Boosted by the likes of Master P, Jermaine Dupri and Outkast, Southern-based hip-hop has stolen much of the thunder from both the East Coast and the West Coast styles. Now, Crucial Conflict is hoping to shift the geocenter of hip-hop a little towards the windy city with its new album, "Good Side, Bad Side."

For it sophomore effort, Crucial Conflict sought help from established Chicago-based acts such as R&B vocalist R. Kelly and rap group Do or Die, but also tapped some up-and-coming acts for the album, including the Renegades, T-Baby and MFD.

"That's the role we play as far as being artists from Chicago," explained the group's in-house producer Wild-Style, "we 're trying to open up those doors for other performers in Chicago."

"Good Side, Bad Side," the follow-up to the Crucial Conflict's 1996 gold debut, "The Final Tic," is due in-stores on November 3. The first single from the record, "Scummy," is currently out on radio now.