Knoc-Turn'al first contributed multiple compositions to Dr. Dre before deciding to step forward as a performer. Much like other Dre-associated talents, he launched his recording career prominently: after appearing on a handful of tracks from Chronic 2001 in 1999, he gained widespread attention via the Dre-assisted single “Bad Intentions,” which appeared on the 2001 Wash soundtrack, followed by “The Knoc,” again with Dre and featuring Missy Elliott on the chorus. Those two releases quickly established Knoc within rap circles. Observers immediately noted parallels to Snoop Dogg, who had likewise emerged under Dre and shared numerous stylistic traits with Knoc. Yet unlike Snoop, Knoc functioned equally as a songwriter and rapper. Beyond his work for Dre, he supplied material to other Aftermath Records acts such as Truth Hurts and Shaunta. Even with those close connections to Dre and Aftermath, Knoc ultimately aligned with Elektra Records, which granted him his own imprint, L.A. Confidential, although the label encountered difficulties generating commercial traction for the artist. His introductory EP, L.A. Confidential Presents: Knoc-Turn'al, arrived in 2002 and attracted limited notice. Afterward Knoc kept a lower profile while Dre concentrated on projects involving 50 Cent and additional collaborators. Elektra had slated the rapper’s first full-length effort, Knoc's Landin', for release in late 2002; that project never surfaced, however, and Knoc did not issue his debut album until spring 2004, when The Way I Am finally appeared.
