Hailed as the "new voice of ghetto soul" and acknowledged as the first act signed to NBA great Magic Johnson's Magic Johnson Music, Cleveland native Avant celebrated the MCA Records release of his debut album, My Thoughts, on May 2, 2000. Around the same time, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter was enjoying a Top Five Billboard R&B/hip-hop hit single, "Separated." Avant wrote "Separated" based on his feelings following a failed romantic relationship and felt that the Lord had blessed him enough for being allowed to put his sadness down on paper.

In 2002, a new album was released on Johnson's subsidiary. Private Room followed in 2003 and Director in 2006; both albums spawned a clutch of Top 20 R&B singles. He then jumped to Capitol, which issued Avant's self-titled album in 2008. Upon its release, lead single "Break Ya Back" was also in the Top 20 of the R&B chart.