Hip Hop World Cup

Danny Phillips

Hip Hop World Cup is the podcast that pits golden-age hip-hop tracks and albums against each other in a contest to find the ultimate champions! In each episode, classic joints from hip-hop’s golden age battle each other in head-to-head matches, where we debate them and vote for our favourite. Join life-long hip-hop fans Danny, Steve and James as they deep-dive into the most beloved rap music of the 1990s, celebrating the greatest beats, producers, rhymes and rappers.

  1. 9h ago ·  Bonus

    EXTRA TIME #4: RZA

    Ninety minutes of robust discussion about Wu-Tang mastermind RZA in our latest SHOOTOUT episode left us feeling physically drained, with multiple injuries all strangely centred around the groin area. But thanks to a rigorous rub-down from a bloke who claimed to be a masseur and a generous slug of Lucozade Sport, we were ready to go again for an extra 30 minutes of RZA-themed fun and games. In this EXTRA TIME bonus episode, we sign Wu-Tang members to our squads in Steve’s What’s The Scenario; play Winner Stays On to choose the best Wu-Tang verses and affiliate names; and round things off with a quiz so tricky it makes Only Connect look like Tipping Point. Hit play and find out why Hip Hop World Cup ain’t nothing ta F’ with… WEBSITE: https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com EMAIL: ⁠hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠ 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup  Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    EXTRA TIME #4: RZA
  2. Sep 22

    SHOOTOUT 12: RZA

    In this SOLO SHOOTOUT we salute one of hip-hop’s most influential figures – RZA. As the mastermind behind the Wu-Tang Clan, he created one of the most distinctive sounds in hip-hop history, building dark, gritty beats from dusty soul samples and kung fu movies. His crazy run of classics, from Wu-Tang’s 36 Chambers in 1993 to Wu-Tang Forever in 1997, hit hip-hop like an East Coast earthquake – an unprecedented streak of quality and consistency that shook up the sound and changed the game forever. But his influence goes far beyond production. As a rapper, writer, actor and visionary, he helped turn Wu-Tang into a cultural phenomenon whose influence reached far beyond hip-hop. To honour our esteemed artist, we pulled out all the stops and convinced (OK, blackmailed) ITV to let us record this episode in their swanky World Cup studio overlooking New York, the city where RZA made his name. If you’re new to the pod, SHOOTOUT works like this: we select 10 RZA productions that face each other in a series of one-on-one duels. We rate them, debate them and pick a winner using the three-man vote. We then tot up our TruSkore ratings for the five winners on Steve’s trusty abacus to find the overall champion. Along the way, we also explore the mysterious Glaciers of Ice sample that eluded spotters for years, examine RZA’s idiosyncratic rapping style and try to unpack what makes his productions so unique – with intermittent yet insightful analysis from our usual panel of football pundits. Ten productions. Five duels of the iron mic. One champion. So bring da ruckus and hit play! TRACKS Wu-Tang Clan – Uzi (Pinky Ring)Method Man feat Mary J Blige – I’ll Be There For You / You’re All I Need To Get By (Razor Sharp Mix)Raekwon – Glaciers Of IceRaekwon – KnuckleheadzRaekwon – Incarcerated ScarfacesWu-Tang Clan – 7th Chamber Part IIWu-Tang Clan – TriumphGZA – 4th ChamberMethod Man – Bring The PainGravediggaz – Diary Of A MadmanSHOOTOUT SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (RZA): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tZeHhzekLidEUCgQsuTVu?si=oNUdPuHQQ6aNiR7dPSUmnA WEBSITE: https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com EMAIL: ⁠hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    SHOOTOUT 12: RZA
  3. Sep 15 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #8: Eric B & Rakim ‘Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em’ vs LL Cool J ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ (1990)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! This episode is a heavyweight bout between two landmark albums from 1990 – Eric B & Rakim's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out. One reaffirmed Rakim's reputation as hip-hop's greatest lyricist. The other marked LL's spectacular comeback, reminding everyone exactly why he was a superstar (although we're still not allowed to call it a comeback). These albums showcased two of the finest MCs of their generation and helped redefine what it meant to be an elite rapper. One raised the bar for lyrical complexity, the other proved that swagger, charisma and commercial success didn't have to come at the expense of skills. And let's not forget Eric B's pivotal role in all this. His ability to make a cup of tea that met Rakim's EXACTING standards during the recording sessions was second to none. Only joking – Rakim drank coffee. So now, after all these years, we finally decide once and for all which of these two albums takes the belt and which is left on the canvas with blood dribbling from its mouth. You're welcome. Sit back, relax and enjoy this classic clash! WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com⁠⁠ EMAIL: hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier⁠ on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978⁠

