Big
Punisher
died suddenly of natural causes resultingfrom a heart attack and respiratory failure. Though the hip-hop
community lost one of it’s most promising voices, the impact of
Big Pun’s legacy continues on his upcoming tribute, Endangered
Species, which is to be released February 6, 2001.
Loud Records readies itself to
release the posthumous LP, slated to hit the streets one year
after Big Pun’s death. The Album will feature classics from Big
Pun’s previous two albums, a best of collection of collaborations,
and new unreleased songs. The album also includes liner notes
written by Fat Joe as well as personal photos from Big Pun’s private
collection.
Born Christopher Lee Rios on November
10, 1971 in the South Bronx, Big Pun became the first solo Latin
MC to achieve platinum sales. In his career, Big Pun recorded
two albums: Capital Punishment and Yeeeah Baby! His 1997 debut
album, Capital Punishment went double platinum debuting at No.
5 on The Billboard 200 Charts and also received a Grammy nomination
for “Best Rap Album.” In 1999, The Source Awards nominated Big
Pun, Lyricist of the Year and New Solo Artist Of The Year. The
album remix “Still Not A Player” featuring R&B artist, Joe,
was nominated for Single Of The Year.
Fat Joe says of his friend and
fellow Terror Squad member, “This greatest hits album will prove
beyond a shadow of a doubt who was and still is the most lyrical
rapper ever to touch a mic.”
Loud CEO Steve Rifkind goes on
to say, “This album represents some of the best work Big Pun
ever did. He is widely recognized as a true hip-hop hero and it’s
an honor for me to help uphold his legacy.”