May 16 2008 10:06 PM EDT




Graduation's artistry, a dazzling live show and slew of fresh guest spots put 'Ye where he always said he belonged.
By Shaheem Reid


In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: Kanye West

Why He's Hot
With all due respect to the Diddys and Busta Rhymeses of the world, Kanye West has surpassed everyone as the best live performer in hip-hop. Grooming himself on stadium tours with Jay-Z, U2 and the Rolling Stones over the years has done him good. Even if West didn't release another rap this year, he'd still be the hottest for his Glow in the Dark Tour alone. Without exaggeration, it's the greatest one-man show put on by a hip-hop artist, possibly ever. Pure expression, no irony, just an irrefutable avowal that he is the game's most imaginative visionary right now. 'Ye's sold-out set is an orgy of lights, classic songs and conceptual genius. You've never seen anything like it.


And by the way, he can rap and produce as well. From the stage to the studio, no one puts the entire presentation together like Mr. West. Tremendous! Graduation beat Curtis and every other hip-hop album on the Billboard charts. First-week sales of close to a million and double-platinum certification notwithstanding, it stood out from everything else artistically too. On the last list, we spoke of the dominance of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Stronger." Those two records put Kanye in 2007's top five. This year's ranking was spurred on by "Flashing Lights," a first-listen dance-floor classic in which Kanye narrates his troubled relationship and his hate affair with the paparazzi.

Late last year, while 'Ye was enjoying the commencement of a next level of fame and success, he lost his best friend. He lost one of his life's greatest inspirations, his mother, Donda West. Kanye showed the world his inner strength. He took several weeks to grieve, only to come back with a critically acclaimed international tour and the video for "Flashing Lights."

Of late, he's been unveiling a whole new set of rhymes, with guest appearances alongside vocalists like Estelle and hip-hop's elite, such as Lupe Fiasco, Pusha T, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy.

"I got the money and the fame, man, that don't mean sh--," he raps on the Snowman's "Put On." "I got the Jesus on the chain, man, that don't mean sh--/ 'Cause when the Jeeesus pieces can't bring me peace, yo/ Sure, I need just at least one of Russell's nieces."

Kanye has been telling us he's #1 for years, and now that he has been given the accolade of Hottest MC in the Game, intelligent bets are that he'll continue creating so he won't have to relinquish the title.

"I'mma rap like I got some type of respect for myself/ I don't do it for my health, man/ I do it for the belt, man," he says in Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" remix.

Co-Signer: Snoop Dogg
"I think what makes you hot is your ability to hold a crowd, demand respect, be respected amongst your peers whenever you're in an environment where it is predominantly MCs. ... Kanye West belongs on the list, because his record was phenomenal. I love the way he came on his record. It's was dope. It was clever. It was genius. He kind of moved ahead of his boss if you ask me."

Blistering Ballistics
"You don't see just how fly my style is/ I don't see why I need a stylist/ When I shop so much, I can speak Italian/ I don't know, I just want it better for my kids/ And I ain't sayin' we was from the projects/ But every time I wanted layaway or a deposit/ My dad would say, when you see clothes close your eyelids/ We was sorta like Will Smith and his son/ In the movie, I ain't talkin 'bout the rich ones/ 'Cause every summer, he'd get some brand-new hair-brained scheme to get rich from/ And I don't know what he did for dough/ But he'd send me back to school with a new wardrobe." — From "Champion"

Hot Streak

Albums
Graduation

Selected Mixtapes
N/A

Singles
"Flashing Lights," "Homecoming"

Street Bangers
"Barry Bonds" (featuring Lil Wayne), "Flashing Lights" unofficial remix (featuring R. Kelly)

Key Guest Appearances
Madonna's "Beat Goes On" remix (featuring Pharrell Williams), DJ Felli Fel's "Finer Things" (featuring Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo and Fabolous), Estelle's "American Boy," Kid Sister's "Pro Nails," Young Jeezy's "Put On," Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" remix, N.E.R.D.'s "Everybody Nose" remix (featuring Pusha T and Lupe Fiasco)

