Bands such as the Kaiser Chiefs and Embrace have put Leeds firmly on the national and international map.
Now Kieran Babra and Gareth Weekes, 'Babs' and 'Weeksie' to their mates, feel the time is right for the emerging hip-hop scene to gain some recognition.
The pair have just signed a distribution deal with a London-based firm to sell their DVD, Road 2 Success Vol 1, across the country.
It is the latest offering from the duo's group Stay Focus and features songs penned and performed by themselves and other rappers from their home turf of Chapeltown including Big Brother contestant Science, aka Kieron Harvey.
The DVD also includes interviews and 'freestyle' raps shot by Babs and Weeksie around the streets of North Leeds where they grew up.
Weeksie, 26, said: "Stay Focus isn't just about music, it's about having a positive approach to life and following your ambitions.
"We've got a strong street following, kids come up to us in the streets, so we thought we'd use the DVD and the name of Stay Focus to promote the talent in the area. Our next step will be to try to get it on Channel U, the urban channel."
Stay Focus was formed by the two Allerton Grange School friends in 2003.
The rappers scored their first underground hit last year with their debut album Ghetto Issues, which sold out in Crash, Jumbo, HMV and Virgin in Leeds.
Cool
They followed this up with a second album Street Mix in March which also flew off the shelves.
For Babs, also 26, Road to Success is the continuation of his move away from a life of crime which ended in a six-and-a-half year jail sentence for drug dealing.
He said: "It's changed from when I was young and it was cool to be a criminal. Now it's cool to be good.
"I think there are more positive role models around and we're hoping to be one of those. Stay Focus is about having a target and keeping to that target."
He added: "The DVD is more like a promotional film to show the country what's going on in Leeds, and especially Chapeltown.
"It's showing the rest of the city there's a lot of talent around here, right on your doorstep. Hopefully it will take us on to the next level."
For more information visit www.stayfocus.co.uk.
charles.heslett@ypn.co.uk