The Battle - Casual x Saafir - A Shomari Smith Short Film

[@kwiz90]

RIP Saafir and Major respect to Casual two Lyrical Legends

[@curtmcgirt4207]

RIP to Saafir, man 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Very original and severely underrated 🕊🕊🕊🕊

[@KingChaperail]

Wish this had gotten placed on Netflix along with the Souls Documentary. It deserves that type of recognition. Low key future battling circuits owe this move.

[@tragiksituation]

Saafir was before his time with that unorthodoxed flo....🔥💯

[@kevinscott59]

The illest. My favorite emcee of all-time. Real heads know.

[@DeeZee75]

Nah, he was terrible. He didn't ride the beat half the time and lacked rhythm.

[@thatbronzeboij]

@@DeeZee75 🤡 🤡 🤡

[@thatbronzeboij]

@@DeeZee75 nah.....

[@iamJoeTheThird]

Agreed!

[@specswizardry]

Saafir killed it! we used to bump this tape in Seattle all day!

[@rickrashinel]

This is Rashinel of the Hobo Junction. Reading these comments. Bring back memories…….. there are a lot of misnomers and a lot of things that people didn’t understand on what was going on in the background and how really enter twine the two crews were. A lot of people were so spooked of us they didn’t give a chance for us all to wrap. Somehow some security guard snatched me up and put me in a room because I thought I was some type of threat Poke Martian didn’t get a chance to rap because he wasn’t even there and really, that was really kind of between casual and Saafir. we just supportive of anybody in our group HoboJunction. For good or bad we would always have each other’s back in the Junction just like Kira did with casual but if you noticed there were people missing if it was a hobo Jairo thing where was A+? Where was Del. Our whole crew wasn’tbecause really everybody wasn’t really with the battle because a lot of it was just exploitation of the two groups……. One day when one of these Podcasters or journalist or media have the courage to come talk and really get our side of the situation. I think it would kind of balance everything out but shout out to hiero shout out to Tajai to shout out to Del shot out the A+ shout out to Auto‘s cats because really everybody had love and respect for each other. That’s why we still fuck with each other to this day, and let’s clear up off top of head and writtens. A lot of us Hobo Junction members are actually street dudes too so in a fight there’s no rules……. We were all fighting for pride, and for our lives and Hiphop no one set out at the beginning to say oh well you only can rap with off the head rhymes, and if you go back and listen to even hi Rose, they my rip wrote some of that shit too……. Saafir is raps weren’t all written a lot of that was off the head….. skill, a skill whether it’s off the head or someone have premeditated wraps. You know saying Dopest, dope not all makes it better because you’re just improvising off the head……… really is just a moment in time and hip hop over some of the start of small and then got big and it ends up being dangerous……. If you all knew what really happened after the battle and even before the battle, it was really a battle. He knows I am very personal and you know a lot of people feel disrespected in our crew because we hurt people disrespecting us or whatever what are you supposed to do just be OK with disrespect no we don’t have a boys back and then we’re gonna come up there and do what we need to do.

[@FREEDUMB4ALL]

Thanks for sharing a lil inside bit about that. Saafir crushed it though. I always bumped all you guys. Both crews made hella dope music and some of you still do! Manic mundaze!

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

Salute Rashinel... I remember you from Saafir's first album and the Hobo JCT albums. I'm here in Mississippi and read about the Wake Up Show battle in the publications and hate I missed it. A couple years later clips of the battle were included on some of the Best Of The Wake Up Show cassettes and I copped those. I'm so glad someone posted the entire battle here on YT. Much love to Hobo Junction, much love to Hieroglyphics...Brothers went to war, shed blood on the mic, no one got killed and now years later they get to talk about it! That's REAL!! 💪🏽👊🏿

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

Respect to hobo junction a very underrated crew impo !!! & Saafir is one of my favourite mcs !!!!

[@grawakendream8980]

how is saafir doing?

[@kayleighllyn8253]

Much much respect and a big thanks for all those bangers!! I still love your music and got hobo junction still on a weekly spin😊❤

[@sharronenglish9404]

My husband recorded that battle. I never knew it was video taped. Classic

[@erikmurray3661]

That nigga said" the fresh Prince of Bel air with a slang dictionary" lol Dope . Saafir is definitely Dope yo. Casual and Heiro were Ripping shit tho foreal.

