Emerging from the West Coast scene, Dubble-OO first displayed his sharp, nasally delivery through early partnerships with other California rappers including Philthy Rich and the Jacka. While splitting his time between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, he joined the Jacka for the 2013 release Futuristic Mob LP and later worked with Philthy Rich on 2014’s MPR (“Money, Power, Respect”). He completed his debut solo project that same year, only for progress to halt after the Jacka’s murder in Oakland, California, in February 2015. The death of his friend and mentor plunged Dubble-OO into prolonged grief, pushing back the arrival of Next Level until 2016. The polished album featured guest turns from J. Stalin, Husalah, and Mikey Vegaz, plus the Jacka tribute “[MIP] Mob in Peace” and the single “Nas No Speed Limit.”
