On their debut album, 2000's 613: Ashy to Classy, Shawn Jay and Smoke took the hip-hop world by storm. It may not have received widespread recognition, but it was an underground critical success. Their next release, From tha Roota to tha Toota, was a commercial hit, capitalising on the promise of their debut and showcasing intriguing production choices. It was their third album though, Light Poles and Pine Trees, that finally brought them to the mainstream and cemented their positions as serious hip-hop contenders.