Business Ventures
G.O.O.D. Music label, KanyeUniverseCity.com (which includes his frequently updated blog and an online travel agency), his Pastel clothing line

Tours
The Glow in the Dark Tour with openers N.E.R.D., Rihanna and Lupe Fiasco

May 16 2008 10:06 PM EDT

Jay-Z Might Not Care, But He's Still Our #2 'Hottest MC In The Game'








Jigga has said that since the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust already voted him 'The Greatest MC of All Time' ...
By Shaheem Reid


In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: Jay-Z

Why He's Hot
Obviously Jay-Z is not cupid, but it feels like he's indirectly responsible for this recent rash of semi-secret celebrity weddings. (Thanks Jigga.)


Who are we to doubt love? But once Jay and Beyoncé were reported to be married, look how many other celebs have "quietly" gotten hitched. That's influence, baby! It's just one aspect of being a hot MC. Jay's the "biggest star in the world" Kanye West made an entire song about. You wanna speak success, do you? Last November Hov's American Gangster became the 10th #1 album of his career, tying Elvis Presley as the solo artist with most #1s. Only the Beatles have more, with 19.

Since the 2007 list — the same list Jay said he doesn't need to worry about because of his "Greatest MC of All Time" coronation by the MTV News Brain Trust — Jay-Z continued to make the music he was inspired to create, except American Gangster was a little more palpable to the public.

You hear his d-boy dreams on songs such as "Pray" and "Hello Brooklyn 2.0," while his trumpeting of affluence on "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ...)" still reverberates universally.

No one in the game knows the art of capitalizing on their appeal better than Jay-Z. He has more endorsements than an all-star athlete and just a few weeks ago, inked a reported $150 million deal with Live Nation to start a new record label, go on many more tours (his two recent tours sold out faster than the length of an album interlude) and make at least three more LPs. Only U2 and Madonna have gotten contracts so momentous. Jay is obviously in a different realm from his peers, but it hasn't affected his drive to be the best. There still isn't a more exceptional lyricist today and, let's face it, when it come to swag, Hov sits in the pole position. His outlook for the rest of the year? More millions, probably another album, and let's hope his appearance on Tha Carter III is the lyrical slugfest between him and Lil Wayne that will spark a heated argument during out next round table. A video with Jigga and Rick Ross for "Maybach Music" wouldn't the worst thing in the world either!

Co-Signer: 50 Cent
"The new joint he got out with Pharrell ["I Know"]. I enjoy that record, because I made that record. It's 'A Baltimore Love Thing,' my favorite record on The Massacre album."

Blistering Ballistics
"Own boss, own your masters/ Slave's the mentality I carry with me to this very day/ F--- rich, let's get wealthy/ Who else gon' feed we?/ If I need it, I'mma get it however/ God help me ... And I don't need no hook for this sh--!/ I'm so fa sho, it's no façade/ 'Stay outta trouble,' mama said as mama sighed/ She feared her youngest son be a victim of homicide/ But I gotta get you outta here, momma, or I'mma die inside/ And either way, you lose me, momma, so let loose of me."

Hot Streak

Album

American Gangster

Selected Mixtapes

None, but his "Blow The Whistle" freestyle was talked about everywhere from the streets to ESPN News.

Singles
"Roc Boys," "I Know," "Blue Magic"

Street Bangers
"Ignorant Sh--" (featuring Beanie Sigel), "Fallin," "You're Welcome" (featuring Mary J. Blige)

Key Guest Appearances Rick Ross' "Maybach Music," Mariah Carey's "Bye Bye" remix, 50 Cent's "I Get Money" remix

Business Ventures
Signed a $150 million dollar deal with Live Nation that includes touring, marketing, starting a new label called Roc Nation and three albums.

Opened up another 40/40 in Las Vegas, NV in late 2007.

Tours
Headlined his own "American Gangster" tour in late 2007. Co-Headlined "Heart of the City" tour with Mary J. Blige in Spring 2008.

