Foxxx spent a couple years underground and reappeared with contributions to records by Gang Starr and M.O.P. Frustrated by the "sink or swim" practices of the common major label, he also started his own label, Kjac, and received distribution from Landspeed for his second official solo album, 2000s Industry Shakedown, for which he was billed as Bumpy Knuckles. The veteran rapper developed the alter ego after hearing a comment from someone who witnessed a display of his pugilist skills. Having realized the gradual mellowing of his temper throughout the years -- Foxxx would only occasionally get his blood up in comparison to his more violent childhood -- he began blaming his rare flare-ups on the Knuckles alias. With production work from DJ Premier, Diamond D., and Pete Rock, the release took aim at the evils of the record industry. Konexion, also featuring input from Premier, came in 2003 on the Rapster label. A series of mixtapes, as well as guest features, followed, including appearances on John Cena's You Can't See Me, Akrobatik's Absolute Value, and MF Doom's Born Like This. Meanwhile, worked on releases with Krupt Mob and prepared Amerikkkan Black Man.