Blending ‘s weed philosophy with a self-styled hopalong hip-hop sound based on the Old West, Chicago’s Crucial Conflict hit the airwaves in 1996 with the marijuana ode “Hay.” Members Wildstyle, Kilo, Coldhard, and grew up on Chicago’s West Side and began rapping as a way to pass time on the mean streets. Signed to the UNIV label in 1996, the foursome hit the R&B Top Five with the June release of The Final Tic, which went gold later that year. Good Side, Bad Side followed in 1998. After ten years of label conflicts and time spent collaborating on local projects, Crucial Conflict returned with Planet Crucon in 2008. New material failed to appear, but the group remained an active live act, including an appearance at the 2015 SXSW festival during ‘s Midwestern Artists Showcase. ~ John Bush, Rovi

Chicago’s Do or Die gained a hit with their first single, Po Pimp. Released on a tiny Chicago label, the track became a local hit and sparked the group’s signing by Houston’s Rap-A-Lot Records. Given a wide release in the summer of 1996, the single hit number 22, increasing the buzz for a full-length from the group. In September of that year, Picture This was released on Rap-A-Lot. Do or Die returned to action in the spring of 1998, releasing their second album, Headz or Tailz. Victory followed two years later. Back 2 the Game (2002) and Pimpin’ Ain’t Dead (2003) did well in Chicago and on the West Coast, but nationwide the group was being ignored by radio. With , , and all making guest appearances, 2005’s D.O.D. was an attempt to change this. A year later, Do or Die went in a totally different direction by releasing the hard, street-minded Get That Paper with the lone guest star. ~ John Bush, Rovi

Producer , engineer, songwriter

Owner/Artist/Producer of Overdose Muzik, from ALBANY NY. Co-Owner of Tight life Records. Artist/Producer Pintagon ASR VOL. 1 Allen St Rec./Thump Rec/Universal, Producer/Artist of THE TALIBAN/DIP SET Mixtapes. Qualude has worked with Andy Vandette, Mastering Engineer, Kedar, Mr. Cheeks, UnKasa, Sean Price and many other artists.

Profound Hip Hop Artist & GNMC Branding Company Owner. Chicago MC

Deen Akbar ‘The RapGod’, born in the 90’s during the Renaissance of the Golden Era, he’s an acclaimed Hip Hop Artist from the Southside of Chicago. He wrote his first verse at 8 yrs old, and been creating ever since. Since 13 yrs old, he’s participated in many open mics, battles, competitions amd major events. In May of 2022, he won his first ‘Spittinbarz’ competition hosted by ‘Nico & Chopz Diggity’ ‘first place’ to open up for ‘Twista’ in Cincinnati, OH. He later release his first mixtape album ‘RapGod’ in July of 2022. In October of 2022, Deen Akbar has became the newest member of ‘Crucial Conflict’ through ‘Coldhard’ performing at the Sauce Festival. In December of 2022, he won his second ‘Spittinbarz’ competition ‘first place’ to open up for ‘Bizzy Bone’ in Cleveland, OH. In May of 2023, he becomes apart of the ‘I’m Busy Tour’ by Bizzy Bone to open up for him in Manitowoc, WI. In May of 2024, he wins his third ‘Spittinbarz’ competition in a row ‘first place’ to have his new single ‘I Did It’ produced and engineered by Ish Made DaBeat from the sophomore album ‘Long Overdue’ aired on POWER92 Raw Radio (92.3), 10-minute interview by Seandale, and he will open up for ‘Twista, Do Or Die, Crucial Conflict, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Da Brat, and many more at ‘The Piazza’ in Aurora, IL. on September 13th, 2024. Deen Akbar always came out on top with his rapid lyricism/wordplay, unique styles, storytelling ability, punch-lines, metaphors, similes, riddles, schemes, unorthodox teachings, and freestyles (off the top). He plans to restore Hip Hop back in it’s essence providing the guidance, truth, pain, struggle, knowledge of self and intellect thru his wordplay. #GodBodySourcezLLC #ChicagoArtist #DeenAkbar #RapGod #GodBodyz #GBZ #HipHop #Rap #Southside

The K.R.A – Defying Conventions, Defining a New Era! Born in the underground but destined for domination, The K.R.A. is a five-piece wrecking crew that smashes boundaries between rap, funk, and metal. Fueled by adrenaline, attitude, and a drive to elevate minds, The K.R.A. blends punishing riffs, explosive beats, and high-voltage lyricism into an unstoppable force of nature. At the heart of the mayhem is DJ TU-3, the sonic architect, spinning chaos into order with razor-sharp scratches, earth-shaking drops, and an electrifying presence that keeps the energy cranked to 11. Backed by a team of relentless musicians and a frontman who spits bars like firebombs, The K.R.A. doesn’t just play music—they unleash a Mind Over Matter Metal movement that empowers, energizes, and electrifies. Mission Statement: The K.R.A. is more than just music—it’s a movement. A high-energy fusion of raw metal power and razor-sharp hip-hop flow, we bring anthems of resilience, rebellion, and relentless self-belief to the world. We call it Mind Over Matter Metal—a sonic battle cry that pushes past limits, fuels the fire within, and proves that no obstacle is too great when the mind is stronger than the challenge. We’re here to ignite mosh pits, shake stages, and inspire warriors of every kind to take control of their destiny. No fear. No doubt. No surrender. This is The K.R.A. What Mind Over Matter Metal Means: This isn’t just about sound—it’s about strength. The K.R.A. stands for resilience, mental toughness, and never backing down. Life throws walls in your way—we break through them. Every lyric, every riff, and every beat is designed to push you past your limits and remind you that you are stronger than your struggles. We want this energy to spread like wildfire across the globe, uniting everyone who dares to dream bigger, fight harder, and rise higher. If you’re ready to step up, stand tall, and own your power, welcome to The K.R.A.—where the mind rules, the music roars, and the movement never stops. Join us as we shatter the boundaries of traditional rap and metal, forging a unique sound that’s raw, unapologetic, fun, and undeniably electrifying. With our debut album, we’re unleashing a sonic storm that’s set to redefine the rap metal and nu metal landscape. The K.R.A doesn’t conform to norms or follow the rules – we blaze our own trail, crafting music that’s as unpredictable as it is powerful. Brash, bold, and bursting with energy, our sound has drawn comparisons to the legendary Body Count, Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy, Fever 333, Living Colour, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Aight Bet, and Fish Bone but make no mistake – we’re carving out our own legacy. Get ready to experience the future of rap metal – join us and be a part of history in the making!” The K.R.A Announces “Who The F Is U Tour 2025”! After an explosive 2024, The K.R.A is ready to hit the road for their first-ever Midwest tour, The Who The F Is U Tour. The journey kicks off in April 2025 and runs through December 2025, covering eight Midwest states, including their home state of Illinois. The K.R.A capped off 2024 with a series of unforgettable performances, opening for St. Louis icon Zeus Rebel in June, sharing the stage with legends Crucial Conflict at the Chicago 606 Anniversary, and closing the year strong at the Unrap Podcast: Spilled Barz Englewood Showcase. These pivotal moments have solidified their place as a force in the rap metal scene, setting the stage for a massive year ahead. Fans eager to witness the raw energy and intensity of The K.R.A live can sign up for the mailing list to be the first to receive tour updates, including dates, times, and locations. Exclusive tickets and special offers will be available to mailing list subscribers before they’re announced publicly. Get ready, Midwest—The K.R.A is coming to shake things up.