[@DJWisdomBeats]

Being on the East Coast in Baltimore this battle was of the mystical variety. Casual. Saafir. Hiero. Hobo Junction. Legendary battle during a very dope era in Hip Hop.

[@KingChaperail]

@@DJWisdomBeats You are not lying. We all read about this all the way in Birmingham, Alabama. Mystical and legendary.

[@alanpage4075]

Opio was chaaaarged. And that was definitely off the top

[@chikepanther5237]

Opio took it personal XD You can tell that traumatized Saafir. It seemed painful for him to remember it. LOL But Opio is in Souls of Mischief, so that's what it takes to take on Saafir.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

Saafir definitely gave Opio his props and beside Casual was one of the standouts in that battle from the Hiero side.

[@OldSchoolJules]

That verse Saafir spit on Fear Itself was siiiiiick.

[@artemisfoul5170]

I remember reading about this battle in The Source and being super jealous that I didn't have access to KMEL in The Midwest. I still committed the rhymes to memory and seeing and hearing it just reaffirms my love for Hip-Hop! These Brothers made HISTORY that day!

[@saturncrush]

Same here. From Deep in the South of Alabama, to the suburbs of Champagne, IL. Every black kid heard about the battle..spoken like soft whispers of legend.

[@jayshah9967]

My Recollection of this Battle Is From the Source Mag as well...Ahhh, The Days when you had to read and use your imgination... 😎

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

I read about the battle in magazines but didn't get to hear any of it until Sway &Tech started putting out "Best Of" tapes with the freestyles and all...I hurried up and bought it to hear snips of the battle. I'm very thankful for the KZbin era so someone who recorded the entire Battle could post it for all of us to witness and enjoy. Big ups to Hieros & Hobos especially Casual & Saafir for making legendary history.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

Here in Mississippi, I remember seeing Saafir The Saucee Nomad in Source Unsigned Hype. Then I bought Souls Of Mischief 93 Til Infinity album and heard them shout out Saafir and The Hobo Junction. Fast forward to getting Casual's Fear Itself and FINALLY hearing this cat and being highly impressed. Fall 94 I bought Saafir's Boxcar Sessions and loving the album.... THEN I read in The Source about that battle and hated I couldn't check it out. Luckily, Sway & Tech featured some of the battle on one of their Best Of tapes and I finally had some of the battle.

[@obatron1]

To be 14 again...shit was magic.

[@xTHADRZAx]

RIP Saafir 🙏🏼🕊️

[@stet8826]

This shit was fire... Both Casual and Saafir dope Mc's . 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👊❤🇬🇧

[@kevinscott59]

Fa sho

[@MckRo_5000]

Man that's crazy!!!!!! Numbers mean something, that battle happened 30 yrs to the date and this man, Saafir aint here no more... wow!

[@NextLevelNugz]

I saw casual do fear itself live in Santa Cruz back in the early 90z and it was one of best live performances I’ve ever seen. This kid wore a white tee, jeans and air max and assassinated the microphone. Slayed. Krush it, hella hard. It’s still in my mind amongst the chronic smoke. Peace to John Owens.

[@rhettstraube2559]

Wicked

[@saturncrush]

😮

[@croutonjohnson655]

This took me back. Actually had that battle on cassette tape back when it went down. Fresh Coast ALL DAY

[@visualgoodies]

look for the 91 SAAFIR interviews lol he had problems with the BAY lol

[@zackmcclintock8480]

I had it on a DJ Tim tape I coped from Behind the Post Office on Haight St...(that's some real OG Sucka Free shit...:)

[@MikeMongo]

Having that KMEL battle tape after that Friday night was EVERYTHING. Mind blowing!!

[@rasceylon]

Yup I had recorded from radio to tape back then too

[@HIPHOPHEAD1031]

Pretty sure that tape is actually really rare now, I hope you still got it

[@zackmcclintock8480]

I'm so happy Saafir is in a good place.. I'm glad they are friends and that makes me even more proud to be from the Bay... I bought Hobo's Mix tape off Saafir for 5 bucks at Reggae in the Park...he was just walking around selling it ..so humble and on his grind...I still got it..

