Following Nelly's breakthrough in 2001, one of his fellow group members in the St. Lunatics, Ali, signed with Nelly's label Universal. That same year, Ali introduced himself to the masses on the debut St. Lunatics album, Free City (also released by Universal), and returned shortly after with his debut album in early 2002. The album featured contributions from Nelly and the other St. Lunatics as well as production work by Jason "Jay E" Epperson and Waiel "Wally" Yaghnam. ~ Jason Birchmeier