7. Crucial Conflict

Yes, we are counting them as one rapper. Crucial Conflict is from the West Side of Chicago and is made up of Coldhard, Wildstyle, Kilo and Never. The group was discovered by hip-hop impresario Fab Five Freddy. When the video for their smash hit “Hay” hit the airwaves the “rodeo” style took over. It was a glimpse into the Westside of Chicago and was crunk (hyped up) even before crunk was a thing. Crucial Conflict delivered an energy to the game that was different and specific to the city. Their first album, The Final Tic, which was released in 1996, went gold the same year.