Big Ed

Big Ed
Background information
Birth name	Edward Lee Knight
Also known as	Big Ed the Assassin
Born	1971 Richmond, California, United States
Died	2001 (aged 29–30) New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Genres	Hip hop, Gangster rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Years active	1992 — 2000
Labels	Special Forces Records, No Limit Records, Priority Records
Associated acts	Master P, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, TRU, Snoop Dogg

Edward Lee Knight (1971–2001), best known by his stage name Big Ed (or briefly Big Ed the Assassin), was an American rapper who was signed to Master P's No Limit Records in 1992, although releasing his first and only solo album The Assassin on No Limit in 1998.

Early life

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

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

The Assassin and Special Forces Records

His 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

Big Ed died of throat cancer in August 2001, and his third album, Edward Lee Knight 1971-2001, was released posthumously the same month.

Discography