Big Ed (rapper)
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Big Ed | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Lee Knight |
| Also known as |
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| Born | November 2, 1971 Richmond, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 8, 2001 (aged 29)[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 1992–2001 |
| Labels |
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Edward Lee Knight (November 2, 1971 – July 8, 2001), best known by his stage name Big Ed the Assassin, often shortened to Big Ed, was an American rapper.
Knight was signed to Master P's No Limit Records in 1992 and featured on several of its releases during the 1990s, including those by Master P, C-Murder, Mac and Soulja Slim. It released his debut album, The Assassin, in 1998.
Knight left No Limit in 2000, starting his own label, Special Forces Records. He released his second album, Special Forces, on May 9, 2000. His third and final album, Edward Lee Knight 1971-2001, was released posthumously in August 2001.
Early life
[edit]Knight was born in Richmond, California, and attended Eastern Washington University from 1992 to 1993 on a basketball scholarship, but dropped out to pursue a career in rap music in the Bay Area with Master P's West Coast Bad Boy Clique.
Career
[edit]Big Ed was an original member of the rap group TRU (The Real Untouchables), appearing on the group's first three albums, Who's Da Killer?, Understanding the Criminal Mind and True. Throughout the 90s, Ed had guest spots on many of No Limit's other releases such as Master P's 99 Ways to Die, Silkk the Shocker's debut The Shocker and Mia X's Unlady Like.
Solo career
[edit]The Assassin and Special Forces Records
[edit]Big Ed's debut album, The Assassin, was released on September 1, 1998, and peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
In 2000, Big Ed left No Limit to start his own record label, Special Forces Records. He released his second album through this label, 2000's Special Forces, which featured contributions from his former No Limit labelmates.
Death
[edit]Big Ed the Assassin died from lymphoma cancer on July 8, 2001. His third album, Edward Lee Knight 1971-2001, was released posthumously the next month.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Release | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| The Assassin | 1998 | 15 | 3 | |
| Special Forces | 2000 | — | 25 | |
| Edward Lee Knight 1971–2001 | 2001 | — | — | |
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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References
[edit]- ^ AllHipHop (9 July 2001). "Big Ed The Assassin Passes - Exclusive Hip Hop News, Interviews, Rumors, Rap & Music Videos - Allhiphop". allhiphop.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- 1971 births
- 2001 deaths
- African-American male rappers
- American male rappers
- Musicians from Richmond, California
- West Coast hip-hop musicians
- No Limit Records artists
- Rappers from California
- Gangsta rappers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 20th-century African-American musicians
- Deaths from lymphoma in the United States
- Deaths from cancer in Louisiana