Big Punisher – Fantastic Four (with Cam’ron, Noreaga and Canibus)
Arguably some of Big Pun’s best verses came from collaborations and his rhyme on “Fantastic Four” is no different. Featured on the 1998 DJ Clue The Professional album, Pun goes bar for bar with Cam’ron, Noreaga and arguably a song-stealing Canibus – each of whom were considered the best of the new generation of emcees. The track was created shortly after Pun struck platinum with his debut Capital Punishment and he uses the verse to get at cats who didn’t think it was possible:
“Fuck all y'all non-believers, I roll wit God, the squad and T.S.
Out wit the BS; we platinum, they even doubted Jesus
Niggas is 85%, I'm 400 solid
Brainbolic wit knowledge, cock-diesel scholars”
The most impressive factor of Pun’s style was his near-flawless delivery. His ability to sharply ride the beat with a multi-syllabic vocab is what kept him distinguished amongst the growing thug-rap contingent that overpopulated the New York rap scene during the late 90s. Unfortunately, these crazy verses would be some of the last he would offer, as his weight pushed past the 400lb mark that he referenced in his verse, fluctuating between 450lbs and 700lbs. The gain in weight suppressed his breath control, which is possibly the reason why his unique style was so toned down on his sophomore follow-up Yeeeah Baby!, recorded shortly before he died. Known by most through his music as being a comedian at times, Pun also had the reputation for gettin’ gully when necessary:
“Talk of the town, soakin’ you down with the toast 'til you drown
Ghost you and pound your corpse with a force that'll open the ground
Save the jokes for the clowns, I'm on a serious tip
You keep playin’ and I get furious quick
And now I take you for a walk through the ghetto
Either spark your metal or get outlined in chalk by the devil
I rep the borough that mothered this rap shit
I used to clap shit…”
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Big Punisher – Banned From TV (with Noreaga, Nature, Cam’ron and the Lox)
One of Pun’s closest friends in hip-hop was fellow boriqua Noreaga. Before meeting Pun, Nore had trouble identifying with his Spanish roots, often ignoring their existence. It was through their friendship that Nore began taking more of an interest in his heritage and culture, an interest that years later would fuel him to become an ambassador of Reggaeton to America. On 1998’s “Banned from TV,” the two would collab alongside Nature, the Lox and Cam’ron, who at the time was on damn near every collabo thanks to Lance “Un” Riviera’s push. Over the thumping baseline and scratched horns, Pun flexed his delivery with:
“Ay yo, I hold niggas ransom
For money like Johnny Handsome
Been sonnin’ niggas for so long I think I got a grandson
My passion is money, a stash and a honey
That won't ask questions but will blast anybody”
The song was released on 12” as a warm-up single for Noreaga’s debut fan-favorite N.O.R.E. yet surprisingly has gotten very little retro-play over the years. Well, unless you live in the UK in which case Tim Westwood makes a point of playing it on an almost weekly basis on his radio show due to the Nore line: “I play the best hood, O-T with Tim Westwood.”
