Plan B released his first single, the double A-side "Kidz / Dead and Buried" in 2005, as a limited edition 7" vinyl of which only 500 copies were pressed.

The album's breakthrough single, "Mama (Loves a Crackhead)", was released in July 2006—marking the musician's first chart appearance, when it peaked at number forty-one in the United Kingdom" In January 2010, Plan B released the single "Stay Too Long" as the lead single from his second studio album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks.

A further five singles were released from the studio album: "Prayin'", "The Recluse", "Love Goes Down", "Writing's on the Wall" and "Hard Times"—the latter of which featured additional vocals from Elton John and Paloma Faith.

The lead single, also entitled "Ill Manors", became his third top ten single—peaking at number six in the United Kingdom.

The follow-up singles, "Lost My Way", "Deepest Shame" and "Playing with Fire", all achieved different levels of success, peaking at No.