A new documentary on late rapper Big L, titled 'The Parable of Lamont Coleman,' has released its first trailer. Directed by Clark Slater and produced by Versus, the film receives full support from Big L's family and estate for the first time. It explores his life, music, and ties to Harlem's 'Danger Zone.'
Big L, born Lamont Coleman, was a Harlem rapper known for his punchline-heavy style that shaped 1990s New York hip-hop. He released his debut album Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous in 1995 on Columbia Records, featuring tracks such as “Put It On” and “M.V.P.” His posthumous album The Big Picture came out in 2000 and earned gold certification from the RIAA. Coleman was killed in an unsolved murder in February 1999, while negotiating a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, co-founded by Damon Dash from Harlem. The documentary, currently in early production, delves into his family connections and the neighborhood around 139th Street and Lenox Avenue, which he called “The Danger Zone.” It will address speculation around his death and links between Coleman and his brother Leroy “Big Lee” Phinazee to the N.F.L. crew. The film includes an original soundtrack and is set for 2026 release. In the trailer, Coleman's brother Donald Phinazee states, “Fifty years under a dark umbrella.” Phinazee adds, “For the first time, my family’s true story will be told... This is the official documentary, told by the people who were actually there.” Director Clark Slater notes, “What drew me in wasn’t just the music — it was the family... relationships that feel almost Shakespearean in scope.” This marks the first project backed by the Phinazee family and Big L estate.
