Editing Stat Quo (section)

=== 2003–2007: Shady Records / Aftermath Entertainment ===
Stat Quo was discovered towards the end of 2003. Dr. Dre and Eminem individually learned of the [[Atlanta]]-based rapper via his ''Underground Atlanta'' mixtapes. After Eminem heard his music, he gained interest and passed it on to Dr. Dre, and a joint deal was reached, resulting in Stat Quo becoming signed to both [[Aftermath Entertainment]] and [[Shady Records]].<ref name="Stat interview">Matt Barone (December 2, 2004). "[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2004/12/0359/ Stat Quo: The Shady South (Interview)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107161132/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2004/12/0359/ |date=January 7, 2009 }}." ''BallerStatus.com''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

His debut album ''[[Statlanta]]'' was originally slated to be released in 2003, under [[Interscope Records]], but was repeatedly pushed back until finally being released independently in 2010, although heavily reworked and not the original Statlanta recorded under Shady/Aftermath, although [[Dr. Dre]] was involved during the production as a supervisor.<ref>Shaheem Reid, Jayson Rodriguez and Rahman Dukes (June 11, 2007). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070614050947/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/061107/ Mixtape Monday: Lil Wayne Plans His Own Leak; Cassidy's Live-From-Jail Rhymes]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref><ref>Julianne Shepherd (June 11, 2007). "[http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2007/06/stat_quo_statlanta/ FIRST SHOT: Stat Quo, "Statlanta"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113184725/http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2007/06/stat_quo_statlanta/ |date=2008-01-13 }}." ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref> Stat Quo is also featured on [[Young Buck]]'s ''[[Straight Outta Cashville]]'', Eminem's compilation album ''[[Eminem Presents the Re-Up]]'' (on tracks "By My Side", Tryin' Ta Win", "Get Low", and on the bonus track "Billion Bucks"), and on the track "Spend Some Time" on Eminem's ''[[Encore (Eminem album)|Encore]]''. Stat has also appeared on tracks with artists such as [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[The Alchemist (producer)|The Alchemist]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], [[Disturbing tha Peace]], and [[Chamillionaire]]. Stat Quo has said that his "number one goal is to bring a respect, and bring a voice to this whole southern movement around the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftermathmusic.com/_interviews/statquo_september_2003.html|website=Aftermathmusic.com |title=Interview with Stat Quo September 2003|access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref>

In 2005, Stat Quo shot a video for his single "Like Dat". The song was made to be a [[word of mouth|buzz]] single, in order to help the artist become more exposed. The video was shot in Atlanta's Zone 3 near the Thomasville Heights projects where Stat Quo was raised and explained his reason for choosing the location in an interview, stating "It's the beginning of my career, so I wanted to start where I began life, […] Plus, [the city of Atlanta] is supposed to be tearing the projects down, so I wanted to showcase the area I grew up in and capture it before it was gone forever", it featured a cameo appearance by fellow [[Atlanta]] rapper [[Ludacris]].<ref>Jay Casteel (June 12, 2005). "[https://archive.today/20070808180501/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2005/06/0739/ Stat Quo To Shoot First Video; Prepares For Anger Management Tour]." ''BallerStatus.com''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

He was featured on the summer 2005 [[Anger Management Tour]], which also included Eminem, [[50 Cent]], [[G-Unit]], [[Obie Trice]], [[D12]], and others.<ref>Gil Kaufman (April 4, 2005). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050407034108/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499505/20050404/eminem.jhtml Eminem, 50, Lil Jon, G-Unit, D12 Team Up For Anger Management 3 Tour This Summer]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref> On July 13, 2005, a tour bus carrying [[Eminem]]'s entourage for the summer's Anger Management tour swerved off the road and turned over. Stat Quo was taken to Independence Regional Health Center in [[Independence, Missouri]], where he was treated and released.<ref>Chris Harris (July 14, 2005). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050716030320/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1505729/07142005/stat_quo.jhtml Anger Management Tour Bus Crashes; Stat Quo, Eminem's DJ Among Those Injured]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>