By Danny Phillips
The podcast currently has 23 episodes available.
In this episode, Danny, Steve and James reminisce over ’92 as classic hip-hop tracks from that year battle it out for a place on our DREAM TEAM.
1992 was the year that saw Dr Dre go solo on that ass and introduce the world to a certain Snoop Doggy Dogg, while Redman, The Pharcyde, Das EFX, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Diamond D dropped debut albums to die for.
We also banged heads with EPMD, jumped around with House of Pain and spent a lovely day with Ice Cube playing craps, getting lucky with the ladies and not getting shot.
So how does DREAM TEAM work? Simple. We draw 22 songs against each other in a series of one-on-one matches, then discuss them and use the three-man vote to decide the winner.
The 11 winning tracks earn a place on our Spotify playlist, which you can enjoy using the link below. We also decide on the team's name, manager and star player.
The 1992 Squad:
DREAM TEAM 1992 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2r3aUx7SpgqPPtmUW70E2T?si=9d8596d3606c4b89
ALL PREVIOUS EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Spotify, Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Follow and holler at us on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
1993 was a special time in hip-hop. On the East Coast, it was the year of shouty choruses, bald heads, big coats and Tims – and that’s just Run DMC – while Wu-Tang and Black Moon launched their legendary debut bangers.
On the West Coast, Snoop’s first album took the hip-hop world from behind, the feud between Dre and Eazy got personal, and Ice Cube stayed up all night watching police helicopters.
In this episode, Danny, Steve and Larry take a trip back to this pivotal year and assemble a star team of 11 classic tracks from a squad of 22.
The songs are drawn against each other in a series of one-on-one matches, which we discuss and use the three-man vote to decide the winner.
After sorting the beats from the chaff, the 11 winning tracks earn a place on our Spotify playlist, which you can access using the link below. We also decide on the team's name, manager and star player.
THE 1993 SQUAD:
DREAM TEAM 1993 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CeyJBzmRWAPKVshxD7ykm?si=06754a35dab640b6
ALL PREVIOUS EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Follow and holler at us on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
We’re back in effect with a brand-new format: DREAM TEAM!
The goal of this new series is to create an all-star
In each episode, we take 22 of our favourite hip-hop joints from the selected year and draw them against each other in a series of one-on-one matches.
We use the three-man vote to decide on the winner until we’re left with 11 triumphant tracks, which we’ll share as a playlist on Spotify. We also decide on the team’s name, manager and star player.
In this episode we preside over a 22-way tussle between our favourite tracks from 1996:
DREAM TEAM 1996 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ua73mXn3SxIcgDLzaCEW2?si=a34d5f35e77d4749
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify:
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on
Social media
Follow and holler at us on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and X (Twitter): @hiphopworldcup
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
In the final episode of this series, we’re giving The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 double album Life After Death a Play-Off post-mortem to decide which of its two discs is the best.
Life After Death is Biggie’s second and final album, released a mere 16 days after his murder, and continues right where his revered debut Ready To Die left off. The beats are smoother, the hooks are catchier and the suits are shinier, but does Big Poppa’s brand of street-smart lyricism still blow us away?
Recorded live at a special event to celebrate Biggie’s life and work – attended by an all-star line-up of hip-hop greats, as well as P. Diddy – this episode sees us diving deep into B.I.G.’s bloated blockbuster and work out if it’s a misfire or masterpiece.
Also, stay tuned until the end as we attempt something that’s never been done before in the history of British podcasting. Don’t miss this one!
About HIP HOP WORLD CUP: THE PLAY OFFS
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny, James and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the trio will use as a guide.
After the hosts vote for their favourite album, the winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YWZiOWIwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/daniel-phillips45
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Individual handles
Danny:
X: @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
James:
X: @wardner_
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
In this episode we take the time machine back to 1991 and check out two albums very close to Danny’s heart – 2nd II None’s self-titled debut effort and ‘Fruits of Nature’ by The UMCs.
Released a month apart and boasting many similarities, these albums sparked his love affair with hip-hop as a lad – but do co-hosts Steve and James share his passion?
2nd II None – produced entirely by West Coast legend DJ Quik – takes on The UMC’s self-produced debut record in this Play Off, in which we discuss and score every track and vote on the winner to decide who takes home the trophy.
And don’t forget, we’re still the only hip-hop podcast to be adjudicated by VAR technology, which means you can be sure our opinions are completely free from ‘clear and obvious errors’.
About HIP HOP WORLD CUP: THE PLAY OFFS
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny, James and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the trio will use as a guide.
After the hosts vote for their favourite album, the winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YWZiOWIwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/daniel-phillips45
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Individual handles
Danny:
X: @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
James:
X: @wardner_
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
In our first episode of 2024, we take a trip back to the early noughties for a battle of the backpack rap classics!
We put ‘Question in the Form of an Answer’ by People Under The Stairs (2000) up against J-Live’s debut album ‘The Best Part’ (2001) to decide which takes home the HHWC trophy.
Widely regarded as two of the new millennium’s best hip-hop LPs, they helped usher in a new age of beat-making and rhyme-saying, bringing a fresh forward-thinking approach to the familiar tropes and traditions of hip-hop’s golden age.
It’s a departure from our usual early-to-mid-90s milieu but these two albums are heavily influenced by (and some even recorded during) hip-hop’s golden age so we figured they were perfect candidates for the Hip Hop World Cup arena.
