KENDRICK LAMAR IS THE HOTTEST MC IN THE GAME

Every year since 2007, the MTV Braintrust (headed by popular MTV VJ Sway Calloway) crown one MC as the hottest in the game. As you might imagine, a task such as picking a single rapper to be acknowledged as the ‘hottest’ cannot be accomplished without much controversy and disagreements.

This year, Kanye West had issues with being given the No. 7 slot. In typical Kanye behaviour, the Chicago native went on live radio to voice his grievances. The whole commotion didn’t slow down the judging process though.

After the week-long affair, California native Kendrick Lamar was crowned based on a unanimous vote by MTV’s Hip-Hop Brain Trust; ‘The Hottest MC in the Game’. Lyrically, Lamar is an expert spitter who weaves complex rhyme patterns around soul-drenched beats, with as unique a style as rap has seen in years. And while verbal depth isn’t usually a marker for rap success, the Compton rapper moved major units when he dropped his debut album, ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’.

Released in October on Interscope and Dr. Dre’s ‘Aftermath Entertainment’, the LP earned Kendrick a gold plaque before 2012 was over and is making its way toward platinum status with more than 700,000 units sold to date. The Drake-assisted “Poetic Justice” just crept into the Billboard‘s top 10 on the Rap charts, while his platinum-selling commentary on alcoholism, “Swimming Pools (Drank),” hit #1 on the Rap Songs chart.

He also turned up on the final verse of A$AP Rocky’s Billboard beast “F***in’ Problems” and Schoolboy Q’s deep and penetrating “Blessed.” Then there was Lamar’s headlining run on the BET Music Matters Tour, his European run and a Coachella set that saw him perform alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and the infamous Tupac hologram.

Last year’s top dog, Rick Ross, falls to #3. Hip-hop veteran Nas makes his first appearance ever on the list at #4 along with newcomers A$AP Rocky (#8) and Future (#9), who also score their first placements.

MTV’s Hip-Hop Brain Trust selected the lyricists based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow, buzz, commercial success, business ventures, web presence, and cultural influence. See the full list below.

MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game VIII” List

1. Kendrick Lamar
2. 2 Chainz
3. Rick Ross
4. Nas
5. Drake
6. Big Sean
7. Kanye West
8. A$AP Rocky
9. Future
10. Meek Mill