[@SurgeCess]

Agreed, Saafir came off very humble here, he has a really good head on his shoulders.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

So now...Casual & Saafir can FINALLY do that record after all these years...I'LL DO THE DAMN TRACK 4 FREE!!!!

[@tavaressimon8624]

It was suppose to be Hype Shit...song dope without Casual...

[@DermDZL1]

They actually have done a joint or two after all those years

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

@@DermDZL1 are they available anywhere or online?

[@DermDZL1]

@@fredicagoillanoise1309 yeah, they did a track called Mistakes off of the Ron Jon Bovi track

[@KeenaTurnerAndHooch]

"Casual's a monster..."

[@SHAKA-NEU-LU]

Man I was there for all of it. I had all of the saucey nomads albums and hiero albums from the early late 80’-early 90’s starting with the D-E-L. Light Sleeper was and is my favorite. And course 93 till infinity. Met A plus and Tajai when they performed here in Vegas. #THE GOOD OLE DAYS

[@jamieway6465]

AMAZING. Bay History. Loved Hiero and Cas. But Saafir held it down. "You're one story- I'm a skyscraper " Classic!

[@dogsandyoga1743]

Yo. When I tell you we were all by our radios, ready to press record... Man, this was the biggest event, up until that time.... I was in 11th grade....

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

So damn sad to hear the news. RIP Saafir. Thank you Shomari for making this film.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

These Smack URL/KOTD cats need to watch and learn!!!

[@Meta4ce]

That battling subculture existed before this one, Smack is a continuation of something VERY OLD in that area. What would they need to learn? You do know KOTD Fresh Coast = an extension of this? Heiro people have been at events.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

@@Meta4ce I know battling been around for years since Hip Hop began. Plus these guys actually freestyle most of the time and don't know who they're going to battle at times. The battle rappers have time to write rounds and battle opponents and not really good off the head.

[@DJAUDIO1]

Rest In Paradise, Saafir

[@demomgozer]

Man I would like to see the complete video of this battle. Who agree?

[@24.7SMOKESHOW]

I was at that kennel club battle, saafir won by picking Casuals pocket; lifted his wallet from his back pocket when they were standing face to face. Casual dropped a icy verse and then safiir handed him his wallet. Casuals expression was priceless

[@caliizactive982]

Did this really happen? Thats a Priceless move facts😮

[@24.7SMOKESHOW]

@@caliizactive982 💯

[@MrDef3y3]

One of the dopest moments in hiphop history period!

[@FameBoi1000]

I'm elated to finally see this battle after hearing about it for so long, I was literally 1 years old when it occured

[@scormega]

Damn this shit was so dope to see. Big up Saafir & Casual for coming together to finally tell this story. Two of the best artists ever out of the bay. Facts. Edit 2024: Just saw Saafir passed away. Hip-Hop really lost an amazing artist today. RIP King

[@HanifMulazimMsg]

Nah I gassed Safir and I’m not a rapper 😂

[@scormega]

@@HanifMulazimMsg he shmoked Heiro in this battle - when they were some of the top lyricists in the world. And Boxcar Sessions is easily one of the best albums dropped in the 90’s.

[@craig205]

@@scormega idk about smoked...but he held through and was able to carry his team. some of them had some wack shit.

[@realwb503]

I listened to this live on the simulcast from Los Angeles in 1994 and taped it as well. Saafir's flow was just next level but I would have liked to seen a straight up off the top of the head battle too..

[@JingyJingJing]

Been hoping to see this footage since forever!!!!!

[@OVERSEEROFRAP]

I remember this battle I think this was 94 classic battle souls lost bad

[@mrroberttrujillo]

Respect to Cas and Saafir-Some of thee illlllest on the MIC from the Bay influencing the world.

[@therealmicmountain]

This is like watching ya favorite titans go at it

[@lemons021]

Man, I was in NY and got a tape of this battle from the homie in Houston. Casual and Saafir were two of my favorites, so it also hurt a bit. Seeing this reminded me of the moments in the battle. Thankful that folks were in the studio taking photos and videos. Priceless.