May 16 2008 10:06 PM EDT

Lil Wayne Didn't Reclaim The 'Hottest MCs In The Game' Crown, But Checks In At A Respectable #3Views 171





Weezy could be a strong contender for next #1 once long-awaited Tha Carter III arrives.
By Shaheem Reid


In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: Lil Wayne

Why He's Hot
Simply a master of brayed bars and audacious approach, Lil Wayne's boundaryless microphone-bogarting has made him hip-hop's most exciting man to listen to. How many times have you felt like Weezy was just going to jump right out of your iPod and fall on your shoulders? How many times have you tried to figure out how he can use so many different patterns, tirelessly bulldozing through any track? Cruel! Just cruel, we tell ya. He works the hardest and has legions (yes, legions) of fans — the same ones who treat the leaked tracks that have flooded mixtapes like precious collectibles — who will tell you he's the most naturally gifted spitter in the universe right now.


Birdman Jr. is still the name on everybody's lips, he's still the guy that everybody wants to work with. After thieving all the attention from everyone he's collaborated with (think Playaz Circle's "Duffle Bag Boy" or that conversation rap he has on Mario's "Crying Out for Me" remix), Weezy has finally pushed the launch button on his long-awaited third installment of Tha Carter series. The libidinous "Lollipop" was Weezy's biggest song ever and came just when some were starting to question whether he could make his own hit record. (Guess they never heard "Tha Block Is Hot.") What made "Lollipop" even more monumental — as if thousands of girls sensually dancing to it at the club weren't enough — was that it marked the end of Lil Wayne the rapper (one who doesn't mind being licked, according to the song) and the beginning of Weezy F. the artist. The record is so rich in melody, it's hard to believe that's really Wayne singing, but he did it again on Usher's "Love in This Club, Part II."

Tha Carter III is unanimously the most anticipated album of 2008, but then again, it was also the most anticipated of 2007. The project's delay and lack of benefits that come with releasing an album — like headlining an arena tour — were the only thing that prohibited the roundtable members from crowning him the Hottest once again. Brain Trust member Tuma Basa wasn't exaggerating when he said Wayne's hold on his fans is approaching messianic stature. All he needs is to deliver the Grail, which is known as Tha Carter III.

Co-Signer: Jay-Z
"I've seen all the greats. You're not going to shock me. I pretty much look for star quality, and I think after the star quality, you can pretty much work on everything else to see if a person develops. And that's another thing people are not given time to develop anymore. They are expected to be great from the first record: 'You better be great.' You can't be great; you're new, you have to develop. In the case of Lil Wayne, he had years and years and time to develop. He started so young. He had years to develop to who he is now. So I pretty much look for star quality. You're a star if you're a star. On any stage, in any room, if you're a star, you're a star. We'll work on the rest. You can work on songwriting. You can work on finding great songs. You can work on being a better lyricist. Although, if you're great, you're great."

Blistering Ballistics
"Unf---ingbelievable, Lil Wayne's the president/ F--- 'em, f--- 'em, f--- 'em, even if they celibate/ I know the game is crazy, it's more crazy than it's ever been/ I'm married to that crazy b----, call me Kevin Federline/ It's obvious that he'll be Cash Money till the death of him/ The ground shall break when they bury him." — From "I'm Me"

Hot Streak

Albums
The Leak (street CD)

Selected Mixtapes
Da Drought Is Over (unauthorized series)

Singles
"Lollipop" (featuring Static Major)

Street Bangers
"A Millie," "I'm Me," "Gossip," "Outstanding," "Dying," "Lollipop" remix (featuring Kanye West)

Key Guest Appearances
Fat Joe's "The Crack House," Shawty Lo's "Dey Know" remix (also featuring Ludacris, Young Jeezy and more), Wyclef Jean's "Sweetest Girl" (also featuring Akon and Raekwon), Mario's "Crying Out for Me" remix, Lloyd's "Girls Around the World," DJ Khaled's "Brown Paper Bag" (also featuring Fat Joe, Rick Ross and more) and "I'm So Hood" remix (also featuring Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and more), Gym Class Heroes' "Viva La White Girl" remix, Usher's "Love in This Club, Part II" (also featuring Beyoncé), Rick Ross' "Luxury Tax" (also featuring Young Jeezy and Trick Daddy), Playaz Circle's "Duffle Bag Boy," Birdman's "Pop Bottles" and "100 Million" (also featuring Rick Ross, Dre and more), Jay-Z's "Hello Brooklyn 2.0"

Business Ventures
Launched new liquor, cultivating Young Money Entertainment label with artists including Tyga, Nikki Menaj and Lil' Chuckie

Tours
Headlined his own mini-tour 2007-2008, domestically and internationally

May 16 2008 6:24 PM EDT

'Hottest MCs In The Game': Rick Ross Bosses Up To #4




Ross talks a big game about his high-end lifestyle, but he has the rhymes to back it up.

