Kane & Abel

Hailing originally from New York, Kane & Abel relocated to New Orleans during their teenage years. There, they encountered Mia X, who introduced the pair to Master P and facilitated a recording contract with No Limit Records. KLC and Mo B. Dick, previously associated with Down South Hustlers and Tru, handled production duties on the duo's debut album 7 Sins, issued in 1996. The follow-up, Am I My Brother's Keeper, arrived two years later.

In 1999, Kane & Abel departed No Limit to establish their independent imprint Most Wanted, which EastWest handled distribution for. Rise to Power marked their initial release on the new label that autumn. Just prior to its launch, the twins faced arrest in May alongside convicted dealer Richard Pena on charges of cocaine distribution conspiracy. The incident generated notable attention for the project, especially since the brothers claimed the operation sought to pressure them into testifying against Master P. Following a plea bargain, they issued Most Wanted toward the end of 2000. The record included the club favorite "Shake It Like a Dog," which achieved sufficient traction among the underground Southern act that a summer 2001 reissue added four fresh bonus cuts such as "Show Dat Work (Shake It Like a Dog, Pt. 2)" with Mystikal.