[@PoachStevens]

I remember we were across the street from nickle park in Richmond, piled up 7 dudes in a civic glued to that radio. I never felt nothing like it since, not a ball game, not a fight, nothing.

[@rudyworks]

Such a historic battle, all my friends were glued to the radio when this was going on. Saafir came with it. Another place that had unspoken legendary battles in the 90's was the Goodlife Cafe in South Central LA, that spot was fire with lyrics, beats & style too.

[@FedUpSista]

Yes!

[@hassanhamilton1363]

Leimert Park stand up!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

legendary

[@melaninfuture]

I used to get hair supplies from a beauty salon a few doors down, but on Thurs nights, the good life was poppin’.

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

Project blowed shut it down in the good life cafe !!!

[@kidcalledcomputer]

"You pencil neck pissed colored Gumby, you can't fuck wit me." Saafir was BRUTAL in that battle. One of the greatest moments in hip hop.

[@kidcalledcomputer]

When Casual said "Pokes a joke" he was EATING, but he brought the demon out of that man.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

BRUH!!! I bought the Sway & Tech tape that had the excerpts from the battle on it and I was listening to it with my younger brother sipping on some beers. I remember spitting beer all over the floor laughing as I had just turned my can up when Saafir hit that haymaker. My brother fell over cracking up too !! We rewound that part about 10 times. LOL!! We loved "Fear Itself" AND "Boxcar Sessions"

[@kidcalledcomputer]

@@fredicagoillanoise1309 LMAO! Same. We’ve been talking about this battle forever! I listened to Saafir’s track in Casuals shit and was hooked. Boxcar came out and it was OVER. Battle Drill, Light Sleeper, and all the Hobo features that were like when he was on Casuals shit?!! Man. Fear Itself was a tape I wore the words off of, but Saafir was like an alien. The weirdest and most interesting style I’d heard at that time. How you look a man in the eyes and call him a “pencil neck loss colored Gumby?” LMFAO!! A fucking legend.

[@kidcalledcomputer]

@@fredicagoillanoise1309 “You don’t spend 300 on a 380!” “The fresh prince of bel air wit a slang dictionary.” BRUHHHHHHH

[@BoogieBoyMetalMouth]

“6 feet deep in a tape deck!” 🔥🔥🔥

[@NamuWilliams]

Rest in power, Saafir.

[@goochozwald8636]

I remember taping this live from the radio.

[@Viedhoe]

Waiting on that one about Square Root

[@bertrellakajadox]

I still have it recorded from the radio. Glad to have experienced it first-hand.

[@chrisbigknowledgegarland6366]

This is TownBusiness!

[@baconlikeweight1214]

We tapped this shit in high school and passed it around like a ripper. This shit went crazy back then!

[@jerksrreal]

Chicago has been put on notice..team Cas though...need a link to your book too bro, I’m definitely coping it.

[@Errordemn6]

I love this. The only squad that's on Heiro level, and some people say higher than, is Freestyle Fellowship

[@Kwaku211]

Rest on good doc on showing the BTS on the whole situation always heard and read about it back in the day, now finally got a chance to hear it 👍

[@chris424cm]

I first heard the battle in 96 when my friend dubbed me a tape of it. I wore that tape out and knew every single word. Thanks for posting this. It's real cool to see the videos of what I had only heard before.

[@korymacdowell7615]

My era! Bay Area stand up! This was and still is the ish!

[@bujongols]

Saafir is one of the most underrated emcees ever! NOBODY has his flow.

[@realwb503]

Opio's verse was 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rbiznezz2]

This was dope. RIP to the great Saafir, supreme big up to Casual & Hiero as well as Hobo Junction.

[@Kevin-zq2qy]

Man, this was real head biz. Fear Itself and Boxcar Sessions are real classics. Head music. Actual freestyling, what a concept, lol

[@jennesteed]

Yo! I remember listening to this as it was happening live! Chills!!! I pressed record on the tape deck. Lol.

