# Devil's Son

"Devil's Son" is the first promotional single by American rapper Big L released on June 23, 1993. Often regarded as one of the earliest examples of horrorcore in hip hop, the track helped establish Big L's reputation for vivid storytelling and complex lyricism at an early age.

## Background and composition

In 1993, Big L (born Lamont Coleman) released "Devil's Son" as a promotional single through Columbia Records. Inspired by his affinity for horror films and the harsh realities of life in Harlem, the track's grim subject matter and cinematic style marked one of his first ventures into what would later be recognized as horrorcore, influencing subsequent artists in the genre.
"Devil's Son" features aggressive, hard-hitting production and showcases Big L's rapid-fire delivery and complex wordplay. The track incorporates dark, atmospheric beats paired with lyrics that vividly portray unsettling, horror-inspired scenes. This combination contributed to its recognition as a distinctive early example of horrorcore within hip hop.

## Release and promotion

Although Big L intended for "Devil's Son" to appear on his debut album, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, the track was ultimately omitted from the final album release—likely due to concerns from Columbia Records regarding its graphic content. Nevertheless, the song later appeared on promotional cassette copies of the album and was included in posthumous collections such as Return of the Devil's Son and the Devil's Son EP (From the Vaults).

## Samples and influence

The song's vocal samples include excerpts from:
* "Back to the Grill" by MC Serch (featuring Chubb Rock, Nas, and Tone)
* "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source (featuring Akinyele, Joe Fatal, and Nas)
* "Rise Sally Rise" by Nat Adderley
"Devil's Son" has influenced a number of later tracks and remixes. For instance:
* The song "Devil Song" by Lil B (2010) and "Devil from Hell" by Passenger of Shit (2020) sample or reference its themes.
* Remixes and live versions—such as the "Devil's Son (Live Remix)" featured on Return of the Devil's Son—continue to circulate among fans.

## Interview

In interviews, Big L explained that he was inspired both by his passion for horror films and by the harsh realities of life in Harlem. He stated in a 1995 interview with Remix Magazine:
    "A lot of the rappers now are doing horror-core nowadays. I was probably the first one to invent that genre with my single 'Devil's Son'. The Gravediggaz were dope but other than that, the rest are trash."
According to producer Show (as featured in the trailer for Big L’s documentary), Big L was eager to record the track despite its graphic content:
    "I did 'Devil's Son' man. I didn’t want to be responsible for that shit. Yo, this dude is crazy man. He told me the rhymes for this shit, I said, 'Man, you really gonna say that shit on wax?' He said, 'Yo, I don’t give a fuck!'"
The track features dark, atmospheric production by Buckwild, Craig Boogie, Lord Finesse, and Show.

## Legacy

Although released as a promo and not a commercial single, "Devil's Son" is often cited as a pioneering track for horrorcore in hip hop. Its innovative fusion of horror-themed imagery with hardcore rap aesthetics contributed to Big L's enduring influence in underground hip hop. The track’s impact is further underscored by its inclusion in several posthumous releases that have helped keep Big L's musical legacy alive. "Devil's Son" is considered an important milestone in Big L's career. The song's dark themes and innovative approach helped pave the way for later explorations of horrorcore in hip hop. Its influence is reflected in the posthumous release "Return of the Devil's Son" (2010), which compiled previously unreleased material along with the titular track. The song remains a point of reference for fans and critics when discussing the evolution of underground hip hop in the 1990s.