That year, while still a student at the University of Michigan, he worked on songs for Trey Songz ("Ur Behind") and UGK's Bun B ("Hold You Down"). Over the next few years, he maintained a close alliance with Trey Songz while producing and writing for the likes of LeToya, Chrisette Michele, Ginuwine, Monica, and Keri Hilson. His biggest successes during this phase of his career involved co-writing credits on Plies' "She Got It Made," Soulja Boy's "Speakers Going Hammer," and Lloyd's "Cupid." His profile increased slowly but surely; he signed to Jive as a solo artist and started issuing mixtapes in 2010. His self-produced, self-written single "Trouble," featuring a verse from J. Cole, registered on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart the following August and peaked at number 34. The next year, he produced material for Justin Bieber, Iggy Azalea, and Big Time Rush, while his own "Lights Down Low," featuring Waka Flocka Flame, reached number 68. He then switched his name to Maejor Ali and released "Lolly," a single featuring Bieber and Juicy J that reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. ~ Andy Kellman