The Yonkers trio of Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch, long known as the hardcore rhyme force the LOX, rechristened themselves in 2001 as D-Block. Where the former was a closed unit of three, D-Block added a ginormous supporting crew, building a stable of rappers approaching Wu-Tang dimensions. D-Block's rolling out was slow and steady while the three central MCs concentrated on solo careers, but late in the decade the mixtapes started to come in a flurry as they were ready to unveil their anarchic, adventurous new sound.