[@mrchaddydaddy1]

This shit was the biggest moment in hip hop for me. I used to have the VHS tape dub. I still do in a box at moms house. Funny watching it. I haven't seen this in 25 years.

[@rhyme70Four]

It definitely wasn't even. Hiero killed it. Saafir absolutely held his own but the rest of Hobo let him down. Hieroglyphics all day.

[@grawakendream8980]

saafir won imo but hiero showed out

[@chikepanther5237]

@@grawakendream8980 Saafir the only one that can hang with Hiero but I wouldnt say he won. He didnt lose neither though. Hiero is no joke, people dont realize the magnitude of talent that crew has. Not one member is weak. Not one.

[@sdaoud31]

Saafir won

[@zackmcclintock8480]

Peace to Kevy Kev... I met him once on Market St..And I just told him "thank you for what you have done for the bay and Hip Hop...". And was genuinely so appreciateve for being recognized... a real genuine hip hop legend.. I have met Hiero many a time too and they are all good people...don't play ya high post.. Just good people.. Opio's Step Dad Michael Ashburne is a huge part of the culture too..

[@bishopchronicles]

Yo, this was soooo dope. A great time for the bay. CRAZY skills. We were ALWAYS leaders in our own special kinda way.

[@BoogieBoyMetalMouth]

Hell yeah man. I’m from out here in Boston and the Bay had some of the illest emcees with the illest styles and presence. I try to tell my people that all the time. One of my favorite areas and scenes for hip hop. No question.

[@jbilla]

Omg. I remember hearing about this back in the day during the era of Battle raps and mix tapes! (Yeah, Cassettes) Also laughing at Sway with a high top fade.😂

[@79optik]

A well put together doc. Salute to two Bay area legends

[@ricardop.6118]

Crazy to think Saafir was 24 and the rest of hiero was 18-21 at the time lmao

[@bishopgreene7529]

I'll never forget my college radio days when I came across this rap battle . I had to dub it!!! Saafir did the damn thing and Casual was 2nd to none! Love this short story!

[@UrbanGuitarLegend]

YES! DOPE! memories, the golden era. First concert I ever attended was in 1985 at the Richmond County Civic Center with UTFO, Roxanne Roxanne, Whoodini. Then the 90's ushered in Hiero, Hobo and many others.

[@touch182]

I've been waiting for this footage my whole life!!!

[@Seven9ine]

Historic moment that imo, catapulted Casual and Hiero to the top of the pantheon as some of the most prolific emcees to ever touch the mic

[@MrBjnelson]

I remember when I first heard this battle. Incredible.

[@BoogieBoyMetalMouth]

Best thing I’ve seen in a long time! Love that I got to see the footage. I could only imagine it in my head as a kid. Had this battle on cassette tape and rocked it in my box until it broke. One of the best moments in music history for me. Can’t call the winner either. Obviously Cas is straight off the dome and kicks ass. But saafir says some ill sheeeeit!! Just a good time!! Good to see them being cool with each other nowadays. Peace to Heiro, the Hobos, the Wake Up Show, the Bay and the fresh coast from Boston!

[@zanemontego8090]

I Dope Piece Of Hip Hop History. And To Think I Was Only 4 When All This Was Going Down.

[@Blackufi]

"The Bishop" Adisa said is best, "Saafir, as an individual, was as good as Hiero." 16:58

[@MrMegaManFan]

I'm so lucky to have been alive when this happened and to have had a friend who made me a copy of the battle on KMEL. I about wore that tape out. RIP Saafir.

[@pugsatomz]

This was such a big moment, I was glued to the radio to see who was gonna win...Dope Doc!

[@matchingfingerprints]

Release the full footage of the battle... PLEASE!!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@rodrice1]

This battle is legendary! Casual and Saafir are 2 Bay Area kings. I was consistently looking for new and old music from them in the 90's. Before the internet, in the Midwest, it was like finding Gold in my circle (Skateboarders), if we got any mixtapes from the Hieroglyphics. Off topic, Where can I find the track Casual freestyled over Dione Warwick's - Need me one day/J Dilla's Stop (Donuts) - Can't find it anywhere

[@beatmages]

i listened to dat battle live, i lived in oakland at the time.it was epic,let me rephrase that i heard it when it got aired idk if it was live when i heard it,i certainly thought it was.

