As a solo act, Styles signed with Ruff Ryders' parent label, Interscope Records to release his debut studio album, A Gangster and a Gentleman (2002).

David R. Styles was born November 28, 1974, in Corona, Queens, New York City, to a South African mother and a Jamaican father from Bed-Stuy.

In their late teens, the trio met Mary J. Blige who was impressed with their lyrical content, and gave their demo to Sean "Puffy" Combs.

After signing with Bad Boy, the Lox quickly started collaborating on hits with Combs, the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey which gave them instant notoriety and status within the hip-hop and mainstream charts.

[7] In 1997, the Lox received international acclaim when their tribute to the late Biggie Smalls, "We'll Always Love Big Poppa", was picked as the B-side track from Combs' No Way Out album (3× Platinum) with the number one hit, "I'll Be Missing You".

[7] This single was the most played hit in 1997, which opened the door for the Lox's to write more of their own songs and eventually release their first album in January 1998 titled Money, Power & Respect.

After trying and failing to get Combs to grant them a release from their contract, the group confronted him in his office, with Styles P throwing a chair at his own boss.

Styles has made many references to Gary in his music, including the tribute song "My Brother", from his debut album A Gangster and a Gentleman.

Styles surrendered himself to authorities on November 26, 2002, and began serving his eight-month sentence in the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, New York, the same day.

[30] Styles P launched a Web3 Music NFT project called "The Farmacy Fantoms" with Gregory Cohen known as MΞT∆DUTCH and Daniel Dapaah.

Holders receive discounts on brands, access to shows and events, and all the intellectual property associated with the NFT such as the instrumentals, acapellas, and stems.