Detroit MCs E-fave (Emile Manette), Ilajide (Kortez Marion), J-Roc (Jarred Douglas), and L.A.Z. (Jarrel Lowman) formed Clear Soul Forces in the wake of a spur-of-the-moment studio meeting with Motor City rap veteran Royce da 5'9". Through their Bandcamp page, CSF issued a number of small-scale releases across 2010, 2011, and 2012, with some beats provided by the likes of Detroit's Jay Norm, Flint (Michigan) native Nameless, Glasgow's Hudson Mohawke, and FLYamSam (aka Flying Lotus and Samiyam, whose collaboration was originally heard as an instrumental on the Ghostly Swim compilation). In March 2012, Clear Soul Forces released the album Detroit Revolution(s). Featuring 11 productions from Ilajide — the other four tracks were produced or co-produced by Nameless, KanKick, and King Midas — the set was made available as a pick-your-price Bandcamp download. The following month, the MCs were showcased in a 12-minute documentary put together by Red Bull Music Academy.