In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: Rick Ross

Why He's Hot
Oh, to be loved! Rick Ross' bossin' up is one of hip-hop's most entertaining chronicles right now. Miami's new emperor has been able to coagulate all the right characteristics: unruffled, husky charm seemingly from the B.I.G. lineage, concretely convincing rap elegy and transfixing influence.


In March he went up against veteran friends Fat Joe and Snoop Dogg in a three-way SoundScan confrontation, resulting in a second-straight #1 debut for the Port of Miami representative. Of the hip-hop projects to drop this year, his sophomore album, Trilla — influenced by Michael Jackson's Thriller in title and hopes of impact — is definitely the standard for excellence midway through 2008. "Speedin' " with R. Kelly was the marquee co-sign a top-five MC should have at his disposal, but "The Boss" with T-Pain — Ricky Ross' cigar-smoke-and-champagne-fueled anthem — is what left his inscription on the fans.

As we hit the spring and summer, look for Ross' big-shotting to keep shaking the soil underneath his feet. He's introducing artists on his label, Maybach Entertainment, planning a tour and working on an album and movie with Birdman called "H." And expect to hear more of his untested cameo carnage — Nas, T.I. and DJ Khaled (of course) are just a few people thinking about having him on their albums.

Co-Signer: Nas
"He comes from an era that I'm familiar with. He talks about things I'm familiar with. He lives a lifestyle that's about the party, the glamour. Maybach music. The truck jewelry, the yachts. That's what I like about Ross. I didn't see that in too many artists. He ain't trippin' about it. It's just him. He ain't trying to show something like it ain't been done before, he's just smooth with it. I see similarities with myself."

Blistering Ballistics
"Am I a target for police because I puff weed?/ Not an artist or regarded as a Puffy/ Like a pimp, I'mma skip past a Kim Porter/ Like a pimp order, pimp, I import her/ Every dime you give her known as a pimp quarter/ 'Cause every time she deliver like a pimp taught her/ She ain't married to the game, just a pimp's daughter/ Every Benz that I gain, I get the limp harder." — From "We Shinin' "

Hot Streak

Albums
Trilla

Selected Mixtapes
N/A

Singles
"Speedin' " (featuring R. Kelly), "The Boss" (featuring T-Pain), "Here I Am" (featuring Nelly and Avery Storm)

Street Bangers
"All I Have in This World (Japanese Denim)," "Money Make Me Come," "Maybach Music" (featuring Jay-Z), "Luxury Tax" (featuring Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Trick Daddy)

Key Guest Appearances
Ace Hood's "Cash Flow" (also featuring T-Pain), DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood," DTP's "Down in the Dirty" (also featuring Ludacris and Bun B), Danity Kane's "Ecstasy," Rocko's "Umma Do Me" unofficial street remix (also featuring T.I. and Young Jeezy), DJ Khaled's "Out Here Grindin' " (also featuring Lil Wayne, Akon, Plies and more), Flo Rida's "Money Right" (also featuring Brisco)

Business Ventures
Founded Maybach Entertainment label (artists include Carroll City Cartel), produced the documentary "M.I. Yayo: The Movie"

Tours
Hypnotized Tour with Plies, Lil Boosie and The-Dream in early 2008


May 16 2008 10:00 PM EDT

Snoop Dogg's Widespread Appeal Makes Him Our #5 'Hottest MC In The Game'








The OG has surprised fans by revealing his sensitive side and his singing skills.
By Shaheem Reid


In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: Snoop Dogg

Why He's Hot
It just didn't matter. Snoop said he didn't write his lyrics for his latest album, Ego Trippin'. His first single, "Sensual Seduction," mostly featured him singing through an Auto-Tune device. His next single, "My Medicine," is a country song. Country! Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty (with the Afro) and Garth Brooks' type of country. The intrepid OG is getting away with murder and the Brain Trust members are his enablers. Snoop is in that Holy Land territory where people love him for being him almost more than for what he actually does. What's wrong with that? Honestly, can anyone really say that they aren't enamored with everything the Dogg is doing right now?


