It’s that controversial time of year whereby MTV drops their top ten list of the best MC’s within the past 12 months. We’ve heard dope verses from the likes of Rick Ross this year, Drake and Kanye West to name a few. This is the 4th year since debuting in 2007 with each year causing controversy amongst Hip Hop, We’ve seen the situation between Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne well that all began when Birdman made comments on Jay-Z being named best MC in the Game for 2009 which we dicussed during our ‘Big debate’ . So with that being said we’re going to go through the 2011 list below. So who did MTV crown number 1 on their list? Find out after the jump!
HOT STREAK
Album:Ambition
Selected Mixtapes:The Eleven One Eleven Theory
Singles: “That Way” (featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross), “Lotus Flower Bomb” (featuring Miguel) and “600 Benz” (featuring Jadakiss and Rick Ross)
Street Bangers: “Bait,” “Chain Music”
Key Guest Appearances: Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands,” Shawty Lo’s “Pocahontas” and Trae Tha Truth’s “I’m On.”
Meteoric Metrics: Two #1 rap albums with Ambition and MMG’s Self Made, vol. 1, #1 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop single “Lotus Flower Bomb.”
Business Ventures: N/A
Tours: Dates with Rick Ross
Monumental Moment: Signing to Rick Ross’ Maybach Music and notching a #1 Rap Album with his sophomore effortAmbition
Forecast: After his 2009 debut, Attention Deficit, yielded less-than-stellar results, Wale reinvented himself as a member of Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. After setting himself up properly with appearances on MMG’s Self Made, Vol. 1 and his own The Eleven One Eleven Theory mixtape, the D.C. spitter’sAmbition should solidify him as a major player in rap for many years to come.
HOT STREAK
Albums:Rolling Papers and Mac & Devin Go to High School (with Snoop Dogg)
Selected Mixtapes:Cabin Fever
Singles: “Black and Yellow,” “Roll Up,” “No Sleep” and “Young, Wild & Free” (featuring Snoop Dogg and Bruno Mars)
Street Bangers: “On My Level” and “Taylor Gang”
Key Guest Appearances: Tinie Tempah’s “Till I’m Gone”; DJ Drama’s “Oh My”; T-Pain’s “5 O’Clock”; and Cee Lo Green’s “Bright Lights Bigger City”
Meteoric Metrics: Notched a #1 rap album with his certified-gold debut,Rolling Papers; scored three platinum plaques for his “Roll Up,” “No Sleep” and “Young, Wild & Free” singles. Saw his 2010 single “Black and Yellow” peak at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2011. Wiz also clocked in at #11 onForbes‘ Hip-Hop Top 20 Earners list, raking in $11 million last year.
Business Ventures: Started his Taylor Gang label by signing rap veteran Juicy J and up-and-coming model/rapper Lola Monroe
Tours:Rolling Papers Tour
Monumental Moment: Wiz Khalifa racked up a series of wins last year, but after Rolling Papers went gold, the Pittsburgh spitter proved he could turn his Internet mixtape grind into a bankable, mainstream hustle.
Forecast: After scoring a gold plaque for his debut, Wiz is already preparing a new mixtape (Taylor Allderdice) and his sophomore album (O.N.I.F.C.) for a 2012 release. He has already promised to outdo Rolling Papers.
HOT STREAK
Album:Finally Famous
Selected Mixtapes: None
Singles: “My Last” (featuring Chris Brown), “Marvin & Chardonnay” (featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash) and “Dance (A$$)” remix (featuring Nicki Minaj)
Street Bangers: “I Do It”
Key Guest Appearances: Kelly Rowland’s “Lay It On Me” and Wale’s “Slight Work”
Meteoric Metrics: Snagged a #1 rap album with Finally Famous and #1 rap single with “My Last.”
Business Ventures: N/A
Tours:Finally Famous Tour
Monumental Moment: Big Sean’s firstFinally Famous single, “My Last,” shot up to #1 on the Billboard Rap Charts, proving that the Kanye West protégé could stand on his own as a certified hitmaker.
Forecast: It’s hard to shine next to Kanye West, but Big Sean stepped out of Yeezy’s shadow and crafted his debut with veteran producer No I.D. The album has yielded three hits in “My Last,” “Marvin & Chardonnay” and “Dance (A$$).” The Detroit MC is already working on his sophomore album for a 2012 release, but not before he puts in work on Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label compilation. Seems like things will only get bigger for Sean.
HOT STREAK
Albums:Self Made, Vol. 1 with Maybach Music Group
Selected Mixtapes:Dreamchasers
Singles: “Ima Boss” (featuring Rick Ross), “Tupac Back” (featuring Rick Ross) and “House Party” (featuring Young Chris)
Street Bangers: “Tony Story” and “Ima Boss” remix (featuring T.I., Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Swizz Beatz and DJ Khaled)
Key Guest Appearances: Tyga’s “Rack City” remix, Maino’s “Cream” and Rick Ross’ “Last Breath”
Meteoric Metrics: Along with MMG, Meek scored a #1 rap album with the label’s Self Made, Vol.1 compilation.
