After producing hits for the likes of 2Pac, Jay-Z, and E-40, the California-based Rick Rock recruited rappers Doonie Baby, Goldie Gold, and Mr. Stress and formed his own crew, Federation, in 2002. Their debut, simply titled The Album, appeared in 2004 on the Virgin label. Critics and the hip-hop faithful graced the hostile, hard album with praise, but Rock wasn't satisfied with Virgin's promotion, even if the album did eventually go gold. In 2005, Rock announced he was moving the band to the Warner Bros. family of labels, and Federation resurfaced two years later on the Reprise division with It's Whateva (2007). ~ David Jeffries