Chicago's Crucial Conflict emerged in 1996 with their hit song "Hay," blending Cypress Hill's weed philosophy with a unique hip-hop sound inspired by the Old West. Comprised of Wildstyle, Kilo, Coldhard, and Never, who grew up on Chicago's West Side, the group signed to UNIV label and achieved R&B Top Five success with their debut album, The Final Tic, in the same year. Despite label conflicts, they continued to perform live and made a comeback in 2008 with Planet Crucon, showcasing their enduring presence in the music scene, including performances at notable events like the 2015 SXSW festival as part of Twista's Midwestern Artists Showcase.