His latest LP is one of the most consistent of his career, rich with potentially massive singles and grounding cuts with street appeal. Onstage, Snoop is a walking, talking human superlative, as proven by his performance at last year's J.A.M. Awards and earlier this year on an episode of "VH1 Storytellers." His OG bluster can captivate crowds at concerts featuring rap artists like Rick Ross and Fat Joe, but he's just as irresistible co-headlining a rock-heavy tour with 311.

Snoop reeled in even more fans when he launched his reality show, "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood." On the show, the Long Beach native introduced us to his family and let people see him in settings as intimate as his wedding-vows renewal ceremony. He cried on the dance floor while listening to Guy's "Let's Chill" and taught his kids to play soccer with David Beckham. A second season is coming later in 2008, and with Ego Trippin' having a lot more life in its cycle, expect Snoop to contend for next year's list as well.

Co-Signer: DJ Drama
"I have to give credit for Snoop being real. I just think that that should show how confident and how real he is as an MC. Nobody can take that away from Snoop. Since '92 ... you can't say Snoop isn't an MC. So for him to have come out and said, 'I didn't write my raps on this last album' — we all know Snoop can rap. So I guess it would have to be taken into consideration that his biggest song was kind of sing-y, but he still spit his 16 at the end of it. Let's not front like don't nobody get no rhymes written for 'em. Snoop is man enough. Snoop is big enough in hip-hop to be able to say, 'I didn't write my rhymes. I let some young dudes do they thing.' I'm sure they probably got credited in the liner notes."

Blistering Ballistics
"They love it when I let down my hair/ From Jessica Alba to Jessica Simpson/ Even Jessica Biel wanna know how I feel/ So I let 'em all come to my back table/ Roll up and lick the paper if they able/ Bottles of everything, models and everything/ Everything goes and, yes, I mean everything/ Cocaine castles, I ain't sniffin'/ But baby that played in that one movie is trippin' .../ Act like you been around a boss, b----, settle down." — from "Deez Hollywood Nights"

Hot Streak

Albums
Ego Trippin'

Selected Mixtapes
N/A

Singles
"Sensual Seduction," "Life of Da Party," "My Medicine"

Street Bangers
"Neva Have 2 Worry," "Press Play"

Key Guest Appearances
N/A

Business Ventures
"Snoop Dogg's Father Hood," production company QDT Music Group (founded with DJ Quik and Teddy Riley)

Tours
Various festivals and spot dates

May 16 2008 10:00 PM EDT

'Hottest MCs In The Game': 50 Cent Gets Money And The List's #6 Spot









Businessman Fif raked in the cash last year but still made time for mixtape fans.

In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Flame Thrower: 50 Cent

Why He's Hot
Curtis underperformed — 50 himself called it a "dud." Still, it sold more than any other hip-hop release last year except, of course, Kanye West's Graduation. And despite the false starts that led to his #8 spot on the 2007 "Hottest MCs" list, "I Get Money," "Ayo Technology" and "I'll Still Kill" maintained his credibility as a musical commodity to close out the year.


You don't make hundreds of millions of dollars (close to half a billion last year, according to some reports) by being thickheaded. 50 Cent can learn from his mistakes. Before releasing Curtis in September, Fif deviated from one of his prime sources of support: the mixtape circuit. He made up for lost time very quickly last fall when he put out Sabrina's Baby Boy and followed up with The Return of the Body Snatchers and Elephant in the Sand. The three releases helped him gain some of the traction he had lost in the street, while also introducing records from the G-Unit's upcoming Terminate on Sight, "Rider Part 2" and "I Like the Way She Do It."

