Theodore Unit is a loose collective of Staten Island rappers associated with the Wu-Tang Clan's rapper and executive Ghostface Killah. The name "Theodore" is derived from "The Open Door", meaning the group acts as an open door to rappers who can prove themselves. It has also been stated it stands for "The Doers", as in those with initiative and will.

The group's origins begin with Ghostface's 2001 album, Bulletproof Wallets, on the track "Theodore", which featured rappers Trife da God and Twiz, both of whom would become members of Ghost's posse. (Though Twiz was also formerly of Raekwon's crew American Cream Team) Trife, along with Kryme Life, would leave their trio T.M.F. to join the newly named "Theodore Unit", as would Shawn Wigs and Du-Lilz of Othorized F.A.M.. The crew was initially supposed to include Raekwon and Polite, but they then chose to form on their own, as Cream Team had been dissolved and they were launching Ice Water. Instead, the line-up held together with Solomon Childs and long-standing Wu-affiliate Cappadonna, as features on Theodore Unit's debut album, 718 (named after the Stapleton, Staten Island area code in which they all reside). However, the album would largely feature Trife da God and - naturally - Ghostface Killah, with only solitary appearances from Kryme Life and Du-Lilz; Twiz was not featured. (Indeed he was to not be part of neither Cream Team nor Theodore for too long)