Put It On by Big L Lyrics Meaning – A Dive Into the Legacy of an Underrated Hip Hop Genius
Lyrics
L keep rapper’s hearts pumpin’ like Reeboks
And every year I gain clout and my name sprouts
Some brothers’d still be large if the crack never came out
I got the wild style, always been a foul child
My guns go poom-poom, and yo’ guns go pow-pow
I’m known to have a hottie open, I keep the shottie smokin’
Front and get half the bones in your body broken
And when it comes to gettin’ nookie I’m not a rookie
I got girls that make that chick Toni Braxton look like whoopie
I run with sturdy clicks I’m never hittin’ dirty chicks
Got thirty-five bodies, buddy don’t make it thirty-six
Step to this you’re good as gone, word is bond
I leave mics torn when I put it on
So put it on Big L, put it on
C’mon put it on, and on, and onnn
C’mon put it on Big L, put it on
C’mon put it on represent put it on, c’mon!
Nobody can take nuttin’ from Big L but a loss chief
The last punk who fronted got a mouth full of false teeth
I’m known to gas a hottie and blast the shottie
Got more cash than Gotti (you don’t know? ) you betta ask somebody
Big L is a crazy brother, and I’m a lady lover
A smooth kid that’ll run up in your baby mother
I push a slick Benz, I’m known to hit skinz
And get endz and commit sins with sick friends
‘Cause I’m a money getter, also a honey hitter
You think you nice as me? ha ha, youse a funny nigga
I flows, so one of my shoes, wouldn’t be clever to miss
I’m leavin’ competitors pissed
To tell you the truth, it gets no better than this
I’m catchin’ wreck to the break of dawn
And it’s on, yo it’s a must that I put it on
Yeah, so put it on Big L, put it on
C’mon put it on, big fella put it on and on
Put it on Big L, put it on represent
Put it on, c’mon put it on..
Some boys see me gun nozzle and take a we fi joke
Boy you gwan dead before you see me gun smoke
See me gun nozzle and take me fi joke
You gwan dead, from army you provoked
I drink moet not beck’s beer, I stay dressed in slick gear
Peace to my homies in the gangsta lean, I see you when I get there
And it’s a fact I keep a gat in my arm reach
I charm freaks and bomb geeks from here to palm beach
I’m puttin’ rappers in the wheelchair, Big L is the villain
You still fear, cause I be hangin’ it hard and my shit is for real here
If you battle l you picked the wrong head
I smash mics like cornbread, you can’t kill me I was born dead
And I’m known to pull steel trigs and kill pigs
I run with I’ll kids and real nigs who peel wigs
My rap’s steady slammin’, I keep a heavy cannon
It’s a new sheriff in town, and it ain’t Reggie Hammond
Peace to my peoples, the children of the corn
Cause we put it on, adios, ghost I’m gone
So put it on Big L, put it on
C’mon put it on, big fella put it on and on
Big L, you gotta put it on and on
Put it on Big L, put it on and on
Word up, knahmsayin?
My man Big L, runnin things for the nine-four
And nine-oh-s, you know what I mean?
It’s the Kid Capri, in full flair
And we gon’ put it on a little somethin’ like this
Big L, c’mon
Lord Finesse he be puttin’ it on
My man buckwild he be puttin’ it on and on
My man Fat Joe he be puttin’ it on
Showbiz and A.G. yeah they be puttin’ it on and on
I can’t forget diamond he be puttin’ it on
The whole d.i.t.c.yeah they be puttin’ it on and on
And of course Kid Capri yeah I be puttin’ it on
The whole N.Y.C.yeah we be puttin’ it on and on
And I’m out
Against the pulsating beat and the smooth, though gritty production of Kid Capri, one of hip hop’s most deft lyricists lays down a track that’s as much an anthem as it is a declaration of individual prowess. In ‘Put It On,’ Big L crafts a lyrical masterpiece that serves as a snapshot of the rough-and-tumble Harlem streets from which he surfaced. This is not just a song; it’s an ode to the raw talent and stark reality of the 90s rap scene.
