The Final Tic

“The Final Tic” is the debut studio album by Chicago rap group Crucial Conflict, released on July 2, 1996, through Pallas Records and Universal Records.

The story

Crucial Conflict first surfaced with an independent release in 1993. After lineup changes brought in Coldhard and Never alongside Kilo and Wildstyle, the group signed with Universal in 1996. The lead single “Hay,” an ode to marijuana released in April 1996, broke the group nationally ahead of the album. “Ride the Rodeo” and “Showdown” followed as singles.

Sound and production

The album was recorded at The Barn studio in Chicago and is largely credited to group member Ralph “Wildstyle” Leverston, with additional credits for Shorty Capone, Roy Cormier and Fab 5 Freddy. “Hay” is built on a sample of Funkadelic’s “I’ll Stay.” The album runs 15 tracks.

Legacy

“Hay” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and was certified gold. The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, earning gold certification that September and platinum status in early 1997. Critical response was mixed, but commercially it was one of the most successful Chicago rap albums of the mid-1990s.