Fort Minor emerged in 2004 as the acclaimed hip-hop side project of Mike Shinoda, the multi-instrumentalist, producer, and rapper best known as a core member of the global rock phenomenon Linkin Park. Conceived in Los Angeles, California, the project served as Shinoda's dedicated outlet to explore and celebrate his foundational love for hip-hop, allowing him to craft narratives and sonic textures distinct from his work with his primary band. The name itself suggested a secondary, yet focused, creative endeavor, and Shinoda acted as the central architect, writing, producing, and performing the majority of the material while curating a roster of collaborators.

The project's sole studio album, The Rising Tied, was released in November 2005 under Shinoda's own Machine Shop Recordings, through a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records. The album was executive produced by hip-hop legend Jay-Z, who had previously collaborated with Linkin Park on the groundbreaking Collision Course mash-up EP. This full-length debut was a meticulously crafted work that showcased Shinoda's versatility, blending conscious lyricism, storytelling, and boom-bap beats. It featured notable guest appearances from artists including Common, John Legend, Holly Brook (now known as Skylar Grey), and Kenna, as well as contributions from Linkin Park bandmate Rob Bourdon on drums.

Fort Minor achieved significant commercial success, particularly with the poignant single "Where'd You Go," which featured Skylar Grey and Holly Brook. Released in 2006, the song became a massive crossover hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving multi-platinum status, a remarkable feat for a side project. Earlier singles "Remember the Name," featuring Styles of Beyond, and "Believe Me," also found substantial airplay, cementing the project's presence in the mid-2000s musical landscape. While The Rising Tied was well-received and demonstrated Shinoda's formidable talent beyond the rock genre, Fort Minor remained a singular album venture.

After the album cycle concluded, Shinoda returned his primary focus to Linkin Park and his other creative pursuits. Fort Minor has been largely dormant since the late 2000s, with only sporadic activity such as the 2015 release of the standalone single "Welcome" for the film Insurgent. The project is remembered as a successful and respected detour that allowed Mike Shinoda to fully express his hip-hop influences, resulting in an enduring album and one of the decade's most recognizable hit songs.