Payroll Giovanni, a Detroit underground veteran previously associated with Doughboyz Cashout, and Cardo, a Dallas-based producer known for his work with artists like Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa, joined forces to release a series of mixtapes that blend street hustling narratives with trunk-rattling beats. Their collaboration began with Big Bossin, Vol. 1 in 2016, showcasing a sound that could easily be mistaken for West Coast or Southern hip-hop rather than Midwest. The duo's success led them to sign with Def Jam and release Big Bossin, Vol. 1.5 in 2017, followed by Big Bossin, Vol. 2 in early 2018, with Cardo's impressive production credits including hits for Travis Scott, Migos, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake.

Payroll Giovanni, also known as Dior Giovanni Petty, established himself as a solo artist with self-released mixtapes like Get Money Stay Humble before teaming up with Cardo. Meanwhile, Cardo, also known as Ronald LaTour, garnered recognition for his production work and achieved his first certified-platinum production with Travis Scott's "Goosebumps" in 2016. Their collaboration brought together Payroll Giovanni's gritty storytelling and Cardo's signature beats, resulting in a successful partnership that continues to evolve in the hip-hop scene.