Jonwayne, a Los Angeles-based artist, initially gained recognition as an underground beatmaker before transitioning to a rapper due to a lack of available collaborators. Beginning in 2008, he released a series of digital download albums and mixtapes, solidifying his reputation at L.A.'s influential Low End Theory club night. Signing with Alpha Pup in 2011, he released "Bowser" and self-released "I Don't Care," showcasing his distinctively raw lyrical style. Jonwayne's subsequent partnership with Stones Throw yielded instrumental projects like "Oodles of Doodles" in 2012, followed by his acclaimed debut as an MC, "Rap Album One," in 2013.

In the years that followed, Jonwayne continued to evolve his sound, releasing "Cassette on Vinyl" in 2014 as a summary of his Stones Throw Cassette trilogy. He founded the Authors label in 2015 with the EP "Jonwayne Is Retired," featuring collaborations with artists like Anderson Paak. His output in 2016 included a series of Authors singles and the instrumental album "Here You Go." Jonwayne's introspective and darkly compelling second rap album, "Rap Album Two," arrived in 2017, further cementing his place as a unique voice in the hip-hop landscape.