Shootout is the podcast where hip-hop’s mightiest MCs and producers step up to the penalty spot in a best-of-five battle to decide who’s the greatest.  

In this episode, there ain’t no half steppin’ as two titans of the hip-hop game engage in Mortal Combat – RAKIM and BIG DADDY KANE. These legendary lyricists revolutionised the art of MCing with their intricate wordplay, complex constructions and memorable metaphors – inspiring a whole generation of rappers who came after them. 

We’ve selected five tracks from each rapper’s incredible back catalogue. We draw those tracks at random to face each other; after discussing the songs we use the three-man vote to decide who scores and who misses. Best of five wins! 

It’s been a long time since we set it off with a Shootout of this magnitude – it ain’t no joke and [insert song title pun here]. 

TRACKS: 

Rakim  

1. Eric B & Rakim – I Ain’t No Joke 
2. Eric B & Rakim – Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em 
3. Eric B & Rakim – Don’t Sweat The Technique 
4. It’s Been A Long Time 
5. When I B On The Mic

Big Daddy Kane 

1. Ain’t No Half Steppin’ 
2. Set It Off 
3. Mortal Combat 
4. How U Get A Record Deal? 
5. Prince Paul – Macula’s Theory 

SHOOTOUT SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (Rakim vs Big Daddy Kane):

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/58KQMKS71FCeG9xT9VOxdB?si=b1fc303e4c8a4379 

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  

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Beats and stings by Danny Phillips: https://soundcloud.com/dannyphillips1978