    REPLAY #8: Eric B & Rakim ‘Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em’ vs LL Cool J ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ (1990)
  4. Sep 8 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #7: Mobb Deep ‘The Infamous’ vs Big L ‘Lifestyles Ov Da Poor And Dangerous’ (1995)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! This episode features a heavyweight clash between two of 1995’s biggest and best rap albums. Mobb Deep’s The Infamous is an absolute behemoth, regarded by many as one of the best hip-hop albums ever made – a sentiment we share here at HHWC HQ. Its bleak, brutal beats and Havoc and Prodigy’s chilling street tales make for a compelling listen, garnished by memorable appearances from Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Q-Tip. Their opponent is Harlem’s Big L, a gifted rapper gunned down in his prime four years after blessing the world with his killer debut LP Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous. With D.I.T.C.’s all-star producers delivering some of their best work on the boards and L spitting timeless punchlines and metaphors with panache, this is New York boom-bap at its finest. The question is, which one emerged victorious in this episode? Press play to find out! WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com⁠⁠ EMAIL: ⁠hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com⁠ JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier⁠ on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    REPLAY #7: Mobb Deep ‘The Infamous’ vs Big L ‘Lifestyles Ov Da Poor And Dangerous’ (1995)
  5. Sep 1 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #6: Snoop Doggy Dogg ‘Doggystyle’ vs A Tribe Called Quest ‘Midnight Marauders’ (1993)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! Well shizzle my nizzle – Replay makes its first visit to 1993 as we look back at the best battles from the first series of Hip Hop World Cup. This hike through hip-hop history sees Snoop Doggy Dogg’s hugely anticipated debut album Doggystyle bump up against A Tribe Called Quest’s boom-bap behemoth Midnight Marauders – an album that many consider to be one of hip-hop’s true masterpieces, blessed with bangers like Electric Relaxation and Award Tour. But with a peak Dr Dre on the boards for Snoop’s extraordinary G-Funk odyssey, this one definitely wasn’t a walkover for Tip and the lads. Hits like Gin & Juice, What’s My Name and Doggy Dogg World made this a stone-cold classic that demanded constant rotation. In fact this was one of the most bruising debates the world of hip-hop podcasting has ever witnessed, so why not kick back, pop some Tanqueray into your cup, fire up a blunt and hit play. Thanks for supporting Hip Hop World Cup – it means the world. WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com⁠⁠ EMAIL: hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier⁠ on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978⁠

    REPLAY #6: Snoop Doggy Dogg ‘Doggystyle’ vs A Tribe Called Quest ‘Midnight Marauders’ (1993)
  6. Aug 25 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #5: Ice Cube 'The Predator' vs Das EFX 'Dead Serious' (1992)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! Chiggidy check it! We delve into the Hip Hop World Cup archives once again for this biggidy-beast of a battle between Ice Cube and Das EFX from our 1992 episode. DJ Muggs' fingerprints are all over Ice Cube's third album The Predator, including the single Check Yo Self, which features – you've guessed it – Das EFX, who square up to Cube with their debut album Dead Serious. What ensues here is a robust discussion between Danny, Steve and James about the merits of each album, touching on Dray and Skoob's trendsetting, tongue-twisting style and where The Predator stands in the Ice Cube pantheon. Thanks for supporting Hip Hop World Cup – keep your eye out for more Replay episodes in the coming weeks. WEBSITE: ⁠https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com⁠ EMAIL: hiphopworldcuppod@gmail.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier⁠ on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    REPLAY #5: Ice Cube 'The Predator' vs Das EFX 'Dead Serious' (1992)
  7. Aug 18 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #4: Common Sense ‘Resurrection’ vs Method Man ‘Tical’ (1994)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! In 1994, the USA hosted the FIFA World Cup, the most memorable part of which was during the opening ceremony when Diana Ross shanked a penalty wide that inexplicably still made the goal split in half. Even more memorably, 1994 saw a huge number of incredible hip-hop albums hit the streets, with the likes of Nas, Biggie, Jeru, O.C. and Gang Starr dropping jewels that would change the landscape of hip-hop forever. In this Replay episode, we’re revisiting a match between two more classics from this seminal year – Resurrection by Common (Sense) and Tical by Method Man. When these two albums faced each other in our 1994 episode, the crowd erupted and so did our hosts (not literally) – Resurrection is one of Danny and James’ all-time favourites, while Steve is a serious Wu-Tang stan who holds Tical in very high regard. What happened next? Who won? Were anyone’s opinions as wide of the mark as Diana’s shite penalty? Listen to this Replay episode and find out. WEBSITE: https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    REPLAY #4: Common Sense ‘Resurrection’ vs Method Man ‘Tical’ (1994)
  8. Aug 11 ·  Bonus

    REPLAY #3: A Tribe Called Quest ‘The Low End Theory’ vs NWA ‘Efil4zaggin’ (1991)

    Welcome to Hip Hop World Cup REPLAY – your chance to revisit classic matches between golden-age rap albums from the Hip Hop World Cup vault! In this episode we take a trip back to 1991 (an incredible yet strangely overlooked year in hip-hop history) for a battle between two of the greatest hip-hop groups ever: A Tribe Called Quest and NWA. When these sophomore albums faced each other in our 1991 tournament, it was an agonising decision for our hosts. Tribe’s The Low End Theory is regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time, marrying jazz-infused beats with next-level lyricism from Q-Tip and Phife. Meanwhile, NWA’s Efil4zaggin marked an evolutionary leap forward in hip-hop production courtesy of Dr Dre and Yella, its rich, musical, multi-layered beats providing the perfect backdrop for Dre, Ren and Eazy-E’s lurid gangsta tales. Though not as revered as its predecessor Straight Outta Compton, this is a provocative, exhilarating listen that laid the blueprint for Dre’s solo debut The Chronic, released a year later. Listen up to find out which album wins! And if you want more, all the full episodes from our first series are available on your podcast player of choice. WEBSITE: https://hiphopworldcup.podview.com JOIN OUR PATREON! Sign up to our Champions Tier on Patreon and access exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/HipHopWorldCup⁠⁠ 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, Spotify 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, X, Threads and Bluesky: @hiphopworldcup Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978

    REPLAY #3: A Tribe Called Quest ‘The Low End Theory’ vs NWA ‘Efil4zaggin’ (1991)

About

Hip Hop World Cup is the podcast that pits golden-age hip-hop tracks and albums against each other in a contest to find the ultimate champions! In each episode, classic joints from hip-hop’s golden age battle each other in head-to-head matches, where we debate them and vote for our favourite. Join life-long hip-hop fans Danny, Steve and James as they deep-dive into the most beloved rap music of the 1990s, celebrating the greatest beats, producers, rhymes and rappers.