But here’s The Best Part – we are now officially the only hip-hop podcast to be monitored by VAR technology, which should ensure that none of our opinions are ‘clear and obvious errors’ (in theory anyway).
So sit back and strap in – this is one that PUTS and J-Live fans won’t want to miss.
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny, James and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the trio will use as a guide.
After the hosts vote for their favourite album, the winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YWZiOWIwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/daniel-phillips45
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Individual handles
Danny:
X: @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
James:
X: @wardner_
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
In this epic episode (epicsode?), it’s all earz on 2Pac’s 1996 diamond-selling double
Fresh outta jail and bursting with ‘thug passion’, 2Pac banged out this 27-track opus in
The hype was huge and when it was released in Feb ‘96 the double album made a massive splash in the hip-hop world, with many considering it to be the late lyricsmith’s finest album – the last to be released in his lifetime.
But is it all it’s cracked up to be? And which of the two albums is better? Well, in this episode we finally put those age-old questions to bed.
In an historic podcasting first (probably) we put Book 1 up against Book 2 in a Death Row death match to find out once and for all which one takes the crown. It’s the battle commentators are already calling ‘utterly specPACular’.
Danny, Steve and Larry rate and debate each track in detail – employing the globally trusted TruSkore™ technology to ensure 100% scientific accuracy – and vote for their winner.
The trio trade war stories, share some skandalouz hot takes and get their minds made up about this unique, remarkable and historic hip-hop record.
Joining the lads in their purpose-built bunker beneath FIFA headquarters in Zurich is the usual gang of greats of the football world, including a certain England winger who’s no stranger to having 'all eyez on him’. This is one you won’t want to miss!
About HIP HOP WORLD CUP: THE PLAY OFFS
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny, James and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the trio will use as a guide.
After the hosts vote for their favourite album, the winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YWZiOWIwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/daniel-phillips45
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Individual handles
Danny:
X: @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
James:
X: @wardner_
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
PUBLIC ENEMY 'APOCALPYSE '91: THE ENEMY STRIKES BLACK' (1991) vs 'TERMINATOR X AND THE VALLEY OF THE JEEP BEETS' (1991)
This is the big one! After an unsuccessful tenure at TruSkore HQ in Qatar, Larry has been lured out of retirement by the only album that could do it - Public Enemy's fourth and sorely under-discussed LP 'Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Black'!
In this episode, we thrown PE's album into the lion's den against PE DJ Terminator X's 1991 debut solo album 'Terminator X and the Valley of the Jeep Beets'.
Larry reunites with Danny and Steve - the UK's answer to the S1Ws - to dissect both albums track by track, then vote to decide which one is the overall winner.
Along the way the trio debate the merits of Flavor Flav and Sister Souljah, and ponder what the rest of the Casino Brothers were up to during the making of this album.
Throw in an interview with a genuine England football legend it'll take a nation of millions to hold this episode back!
You won't find any other podcast talking about these classic albums! So if you have a love for 1990's golden-age hip-hop, this is the podcast for you.
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny, James and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the trio will use as a guide.
After the hosts vote for their favourite album, the winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts:
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify:
Stitcher:
Anchor:
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and
Individual handles
Danny:
X: @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
James:
X: @wardner_
Beats and stings
Time to don the helmets and prepare for what we're calling the 'HIT SQUAD HEADBANGER'! That's right - Danny and Steve take a trip back to 1992 as EPMD's 'Business Never Personal' knocks heads with K-Solo's 'Time's Up' in a two-way tussle.
In this episode, we discuss the delicious irony of EPMD's 'Crossover', throw shade (business) on Parrish Smith's rap capabilities and question whether K-Solo really did have a 'Household Maid' - before totting up the scores and deciding whch album is the best.
Plus we're joined on the line by an England football legend who is no stranger to banging heads. You don't want to miss this one!
About HIP HOP WORLD CUP: THE PLAY OFFS
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
In each episode, die-hard hip-hop heads Danny and Steve rate and debate two albums from rap music’s golden era (’88-‘96) to decide which one is best.
Using the patented TruSkore™ system, tracks are assigned numerical values – ‘ratings’ if you will – which the duo will use to decide on the winner.
The winning LP claims the coveted Hip Hop World Cup tie and blazer badge combination pack and a trophy made of solid plastic.
This podcast is brought to you by TruSkore™, the world’s number one music evaluation system.
ALL PREVIOUS EPISODES AVAILABLE NOW ON YOUR PODCAST APP OF CHOICE:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YWZiOWIwMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup/id1589610632
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aBAonIjzVh1zr27q733yK
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/hip-hop-world-cup
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/daniel-phillips45
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Individual handles
Danny:
Twitter @dannyphillips2 / Instagram: @dannyphillips16
Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978
Episode 3: HELTAH SKELTAH 'NOCTURNAL' (1996) vs CELLA DWELLAS 'REALMS 'N' REALITY' (1996)
It's the podcast that pits golden-age rap albums against each other in a fight for sonic supremacy!
Google Podcasts:
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify:
Stitcher:
Anchor:
Please rate and review Hip-Hop World Cup on Apple or your podcast app of choice, which will help raise our visibility and give the podcast ‘mass appeal’.
Social media
Hit us up on social media to share your thoughts on the episode or talk 90s hip-hop in general:
Instagram and Twitter: @hiphopworldcup
Danny:
Beats and stings
Artwork by Brody Phillips:
The podcast currently has 23 episodes available.