His raw talent would throw some chance meetings in his path that would ultimately lead him to be recognized in the Unsigned Hype column of the March 2004 The Source Magazine as well as to be selected as Charimans Choice for XXL Magazine. During the same time Joell also went on to win the 2004 EA Sports Battle which earned his song Mean Business a spot on the NBA Live 2005 soundtrack.
Joell Ortiz has signed to Aftermath Records. Aftermath is the label producer Dr. Dre founded after he departed Death Row Records. In a prewritten statement, Ortiz expressed his desire to be mentioned among the other greats in the rap game.
"So far it's been great and I'm glad people are feeling me now but I know I have a long way to go before I'm running with the big boys like Jay-Z or 50 Cent," Ortiz said in a statement. "That's where I'm trying to reach, nothing less."