Super Lyrical: 13 Larger Than Life Big Pun Songs

In the story of Big Punisher, there has never been anything false about his lyrical genius. Born Christopher Lee Rios, Pun's rhymes – traditionally laden with alliteration and multi-syllabic schemes – swaggered on rhythm steeped in boom bap and Latin funk, carving space for future bicultural and bilingual MCs like him. Regarded as one of the greatest lyricists of all time, Pun's larger-than-life legacy leaves behind a catalog of music that seamlessly blends signature grit, humor and braggadocio, making it obligatory to scream Big Pun forever! even 17 years after his untimely death. To get you through this holy day, hurdle over 13 of the Bronx native's most excellent cuts in the gallery above.

Rest in power.