9"artistRyan Daniel Montgomery, known professionally as Royce da 5'9", is an American rapper. Best known for his association with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem, the two met in 1997 and formed the hip hop duo Bad Meets Evil the following year. Their 2011 single, "Lighters", peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of their debut extended play (EP), Hell: The Sequel (2011). The song and EP—which debuted atop the Billboard 200—have both yielded Montgomery's furthest commercial success.
Big PunisherartistChristopher Lee Rios, better known by his stage name Big Pun, was an American rapper. Emerging from the underground hip-hop scene in the Bronx, he came to prominence upon discovery by fellow Bronx rapper Fat Joe, alongside Cuban Link and Triple Seis, and thereafter guest appeared on his 1995 album Jealous One's Envy.
That Mexican OTartistVirgil René Gazca, known professionally as That Mexican OT, is an American rapper from Bay City, Texas. He is best known for his 2023 single "Johnny Dang", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with Interscope Records. The song preceded the release of his debut studio album, Lonestar Luchador, in July of that year.
Smoke DZAartistSean Joseph Pompey, better known by his stage name Smoke DZA, is an American rapper and songwriter.
TimefliesartistTimeflies is an American pop-rap duo formed in October 2010 consisting of Cal Shapiro and Rob Resnick. They are known for their popular original music and popular YouTube covers. They first performed together as 'The Ride' in collaboration with writer Matt Merritt while in college at Tufts University.
A$AP TwelvyyartistJamel Da'Shawn Phillips, known professionally as ASAP Twelvyy, is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City. He is a member of the hip hop group ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. In 2014, he released the song "Xscape", the second single to the ASAP Mob's debut album L.O.R.D. The album was supposed to be released in 2014, but it was officially scrapped. On August 4, 2017, ASAP Twelvyy released his debut album, titled 12.
Your Old DroogartistMaksim Lembersky, known by his stage name Your Old Droog, is a Ukrainian-born American rapper and producer from Brooklyn, New York. He first gained public attention in June 2014 when online rumors were circulated that his self-published debut EP was actually recorded by veteran New York rapper Nas under an alter ego, before revealing himself in August of that year as a 25-year-old Ukrainian American. His self-titled debut album was released digitally on November 25, 2014. The name "Droog" comes from the Ukrainian word 'друг' meaning "friend".
Cookin SoulartistCookin' Soul is a group of rap producers and DJs from Valencia, Spain. In its early days, it was made up of Big Size, Milton, and Zock. Currently, Big Size is the only active member. The group is known for its productions on numerous tracks by MCs and rap groups around the world. They are also recognized for releasing a large number of mixtapes and albums. Producing work since around 2005, Cookin' Soul has developed a strong presence in the mixtape circuit in the US, according to El País.
DJ EzassculartistRicky Lascaze is an American Hip-Hop DJ and producer from Brooklyn, New York who records under the name DJ Ezasscul. For a brief period of time he was a member of the rap group Supreme & Eaze with Missouri rapper, Supreme Sol. DJ Ezasscul is also founder of the independent label Jazzy Peace Records.
K.A.A.N.artist
Mac Millerartist
Ashantiartist- Cam'ronartist
Cordaeartist
SunamiartistSunami is an American hardcore punk band formed in San Jose, California in 2019. Originally intended as a short-lived joke band by members of various San Francisco Bay Area hardcore bands, Sunami sought to parody the ignorant style of many hardcore bands on their 2019 demo Demonstration. However, after gaining notoriety for their violent debut live performance, the band continued past their planned time frame. They have since released four EPs, with their debut self-titled album being released on June 14, 2023. A 2023 article by Revolver credited them as "in the upper echelon of bands dominating the hardcore zeitgeist".
Joey Bada$$artistJo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, known professionally as Joey Badass, is an American rapper and actor. Born in Brooklyn, he formed the regional hip-hop group Pro Era in 2011, with whom he has released three mixtapes and formed the larger collective, Beast Coast the following year.
SpaceGhostPurrpartist