Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big L, and the only to be released during his lifetime.

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from the hip-hop community, earning praise for Big L's lyricism and wordplay.

Big L began writing rhymes in 1990 and his first professional appearance came on the B-side of "Party Over Here" by Lord Finesse in 1992.

Around this time, L joined Lord Finesse's Bronx-based hip hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.).

The group consisted of Lord Finesse, Diamond D, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Showbiz and A.G.

He founded Harlem centered rap group Children of the Corn with fellow aspiring MC's Killa Cam, Murda Mase, Bloodshed and Herb McGruff; when Bloodshed died in a car accident in 1997, the group later disbanded.

In 1993, Big L submitted a four track cassette tape to Columbia Records, who soon after signed him to their company.

James Niedermeyer worked with Big L on the album and heavily influenced the lyrics on songs such as "Danger Zone" and "All Black".

The album also features guest appearances from a young Cam'ron (credited as Killa Cam on "8 Iz Enuff") and Jay-Z (on "Da Graveyard").

[1] Concerning "Put It On", he stated: [Columbia Records] wanted something with a hook that would be kinda catchy, and something they could get radio play with.

[7] The Source wrote that "[Big L] comes with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run".

[11] M. F. DiBella of AllMusic complimented Big L as "a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire," while noting: "With better production and marketing, Big L might have found himself with a platinum album but instead he settled for platinum respect.

"[8] Steve Juon of RapReviews called the album "jam packed with treats" and lamented that it "faded quietly into obscurity, now better known after his death than it was while he was still alive".

[9] A promotional cassette circulated in 1994 with a different track listing, including four songs that did not make the final retail album.