After departing from Elektra Smith signed to upstart label
J Records (
Wyclef Jean,
Rhymefest), helmed by industry veteran
Clive Davis. He went on to release two albums on J Records, 2001’s
Genesis and 2002’s
It Ain’t Safe No More. Though the albums sold respectably and spawned a number of successful singles including
"Break Your Neck",
"Make It Clap", and
"I Know What You Want", Rhymes departed from J Records in 2004, singing to
Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment.
Sensing his reggae-inspired sound was becoming stale, Rhymes began to adopt a melodic, somewhat humorous sound for his further releases, symbolically shaving off his dreadlocks upon the release of his most recent album
The Big Bang (2006).
The Big Bang - his most successful album since
E.L.E. - spawned a whopping seven singles, including
"Touch It",
"I Love My Chick", and
"New York Shit". After touring extensively in support of the album throughout 2007, Rhymes plans to release an eighth album titled
I’m Blessed in 2008, with the lead singles confirmed to be
"Watch Ya Mouth" and
"Don't Touch Me (Throw Da Water On 'Em)".