Fif's firmest footing might not be on the 'hood's concrete or in Hollywood ("Righteous Kill" with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino comes out later this year) or even on foreign soil (he's spent most of the last year touring continents such as Africa, Asia and Europe), but in cyberspace. The Queens general recently launched ThisIs50.com, which almost immediately became a staple on the Web. In March, more than a million fans went to the site to download Elephant in the Sand. He's been using it not only for social networking and news, but for promoting himself and the Unit. The site features low-budget videos for a gaggle of songs from their mixtapes and Web shorts that play out like mini reality-TV episodes starring the crew.

This summer will establish just how powerful the Unit really are. Young Buck has been kicked out of the group, leaving Lloyd Banks, 50 and Tony Yayo to contend with a heavy playing field of summer releases from acts like T.I., Nas, Nelly and old nemesis Game.

Co-Signer: DJ Drama
"50 brought a lot of the streets back, in my opinion. 50 put out a good, solid album. Probably wasn't as big as his other albums, but it had a lot of bangers on there. 'I Get Money' is gonna be one of those songs that stands the test of time. I'll be able to play it four years from now. 50 deserves credit for the mixtapes they put out. G-Unit, in the last six months, have put out at least three tapes, if I'm not mistaken. He went back to his roots. We talking 'bout a half-a-billion-dollar man, and he's still in the streets. I tell artists all the time, 'If 50 does it, why don't you do it?' Just overall, his presence in the streets, between his albums and between the G-Unit album, he's making himself known and keeping the same formula that got him to where he is.

"50 is a lyricist. 50 puts great songs together, great hooks together. His lyrics don't necessarily go over anybody's head, but he's an MC. He's still making the same street bangers. As wealthy as he is, he still has that same energy, that same impact."

Blistering Ballistics
"I told Jimmy Iovine ass to shut the f--- up/ Got Dre callin' Shady sayin, 'Em, what's up?/ We done came this far, we can't stop now/ Em, 50 off the hook, he got to calm down'/ I guess I'm out of control, my mind, body and soul/ Tell me I'm being pimped and it's makin' me sick/ You know Em made that company over a billion dollars/ And when he ain't around, they sayin' foul sh-- about him/ Yeah, we f---ed up, we both don't know our pops/ We both don't like the cops, we don't know when to stop." — From "Smile (I'm Leavin')"

Hot Streak

Albums
Curtis

Selected Mixtapes
Sabrina's Baby Boy, The Return of the Body Snatchers, Elephant in the Sand

Singles
"I'll Still Kill" (featuring Akon), "Follow My Lead" (featuring Robin Thicke), G-Unit's "Rider Part 2" and "I Like the Way She Do It"

Street Bangers
"We on Some Sh--," "Southside," "Curtis 187," "Man Down," "The Mechanic," G-Unit's "Like a Dog"

Key Guest Appearances
N/A

Business Ventures
Launched ThisIs50.com; landed roles in various Hollywood projects, including the upcoming "Righteous Kill" with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino

Tours
Various overseas treks

May 16 2008 10:00 PM EDT

Lupe Fiasco Rises From Nowhere On Last Year's List To This Year's #7 'Hottest MC In The Game'Views 75






'He's got swag,' T.I. says.
By Shaheem Reid


In summer 2007, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust sat down and had another controversial roundtable debate. Unlike previous discussions, the trustees devised a list of not the greatest ever, but the Hottest MCs in the Game right then. The rankings were based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger. The roundtable recently reconvened and came up with a brand-new list of Hottest MCs. Our experts used the same criteria, but only judged on the past year of hip-hop.

Check out the full "Hottest MCs in the Game" list, and the full show!

