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, capitalizing on the promise of their debut and showcasing intriguing production choices. But it was their third album, Light Poles and Pine Trees, that finally brought them to the mainstream and cemented their positions as serious hip-hop contenders.