In 2003, Ciara graduated from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia. Following that, she was signed by LaFace Records executive, L.A. Reid, with the help of Jazze Pha. She began production on her debut album later that year. In early 2004, Ciara wrote a demo with record producer, Sean Garrett. The demo was later brought to the attention of Lil Jon and became her debut single "Goodies". Lil Jon stated later that he knew it would be big seeing how it sounded similar to Usher's international hit, "Yeah!"
