Big Love is one of the most lyrical and controversial figures in the music industry today. Big Love has independently been wowing listeners with his purely unadulterated style and street credibility. You see, Big Love has lived the life that most gangster rappers rhyme about but have never experienced. He’s hustled, he’s robbed, been in jail, he’s been a willing participant in his share of shootings, and of course, he has been shot (5 times) himself. And yet, Big Love has shown his resilience, picking himself up, dusting himself off, getting back on the mic, and dismantling anyone who dares stand in his menacing way. His opposition hates him, his associates are loyal to him and white suburban wannabe-gangsters and Japanese kiddies absolutely love him, making him an influential figure in the world of hip-hop.
He may not be the best representative for your local church; he may not be the model boyfriend you want to bring home to meet the parents; and he may not be the “best” role-model for inner city kids (although he is) – whether you like him or not, there is no denying that Big Love has led an interesting life so far, and that is a severe understatement.
Big Love was born as Eric Miller in Studewood, a notoriously violent Houston, Texas neighborhood, now claimed by mainstream artist Mike Jones. Big Love grew up in two worlds. His hustler father the well known “Sonny Miller” was busy hustling and pimping when not incarcerated. His mother was an intellect and devout Christian who worked hard to install morals and discipline in her son. As Big Love entered his teens, he became more involved in hustling following the lead of his father, whose name held considerable weight in the streets. Big Love grew to prominence as a hustler in the shady world of the underground drug trade.
Big Love continued to dabble in various criminal enterprises but also stayed true to his first love, rap music. By the mid-1990’s, Big Love was turning over a new leaf realizing that there was more money and security to be made in music compared to crime. He met with local producer DJ Blast; the influential old school hip hop collective that was networking with The Wreckless Clan and DJ Screw, who was impressed with Big Love’s emceeing abilities. In 1996, local entrepreneur Sean “Boxx” Wilborn signed Big Love to his Unlimited Records label. He made rotation on Clear Channel broadcast and set the city on fire along with Lil KeKe. Big Love was thankful for Boxx’s mentorship as the young rapper learned the basics of the music industry and influenced the likes of known celebrities like Slim Thug. Big Love then started making headways towards entrepreneurship when he formed Candy Sto’ Productions, his partner Damien “Sweet Daddy D” Dugas recognized Big Love’s true street credibility and talent for incisive lyrics. The team which would later include Nathan “Dougie Doug” Edwards convinced Big Love to independently release a project in 2006, which eventually led to the creation of the Pimp Click album, “Now or Never”. Prior to this album’s production, there were a couple of singles that began to build on Big Love’s legend. Those songs were “What A Playa Won’t Do” (featuring D of TGC), and the hugely popular, “I’m A Pimp”. The last song allowed Big Love to make a significant impact into the music industry, showcasing not only the production talents, but also let the world know about Big Love’s fearless and confrontational bravado. “I’m A Pimp” tells of big pimping in the inner city. It also had the industries big wigs at the time (Ice Cube, Master P) make their own creation. Some of his verbal shots include:
“Put you on my team you bet not bar opposition Versace, Armani, you see there’s no competition”
“When I first hit the cut only had one ho’ flipped a Lexus up in Texas got a hundred and fo’.”
“I guess I’m a pimp cause my ladies stay paid flipping with killers with grills and French braids.”
Big Love’s willingness to rap openly and brashly with lyrics drew attention that would eventually come back to haunt him. In September of 2001, an assassin attempted to take Big Love’s life on 43rd Street in Houston, Texas shooting him five times with an automatic rifle while the rapper sat helpless in the driver seat of a car. Two shots pierced his abdomen, two his arm, and another his leg. Despite the close-range shots, the bullets never punctured any vital organs, and miraculously Big Love barely survived the ordeal.
Big Love’s next project is to elevate the status of his Pimp Click Playaz crew. The crew will release their debut “Now Or Never” in 2006. Big Love is intensely loyal to the Pimp Click and has committed himself to making them as successful as possible. Big Love was quoted, "All we ever needed was the exposure, once we get the needed attention it’ll be obvious who the best in the business is, both the label and the group. ... there really isn’t any competition."
It’s hard to say whether fame and fortune will change Big Love. The man has always had a big thirst for notoriety, money, and guns, and he seems quite knowledgeable in those topics. Although his brazen image as a true thug and gangster will lift his status as one of the most powerful figures in the rap music industry, it is his intelligence, sharp wit, and astute business acumen that will give him staying power. The man knows what he wants, knows how to get it, and knows how to make it even better.