Before 8 Mile, before Scribble Jam and WorldStar, and before MTV and BET developed freestyle shows, there was the Hiero-Hobo battle.

Pitting Saafir and his Hobo Junction crew against Casual and his Hieroglyphics crew, the 1994 rap battle held in KMEL's San Francisco studios, broadcast live on the air, lasted more than 40 minutes. But its aftereffects lasted for decades.

"It was like an out-of-body experience, just watching it," said KMEL host Sway. "It was the most amazing, beautiful conflict you could ever witness."

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