Lupe Fiasco

Why He's Hot
With swagger that lays somewhere between dope-boy fresh and Louis-Viutton-Don dapper, "He spat the poems that got their domes all geeked up." Did Lupe have a legitimate gripe about being totally ignored by the Brain Trust during last year's list and subsequent sidebar convos? Absolutely. Did the trustees tell the world that their list was neither perfect nor definitive? Absolutely. Nevertheless, Lupe made it impossible to overlook him this time (and not just because of the support he's getting from his peers). A little less arcane and definitely darker than 2006's Food and Liquor, his The Cool LP borders on classic contention. His blatant sarcasm didn't sacrifice his lyrical legerdemain on "Dumb It Down." The articulation of emotion and attention to detail on "Hip-Hop Saved My Life" makes the song easily one of 2008's most cherished, and the ample airplay for "Superstar" and many weeks as Billboard's top rap record re-established Lu's nascent star power.


The coolest thing about The Cool was that Lupe was able to maintain his rap incorruptibility when recording it. Fiasco just didn't care that the over-the-headness of some of his lyrical bars may have reaped disparagement from critics or fans — but since The Cool is already certified gold, it's obviously caught some ears. The Chicago native's profile is higher than its ever been: Late last year he top-lined his own tour, and this spring Fiasco has become such an attraction that fans are getting to venues early to catch his opening act on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour.

Co-Signer: T.I.
"I wanted to work with him because of his fearlessness when it comes to his music. He's got swag. It's not the same swag — by definition — as I have, but he has it. He's not trying to fit in with other people. He's carving out his own lane. You gotta respect him for that — and he's skillful."

Blistering Ballistics
"She would be my queen/ I could be her king/ Together, she would make me cool/ And we would both rule, forever/ And I would never feel pain/ And never be without pleasure ever again/ And if the rain stops and everything's dry/ She would cry/ Just so I can drink the tears from her eyes/ She'll teach me how to fly/ Even cushion my fall/ If my engines ever stall/ And I plummet from the sky." — From "The Coolest"

Hot Streak

Album
The Cool

Selected Mixtapes
N/A

Singles
"Superstar," "Hip-Hop Saved My Life," "Paris, Tokyo"

Street Bangers
"Superstar" remix (featuring Young Jeezy and T.I.), "Dumb It Down," "Us Placers" (featuring Kanye West and Pharrell Williams)

Key Guest Appearances
N.E.R.D.'s "Everybody Nose" remix (also featuring Kanye West and Pusha T)

Business Ventures
N/A

Tours
Headlined his own The Cool tour in late 2007/ early 2008; opening act on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour in spring 2008

Kanye deserves to be #1 for Graduation! Jay-Z deserves to be #2 for American Gangster! Lupe Fiasco deserved to be on this list because he got a mainstream list and went hard and put out The Cool! The only one who doesn't deserve to be on this list is 50 Cent!

IMO, Wayne should've ben higher than Jay-Z, 50 & Lupe should've been higher than Snoop, and Andre 3000 & maybe T.I. shouldn't have made the list. I'll give my personal list tomorrow.

The Top Ten:
10. T.I.
9. Andre 3000
8. Young Jeezy
7. Lupe Fiasco
6. 50 Cent
5. Snoop Dogg
4. Rick Ross
3. Lil Wayne
2. Jay-Z
1. Kanye West


http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/158...st_kanye.jhtml

yay

This list is PERFECT!

Kanye at #1! Rick Ross shouldn't be there, because I really didn't like any of his stuff until "The Boss". Jay-Z's fine, as well as Lil Wayne. 50 shouldn't be there. Lupe's fine, Snoop shouldn't be there, T.I. should be higher. Jeezy shouldn't be there nor should Andre 3000. Nas should be there, Eminem as well.

who's hot now:

1. wayne
2. jeezy
3. kanye...never #1
4. ti
5. 50 cent ....wat he calls a flop is still the best selling world wide. and 2nd best inthe US.
6. snoop
7. jay z......barely does 1 mil. is only talked about bc he's with beyonce
8. andre
9.rick ross
10. souljah boy...the kids love him

eminem nas? this is not a who you like...it's who actually has material out that is performing.

Kanye West, Young Jeezy, Weezy.F. Baby, T.I.

KANYE deserves it, he's just been getting so sick on these remixes.

My list:
10. Snoop Dogg
9. Common
8. Plies
7. Lupe Fiasco
6. Young Jeezy
5. Rick Ross
4. 50 Cent
3. Jay-Z
2. Lil Wayne
1. Kanye West