LightningCloud released their self-titled debut in 2012 to critical acclaim. Sam Slovik of the L.A. Weekly called the group, "a near-earth object inventing new realms of the Electro-House-Hip-Hop revolution on the planet. Urban futurist, MC RedCloud and Crystle Lightning are L.A.'s subterranean Bonnie and Clyde." The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) honored the group with recognition for Best Hip Hop Album in November 2012. In 2013, LightningCloud battled their way past the best MCs in Southern California to win the "Who's Next: Battle for the Best" contest on the number one hip hop station in the United States, Power 106. As winners, LightningCloud received a cash prize, a performance with Kendrick Lamar, and the honor of representing the best of west coast hip hop against Hot 97's Brooklyn-based, east coast representative Radamiz in a freestyle battle in Austin, Texas on March 15, 2013. After winning that MC battle, LightningCloud received the opportunity to work with Timbaland in the recording studio.