[@iczac492]

Rip man, legendary shit

[@ronhuda6700]

saafir took all of em dudes on DOLO

[@angeleye8953]

He did

[@TheJJWA]

I remember listening to the battle but never knew the full backstory. Good that age gave them perspective to just look back and tell the story.

[@GlobalNotes]

Very Dope joint!

[@DAY-0HH]

This only got 11k views that’s pretty disappointing!

[@ketovore2997]

DJ WICKED WICKED WEDNESDAY LIVE SHOW on FB brought me here...this is a dope little documentary from HipHop's glory days when emcees where emcees!!

[@MalcolmHooverdeepculture]

Seen so many of my brothers in this video, Kev, Eric Arnold, Mic T, Lolo Mac, Adisa. The Bay was Medina to NYCs Mecca back then.

[@pureblack3363]

Yeah it is a bunch of Arabs in the bay

[@malcolmhoover]

@@pureblack3363 that’s not what I meant. NYC being Mecca, like Mecca is the most sacred city in Hip Hop but Medina is the also a sacred place. Mecca and Medina both sacred, NY and the Bay Area both sacred to Hip Hop. But yeah there’s hella Akhis in the Bay, mostly from the same part of Yemen.

[@pureblack3363]

@@malcolmhoover Oh snap I didn't peep yo username is shabazz

[@factthatdude4059]

Love both these dudes!

[@nubiandna4155]

Me Too

[@TheMendezWay]

i remember i was in 11th grade, friday night, and my older brother rushed home and barged into my room and was like "put in a tape, saafir and casual about to battle on KMEL!"... still have that cassette to this day

[@RoninAli1]

I remember reading about this right after it happened. I was in Pennsylvania & read that 4080 Mag. issue with Saafir & for some reason felt some tension. Next thing I read in Rap Pages is that they had two battles. I was like WHOAH! I’m glad they are now men who can talk about about this from a better angle; veterans who are older & wiser. SALUTE THOSE BROTHERS!

[@adg_87]

Wow....u went there with 4080 and Rap Pages . Props fam.

[@RoninAli1]

@@adg_87 👊🏾

[@lemontadams3029]

Roots Magazine

[@juanrankin436]

Ahhh man I hate to admit that this is my first time actually hearing this battle! Saafir went in!!!!!!! But Hiero as a group was just too much for the whole HoboJunction.

[@problactive285]

Now Hobo and Hiero have formed a Super Group called "MANIC MONDAYS"

[@chazfilez]

Thank you for doing this. I remember listening to it live as a youf!

[@EsotericOccultist]

So crazy seeing the actual footage after all these years

[@P-Atonement]

Saafir was slated for the role of Jimi Hendrix in a Movie about the legendary Musician. He could have been really big. Goes to show life can change in a second.

[@gold7633]

Much Respect to Both Emceez, they are Both ReaL1z the West Knowz💯 more than anyone! - Without Saying Much, SaaFir👑 won this Battle between two TRUE SCHOOL GIANTS💯 - I Listened to it Live on 92.3FM in Los Angeles💯 #WhenHIPHOPWasNotOnLifeSupport💯

[@rhettstraube2559]

Wow. This made my day.

[@violetfactorial6806]

Great work on the video, it's really good storytelling. A fascinating glimpse into the culture.

[@timurmusabay4822]

WHERE is the video of the whole battle? you gotta up that

[@TuesdaysTurn]

for real

[@floydhunter3]

Respect from the EAST......this was EPIC!!!!!!

[@jdportwerks6795]

Love to Heiro and Cas!!!! But Saafir Wrecked all of them!!! #bayhiphopscene #90sera #realhiphop

[@BoChosen]

Wow... As an East Coast cat, I never knew this conflict existed. Glad they kept it kosher and still respect one another to this day. Both brought major impact on the Culture. Salute to them and the entire Bay. Respect!

[@seanprahphet]

I was there, watched and heard this go down as one of the best battles in HISTORY, true on that heiro, they have the greatest of MCeez...norcal reigns with all these cats