The title and concept of the album entails exploring the "ecology" of one's environment: the people, objects, and events surrounding one's life, the things that provoke human behavior, how individual choices lead to different paths, and how everyone and everything is ultimately interconnected.

[7][8][9] Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut solo album Boy Meets World in 2009, Fashawn spent the subsequent years involved in numerous musical endeavors.

Through collaboration albums, mixtapes, and guest appearances, he worked with many high-profile artists and producers such as J. Cole,[10] Wiz Khalifa,[11] Murs,[12] Evidence,[13] DJ Dahi,[11] and 9th Wonder.

[14] He also continued to tour around the United States and overseas, including joining Kendrick Lamar on stage for a duo freestyle at Hip Hop Kemp,[15] as well as performing the entrance theme to WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley's rematch against Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"[18] On June 9, 2014, a variety of media outlets reported that Fashawn had officially signed to Nas' Mass Appeal Records, and that The Ecology was scheduled to be released under the new label.

On August 21, 2014, Fashawn held a private listening party for The Ecology at a sold-out venue in his hometown Fresno, California, where attendees heard the entire album for the first time.

[21] To kickoff The Ecology tour in the United States, a special album release concert took place at Echoplex in Los Angeles on February 26, 2015, in which Fashawn headlined a sold-out venue with additional performances by Aloe Blacc, Blu, Exile, and more.

The film is directed by Punit Dhesi, and features heartfelt reflections given by Fashawn, his mother and uncle, manager Aren Hekimian, producer Exile, mentor Evidence, and others.

[37] Darryl Robertson of XXL gave the album an XL rating, saying that "The Ecology’s core throbs with an MC offering an array of content matched with the confidence to tell his story, even if it’s not about moving tons of drugs, fucking bitches and being covered in jewels.

"[38] HipHopDX gave the album a favorable review, stating that "Fashawn’s sophomore release is a strong follow-up, six years in the making, that hits hard while preaching perseverance.

"[5] In a positive review for Exclaim!, Del F. Cowie wrote that "Fashawn hangs admirably with his label boss [Nas], assertively vowing he's in it for the long haul, issuing a forthright missive that confirms The Ecology was definitely worth the wait.".