Formation Darion and Shawn grew up on the outskirts of
Albany a few blocks from each other in a relatively poor neighborhood locally known as "The Field" because of its semi-rural location as compared to the city's public housing. As teenagers attending
Monroe Comprehensive High School, Darion observed Shawn and a group of friends holding rap freestyle battles in the schools courtyard, with Shawn being the "reigning champion." Darion decided to challenge Shawn on the idea that "he was just as good" and won. For four weeks afterward, the informal competition continued daily, with the victor alternating between himself and Shawn, and attracting the attention of many other students who came to spectate. Eventually, Shawn offered to form a rap group with Darion, and Field Mob was born. According to Smoke and Shawn Jay, the origins of the duo's name are twofold.
Field is a reference not only to the neighborhood where they grew up, but also an allusion to a slang term for the southern United States.
Mob signifies the strength the duo represents: "We're two people but together we make an army. We're making a strong statement with two people. We're a two man army." Following their debut success, the duo's collaboration was sought after by several well-known regional artists, including
Trick Daddy and
Outkast member
Big Boi, lending further public exposure and notoriety. However, the situation came to the attention of
Disturbing tha Peace CEO
Ludacris, who saw untapped potential in the young rappers. After negotiations, which involved relieving them of their old MCA contract, the group was signed to Disturbing tha Peace in August 2005, shortly thereafter appearing on
Ludacris Presents: Disturbing tha Peace, a collaboration album showcasing the label's new artists. The duo's track "
Georgia" with
Ludacris became an instant underground hit and the albums top-selling single, eventually reaching #39 on the US Billboard 200 and setting the tone for their third album.
Light Poles and Pine Trees After a postponed 2005 release date,
Light Poles and Pine Trees dropped in June 2006 to high acclaim and much fanfare, owing at least partly from an extensive promotional campaign by Disturbing tha Peace and multiple radio promo tracks. This album garnered the pair their biggest hit with its first official single, "So What", featuring
Ciara and coincidentally also produced by Jazze Pha. This release reached number 7 on the US
Billboard 200 and number 2 on
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums. The group's increased success since signing with Disturbing tha Peace was largely attributed to better promotion by their new label and, most importantly, the artistic freedom that the group has been allowed in their new home. Darian related this sentiment in an interview for SOHH.com:
After DTP The group eventually left Disturbing tha Peace Records when, late 2011, Shawn Jay felt disrespected by a song Ludacris produced for his mixtape
1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time which spawned a dispute between the two former label mates. Shawn Jay responded with the diss tracks "P*ssy Boy (Ludacris Diss)" and "Stack a Million (Ludacris Diss)". ==Controversy==