| Viewing Single Post From: Big Pun | |
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| Vintage | Dec 4 2006, 10:03 PM |
Angel
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[size=4]Big Pun[/size] Like a shooting star, Christopher Rios a/k/a Big Punisher's career came and went faster than you can say "Dead in the middle of Little Italy...". Due to his impressive lyrical ability, whether it be his never ending flow, clever wordplay, or sheer use of vocabulary, Pun was recognized as one of the best MC's in the game by the late 1990's. However, an unfortunate tragedy claimed his life and took him away just as he was starting to acheive success, but not before leaving hip hop fans with just enough material to consider him one of the greatest lyricists to ever bless a mic.  Weighing in at 700lbs at his heaviest, Big Pun's name wasn't one to be taken lightly, literally. Born in raised in the Boogie-Down Bronx, Pun began his rapping career in the early 90's. Going by the name of Big Moon Dawg, and rapping alongside MC's Cuban Link, Triple Seis, and Prospect, he formed the group Full a Clips Crew. Making the round on the underground scene, it was Pun's size that would bring him the attention, but it was his lyrical ability that really stole the show. Being able to spit bars and bars without having to stop and take a breath was like nothing anyone had seen before (granted, it was probably due to his large size and equally large lungs). His heaviest influences can be traced back to many early '90's MC's, especially Kool G Rap, whose traces of subject material and rapid fire delivery can be seen throughout Pun's career. By 1995, Pun had met fellow Bronx MC Fat Joe. Joe took a liking to Pun, not only because of his impressive lyrical ability, but also because they were both Puerto Rican and they both weren't ashamed of their size. That year, Pun changed his name (from Big Moon Dawg to Big Punisher) and debuted on the b-side to Fat Joe's single "Envy", "Firewater". He than went on to be featured on the following album, "Jealous One's Envy". His impressive verses sent the NY underground buzzing, trying to find out just who Big Pun was. That following year, Pun, alongside Cuban Link, was featured on The Beatnuts' single "Off the Books". Again hooking up with fellow Latino artists, and AGAIN stealing the show, Pun was signed to Loud Records by the end of 1997. "I'm Not a Player" was released as his first single that following year, but it was the remix, "Still Not a Player" featuring Joe, that really gave Big Pun the mainstream success he deserved. His braggodocio lyrics combined with a catchy hook and rhythmic Spanish melodies equaled a platinum hit. His major-label album, "Capital Punishment", was released in April of '98, and easily went platinum. Big Pun was the first solo Latino rapper to ever go platinum, making him an instant legend among his latino fans. By 1998, the hip-hop scene was evolving following the death's of 2Pac and Biggie from years prior, and the sounds of Puff Daddy and other mainstream artists were becoming the dominant sound of the genre, from a mainstream perspective. As Pun was becoming successful, he joined the ranks of Jay-Z, DMX, and others to become one of premier MC's to carry rap into it's next generation. And so he did, as singles off of "Capital Punishment" kept getting released, and Big Pun became more popular, even being featured on the hit "Feelin' So Good" by fellow Bronx native Jennifer Lopez. As he was working with Fat Joe throughout his major label career, he again hooked up with Joe, as well as his former group the Full a Clips Crew, to form The Terror Squad. Made up of the aforementioned Pun, Joe, Cuban Link, Triple Seis, Prospect, and new-commers Armageddon and Remy Martin, they released a self-titled album in 1999. However at this point in Big Pun's career, his weight really became an issue. By late 1999, he was topping out at 700 pounds, which was dangerously obese. As it increasingly became a concern, he enrolled in a weight-loss program because of concern from friend Fat Joe. By the turn of the century, he had lost nearly 100lbs and was on his way to turning himself around. Simultaneously, he was wrapping up work on his sophmore album, "Yeeeah Baby". His first single, "It's So Hard" featuring Donell Jones was released in early 2000, and it was reflective of Pun's state at the time, confirmed by the optimistic, yet sadly foreshadowing line, "I just lost 100lbs, I'm trying to live. I ain't going nowhere". Sadly, his body couldn't hold onto the weight much longer, and on February 7th, 2000, Christopher Rios suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 29. The hip-hop world was turned upside down. Although his obesity was a concern, no one believed a rising star like Pun would have died so young. Thousands turned out for his funeral in The Bronx, as not only Latinos, but hip-hop fans everywhere showed there love for Big Pun. Months later, his second album, now considered a posthumous album, was released. "Yeeeah Baby" had it's share of singles and strong songs, but the lack of Big Pun being their to enjoy it just left the listening feeling somewhat empty. It eventually crept to Gold status. Unlike an MC like 2Pac, Big Pun didn't have much extra material that could be released. Most of what was available was scrapped together alongside his "greatest hits" and features for his third album, "Endangered Species". As the years passed, fans everywhere continue to celebrate the career of Big Pun, often considering him one of the greatest pure lyricists of all time, as well as a damn good songmaker. However, times have been hard for Big Pun's family and friends. Cuban Link and Triple Seis had a falling out with Fat Joe, as did Pun's wife, Liza Rios, who claimed she never received the royalties from "Endangered Species" that were due to her. Sadly, she even had to put up his prized Terror Squad medallion on eBay in 2005 because she was nearly broke. Though there is much controversy as to what exactly happened between Fat Joe and Big Pun's family and friends, Joe still continues to carry the flag for Pun, constantly shouting him out and keeping his name alive. Though it's unlikely that we will be able to hear much more material from Pun (it's all but used already), his albums, especially his debut, serve as timeless examples as to the greatness that was, but more imporatantly, the greatness that could have been. R.I.P.  [size=2]Albums:[/size] "Capital Punishment" (1998)  "Yeeeah Baby" (2000)  "Endangered Species" (2001)  [size=2]Videos:[/size] "I'm Not a Player" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qfN72-lFHc "Still Not a Player" (ft. Joe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R_n54LuodI "You Came Up" (ft. N.O.R.E.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ888T46718 "Twinz (Deep Cover '98)" (ft. Fat Joe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEn0ghPV9s "Dream Shatterer" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwOs7mDXkxk "It's So Hard" (ft. Donell Jones) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7lyaWF3goQ "100%" (ft. Tony Sunshine) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt6Jtu4V2hY "How We Roll (Remix)" (ft. Ashanti) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu95jIvzmYM |
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| Big Pun · Artist Encyclopedia | |
9:26 AM Nov 25