Big L’s smooth delivery belied the harshness of his content and the complexity of his rhyme schemes. Through ‘Put It On,’ listeners are ushered into the world of a young man who had already experienced a lifetime’s worth of challenges, revelations, and affirmations by his early 20s. Here, we dissect the lyrical depth, address the hidden meanings, and celebrate the memorable lines of a track that earned its rightful place in hip hop history.
The Proclamation of Resilience and Rap Excellence
Big L’s opening bars are not merely a warning to his contemporaries, but a testament to his relentless ascent in the hip hop hierarchy. With incisive bravado, he positions himself as the pacesetter, distancing himself from the unfortunate fate of those ensnared by the crack epidemic’s wrath that consumed many in his community. L’s evolution from a ‘foul child’ to a rapper of note is laid bare, and the visceral imagery of his words, ‘guns go poom-poom,’ is emblematic of the dangers faced while traversing the path to stardom.
Through each verse, Big L illustrates a duality — the ruthlessness required to survive on the streets and in the rap game, coexisting with the charisma that makes him an irresistible force in both arenas. ‘L keep rapper’s hearts pumpin’ like Reeboks’ serves as more than a simile; it’s his stake in the ground, claiming his space among the greats and igniting the hearts of his growing legion of fans.
Unwrapping the Double Entendres and Witty Braggadocio
The humor and cleverness embedded in Big L’s bars can easily be overlooked in light of the heavier themes at play. Nonetheless, his wit shines through, meshing street-savvy with clever wordplay, as showcased in lines like, ‘Got more cash than Gotti / you don’t know? you betta ask somebody.’ Even as he leans into clichés of material success and sexual conquests, Big L avoids banality, delivering each line with a freshness that keeps the listener engaged and amused.
It’s L’s irreverence for the expected norms and his ability to flip narratives with a single line that separates him from his peers. As each verse unfolds, he deploys a mixture of comedic bravado and street-honed insight, which keeps his storytelling vivid and grounded in authenticity.
Discovering the Hidden Meanings Within Harlem’s Tough Exterior
Beneath the surface of ‘Put It On’s’ apparent bravura lies a deeper narrative, one of relentless ambition and the pursuit of legacy amidst the harrowing backdrop of Harlem’s street life. Big L isn’t just speaking about physical altercations or lyrical battles; he’s professing the drive to elevate above the systemic obstacles that have historically confined people from his neighborhood.
The seemingly brash declarations serve a dual purpose: illustrating Big L’s prowess while subtly highlighting the grinding cycle of poverty and violence—a cycle he is determined to break. With every boast of lyrical superiority or surviving street confrontations, L echoes the undercurrent of defiance that runs through the veins of Harlem’s youth, aspiring to transcend their circumstances.
The Art of Storytelling & Crafting Memorable Lines
Narrative expertise is on full display as Big L weaves personal anecdotes with hard-hitting punchlines, packing each with a cadence that addicts the ear. Lines like, ‘I leave mics torn when I put it on,’ aren’t merely for show—they celebrate the cathartic release of dominating the mic, an act both liberating and affirming of his chosen path. And who could ignore the guttural truth in, ‘You think you nice as me? ha ha, youse a funny nigga,’ hitting listeners with the rawness of a street-corner snaps battle?
Each bar serves as an indelible mark of his storytelling prowess. His ability to spin tales that resonate with both the everyman striving for success and the connoisseur of lyrical finesse affirms Big L’s place as a pivotal narrator of the urban experience.
The Ongoing Influence and Homage to Hip Hop’s Golden Era
Big L’s refrain beckons us to bear witness to a scene that’s as celebratory as it is combative. When he instructs us to ‘put it on,’ it’s an if-you-know-you-know moment of recognition for those entrenched in hip hop’s golden era. This song is not merely a time capsule but a continuing influence on artists who glean inspiration from Big L’s ingenuity and fearlessness in the face of adversity.
As the track closes, a roll call of other artists ‘puttin’ it on’ in their unique ways pays homage to the collective strength of the culture and community. The legacy Big L left behind is one of potent lyricism, resilience, and the unyielding insistence on excellence—principles that continue to guide emerging artists and aficionados alike, affirming that L’s impact is just as relevant now as it was then.
