#PPP96
I nominated a different song of his for #PPP96 but it went nowhere. Maybe if I’d done this Spanish-language tune instead!
September 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Once LeAnn Rimes's "Blue" went out early, "Pepper" was the best thing left in #PPP96 - tho the voters didn't even put it in the final forty. Good grinding guitar, compelling slow drumbeat (reminds me of Bonham nailing down "When The Levee Breaks").
September 10, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Tom, are we doing a Golden Beat for #PPP96?
August 29, 2026 at 3:44 PM
So what comes next after #PPP96?

In October we're doing #BPHM8689

The fifth of our Black Pop History polls - this time it's the golden age of rap; the explosion of house and techno; soul hits and pop bangers; global Black music from Addis Ababa to Australia
August 27, 2026 at 11:30 PM
CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNER of #PPP96

1. BLACKSTREET ft QUEEN PEN - "No Diggity"
686 Points
99 Voters 🏠🏠🏠🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 😇
High: 1st (Final)
Low: 1st (20 Votes)

Final: Beat The Cardigans 114-74

Unbelievable stats, led in every round, never in serious doubt, the best song of 1996!
August 27, 2026 at 6:41 PM
#PPP96 THE FINAL RESULTS!

First of all THANK YOU for voting, commenting, reliving 1996 - we have a new Bluesky Era record for voters (189!)

Hope you've enjoyed the poll - as with the Quarter Finals I'll reveal the results by the means of Canva Cards
August 27, 2026 at 6:20 PM
#PPP96

2. THE CARDIGANS - "Lovefool"
429 Points
71 Voters 🏠🏠🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿
High: 2nd (Final)
Low: 32nd (20 Votes)

Final: Beaten by Blackstreet 114-74

Had a very slow first day of Final 40 voting, only hitting Pollhalla at 60 votes, then went from strength to strength and the silver medal
August 27, 2026 at 6:37 PM
#PPP96

4. MARK MORRISON - "Return Of The Mack"
418 Points
72 Voters 🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿👿👿👿👿
High: 2nd (120 Votes)
Low: 4th (Play-Off)

3rd Place Play-Off: Beaten by The Prodigy 107-79

Spent most of the Final 40 in 2nd before slipping behind "Lovefool", and ends up in 4th
August 27, 2026 at 6:25 PM
#PPP96

3. THE PRODIGY - "Firestarter"
350 Points
58 Voters 🏠🏠🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿
High: 3rd (50 Votes)
Low: 7th (30 Votes)

Third Place Play-Off: Beat Mark Morrison 107-79

A Pollhalla lock from the start of voting with steady support, and a bronze medal place.
August 27, 2026 at 6:32 PM
#PPP96 RESULTS of the SEMI-FINALS and B-SIDE FINAL

BLACKSTREET beat The Prodigy 107-60

THE CARDIGANS beat Mark Morrison 91-77

Seeding is destiny and it's a #1 v #2 final but early votes had both these matches more or less level - Blackstreet broke away at about 60 votes, Cardigans at about 100
August 26, 2026 at 1:57 PM
#PPP96

B1. PUFFY AMIYUMI - "Asia No Junshin"
94 Points
19 Voters
Hater Rating: 😇
High: B-1st (130 Votes)
Low: B-8th (20 Votes)

B-Side Final: Beat Lady Saw 72-69

Like Lady Saw, rose slowly through the B-Side ranks but ends the poll as the first Japanese Pollhalla entrant since "Fantastic Cat"!
August 26, 2026 at 2:20 PM
#PPP96

B2. LADY SAW - "No Long Talking"
95 Points
19 Voters 🏠
Hater Rating: 👿
High: B-1st (Final)
Low: B-8th (60 Votes)

B-Side Final: Beaten by Puffy AmiYumi 69-72

Secured her place in the B-Sides Final in the final ballots and almost took the crown, maybe we should have had more dancehall!
August 26, 2026 at 2:11 PM
#PPP96 The Semi-Finals are OVER!

Check back tomorrow for results, the B-Side coronation, and a chance to vote in the FINAL!

But for now go and listen to some Dolly Parton :)
August 25, 2026 at 9:13 PM
#PPP96 SEMI-FINAL 2

Seed #2: THE CARDIGANS - "Lovefool"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6a...

v

Seed #3: MARK MORRISON - "Return Of The Mack"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D...

