Eminem, Jay–Z, Biggie Smalls, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Fat Joe, Big Pun, DMX and the Fugees weren't born famous. Like every artist, they struggled to get themselves heard, then there was a pivotal moment that changed their fortunes forever.

For these artists, which represent a total of 300 million record sales, a college radio program called The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show was their big break.

The show was created by two friends, DJ Adrian Bartos (Stretch Armstrong) and Bobby Garcia (Bobbito) in a low-budget studio at Columbia University (WKCR). By dint of the very limited exposure rap received from the mainstream media and the duo's vast hip hop knowledge, the show became a hit in New York. In fact, Busta Rhymes made a tidy business selling tape recordings of the show before he got signed.

After establishing itself on the airwaves, the show hosted in-studio freestyles and demo battles from artists looking to make a name for themselves, which are now a roll call of hip hop's most influential artists.

As such, Studiocanal has created a documentary called Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives. It charts the show's inception, influence and demise and which includes incredible footage including a long-lost verse from a 16-year-old Notorious B.I.G. in a battle with Bronx Zu and interviews with Jay-Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, Common, Eminem and many more.

To give you a taste, here's a written verse from a very fresh-faced Marshall Bruce Mathers, aka Eminem.