Debuting in 2002, the series focused on hip hop-based interviews with artists including 50 Cent, Jeezy, and the Diplomats, and often served to instigate local feuds and rivalries.

His eleventh mixtape, Mister 16: Casino Life (2011) contained his future hit song "Shot Caller" (featuring Charlie Rock).

Both Ross and Puff Daddy appeared on the official remix of the song, and by December of that year, Montana signed to Combs' Bad Boy Records in a joint venture with Ross' Maybach Music Group; both labels were under Universal Music Group, and the contract was under the aegis of the former label's distributor, Interscope Records.

Its first single, "Pop That" (featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne) was released the following month and became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100—at number 36.

The song also received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America, and was followed by "Freaks" (featuring Nicki Minaj), released in February 2013 and the similarly successful "Ain't Worried About Nothin'" in April; all three served as promotion for Excuse My French (2013), which peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and saw generally negative critical reception.