Vote! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Cardigans - Lovefool (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by TheCardigansVEVO
www.youtube.com
August 25, 2026 at 11:13 AM
#PPP96 SEMI-FINAL 1

Seed #1: BLACKSTREET - "No Diggity"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL9...

v

Seed #4: PRODIGY - "Firestarter"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin...

Vote! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Blackstreet - No Diggity (Official Music Video) ft. Dr. Dre, Queen Pen
YouTube video by BlackstreetVEVO
www.youtube.com
August 25, 2026 at 11:12 AM
#PPP96 B-SIDES FINAL

LADY SAW - "No Long Talking"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nche...

v

PUFFY AMIYUMI - "Asia No Junshin"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO4t...

Vote! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
August 25, 2026 at 11:19 AM
#PPP96 QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS!

To be delivered via the medium of an #8-#5 countdown including stats from the Final Forty too

We had 185 voters - a NEW RECORD for the Bluesky era polls!
August 24, 2026 at 8:14 PM
#PPP96

It's the SEMI-FINALS of

THE WORLD CUP OF 1996!

BLACKSTREET v PRODIGY
CARDIGANS v MARK MORRISON

AND!! The B-Side Final

LADY SAW v PUFFY AMIYUMI

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

You have 24 hours to vote!
#PPP96 The World Cup Of 1996 SEMI-FINALS! (And the B-SIDE FINAL)
Welcome to THE WORLD CUP OF 1996 Quarter-Finals There are now only FOUR songs left in the World Cup Of 1996! Vote in each semi-final! ALSO! There are two songs in the B-SIDE FINAL which deserve your...
docs.google.com
August 24, 2026 at 8:53 PM
#PPP96

8. STEREOLAB - "Cybele's Reverie"
295 Points (6x12)
47 Voters 🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿
High: 7th (110 Votes)
Low: 27th (30 Votes)

Quarter-Final: Beaten by Blackstreet 139-44

Made Pollhalla at the last second and received the predicted hiding but well done on getting there at last!
August 24, 2026 at 8:20 PM
#PPP96

6. MANIC STREET PREACHERS - "A Design For Life"
311 Points
49 Voters 🏠🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿👿👿👿👿👿
High: 5th (140 Votes)
Low: 20th (20 Votes)

Quarter-Final: Beaten by Mark Morrison 107-74

What's Welsh for "Marmite"? Defied the haters as a Top 8 fixture from early on but could not beat THE MACK
August 24, 2026 at 8:31 PM
#PPP96

7. BUSTA RHYMES - "Woo-Hah! Got You All In Check!"
305 Points
54 Voters 🏠🏠
Hater Rating: 👿
High: 4th (40 Votes)
Low: 20th (90 Votes)

Quarter-Final: Beaten by The Cardigans 102-80

Looked out of contention halfway through the Final 40, but rallied, and led "Lovefool" for a bit too
August 24, 2026 at 8:25 PM
#PPP96

5. BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - "The State I Am In"
334 Points
48 Voters 🏠
Hater Rating: 👿👿👿
High: 5th (Final)
Low: 16th (40 Votes)

Quarter-Final: Beaten by The Prodigy 110-72

A great streak of 12s near the end secured a place but "Firestarter" got revenge for its round 1 defeat
August 24, 2026 at 8:36 PM
#PPP96 50 VOTE SNAPSHOT!

BLACKSTREET 82%
PRODIGY 60%
MARK MORRISON 61%
CARDIGANS/BUSTA 50%
August 23, 2026 at 2:05 PM
#PPP96 THE QUARTER FINALS!

It's the 'Elite Eight' of 1996 - you have until 4PM (UK time) tomorrow to vote on

BLACKSTREET v STEREOLAB
PRODIGY v BELLE & SEBASTIAN
MARK MORRISON v MANIC STREET PREACHERS
CARDIGANS v BUSTA RHYMES

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
#PPP96 The World Cup Of 1996 QUARTER FINALS
Welcome to THE WORLD CUP OF 1996 Quarter-Finals There are now only EIGHT songs left in the World Cup Of 1996! Vote in each quarter final. Links to the songs: BLACKSTREET - "No Diggity" STEREOLAB - ...
docs.google.com
August 23, 2026 at 1:16 PM