Jadakiss began embarking on a solo career in 2001 and his debut album, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye, was released in August 2001 on the Ruff Ryders/ Interscope label. It featured production from Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and spawned one single, " Ryde Or Die, Bitch", featuring fellow Ruff Ryders artist Eve. The album was once again a success, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. They released their second album, We Are The Streets in 2000, through Ruff Ryders. Following the release of their debut album, the group left the label to sign with Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Though the record was successful, The Lox grew unhappy with Bad Boy Records and Puff Daddy's glossy, radio friendly production, feeling it conflicted with their grimier street aesthetic. The album was both a commercial and critical success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and went on to achieve platinum status. The success and reception of the song opened the door for them to write more of their own songs, and in 1998, the Lox released their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect. tribute song " I'll Be Missing You", and received widespread commercial success, achieving multi-platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song was chosen as the B-side to Puff Daddy's smash hit B.I.G. in the wake of his 1997 death, titled "We'll Always Love Big Poppa". The Lox's first hit song was a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.
The group developed a close relationship with B.I.G., during which time Jadakiss especially was taken under his wing. to Live", Mariah Carey's "Honey", Mary J. Blige's "Can't Get You Off My Mind" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Last Day". They made their first appearance on Main Source's 1994 LP Fuck What You Think on the track "Set it Off." They immediately began writing and performing on hit songs with fellow Bad Boy artists, including Puff Daddy's "It's All About the Benjamins" and "I Got the Power", Mase's "24 Hrs. Upon signing with Bad Boy, Puff Daddy shortened the group's name from The Warlocks to simply The Lox. They eventually met Mary J. Blige, who, impressed with their lyrics, handed their demo to Puff Daddy, who signed the group to his label Bad Boy Entertainment. Along with Styles and Louch, he formed a group known as The Warlox, and the trio began rapping together. Phillips quickly developed a small underground fanbase and at the age of 12, entered himself into a freestyle competition in Florida where he attracted the attention of the owners of Ruff Ryders Entertainment.