Business Ventures: Hooked up with Ecko Unltd to start his Dreamchasers clothing line.
Tours: Hit the road with Lil Wayne tourmate Rick Ross, playing select dates on Weezy’s I’m Still Music Tour
Monumental Moment: A month after appearing on the 2011 XXL Freshman cover, Meek announced he had signed with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group.
Forecast: Meek’s accomplishments are more impressive when you consider that he has yet to release his debut album. With an unspecified 2012 release date on the table, look for Meek Milly’s star to rise in the coming month
HOT STREAK
Album:Watch the Throne with Kanye West as the Throne
Selected Mixtapes: None
Singles: “H.A.M,” “Otis” and “N—as in Paris” (as the Throne); “Glory” (featuring B.I.C.)
Street Bangers: “No Church in the Wild” (as the Throne)
Key Guest Appearances: Rihanna’s “Talk That Talk,” J. Cole’s “Nice Watch” and Young Jeezy’s “I Do”
Meteoric Metrics: Captured another #1 with now-platinum Watch the Throne,scored a #1 Rap hit with “N—as in Paris” and topped Forbes’ Hip-Hop’s Top Earners list
Business Ventures: New Jersey Nets minority owner broke ground on Brooklyn’s Barclay Center arena, where he plans to move the NBA team
Tours: Grossed more than $448 million on the Watch the Throne Tour, played two dates at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall
Monumental Moment: Hov and Yeezy did what no superstar rapper in recent memory has been able to do: kept their album from leaking and thus created a moment
Forecast: Jay’s no stranger to the “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. It’s a safe bet that Hov will be back next year if he releases his planned solo album and theWTT follow-up.
HOT STREAK
Album:Tha Carter IV
Selected Mixtapes:Sorry 4 the Wait
Singles: “How to Love,” “She Will” (featuring Drake), “Mirror” (featuring Bruno Mars)
Street Bangers: “6 Foot 7 Foot” (featuring Cory Gunz), “John” (featuring Rick Ross)
Key Guest Appearances: Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation,” B.o.B’s “Strange Clouds,” Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” (remix), Drake’s “The Motto”
Meteoric Metrics: Wayne’s #1 Carter IVmoved 964,000 copies in its first week and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA
Business Ventures: Young Money CEO continued to clock dollars off record sales from Drake and Nicki Minaj; launched Trukfit clothing line
Tours: I Am Still Music run took Wayne across three continents and raked in $47 million
Monumental Moment: Hours after closing out the MTV VMAs in August, Tunechi released Tha Carter IV, earning a platinum plaque in just 14 days.
Forecast: Wayne should continue to dominate in 2012. YM president Mack Maine predicted that Weezy will drop sequels to Rebirth and I Am Not a Human Being, and Tha Carter V is always a possibility.
HOT STREAK
Album:Pink Friday
Selected Mixtapes: None
Singles: “Super Bass,” “Fly” (featuring Rihanna) and “Starships”
Street Bangers: “Did it on Em,” “Roman in Moscow,” “Stupid Hoe”
Key Guest Appearances: Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” remix, Birdman’s “Y.U. Mad” and Drake’s “Make Me Proud”
Meteoric Metrics: Nicki continued to dominate the singles chart thanks to “Super Bass,” which peaked at #3 on theBillboard Hot 100.
Business Ventures: The Barbie starred in Mac’s Viva Glam campaign and linked with OPI to launch her own nail polish.
Tours: She hit the road with Lil Wayne on his I Am Still Music Tour and Britney Spears on the Femme Fatale Tour.
Monumental Moment: Nicki took home the Best Hip-Hop Video VMA for “Super Bass.”
Forecast: With Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on the way, Nicki should once again rule the airwaves in 2012, but Roman is a different story …
HOT STREAK
Album:Watch the Throne with Jay-Z;My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Selected Mixtapes: None
Singles: “All of the Lights” (with Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie); “H.A.M,” “N—as in Paris” and “Otis” (all with Jay-Z)
Street Bangers: “Paris” remix (with Jay-Z and T.I.)
Key Guest Appearances: Big Sean’s “Marvin & Chardonnay”
Meteoric Metrics:Watch the Thronedebuted at #1 on the album charts and has sold approximately 1.3 million copies to date, while West’s Grammy-winning solo single “All of the Lights” was certified platinum
Business Ventures: Inked an official distribution deal with Def Jam Records for G.O.O.D. Music imprint; launched DW by Kanye West line at Paris Fashion Week
Tours: Along with Jay-Z, West put on one of the most anticipated hip-hop tours to date in support of Watch the Throne.They grossed $48.3 million across 26 dates.
Monumental Moment: Not only did Kanye add “cray” to the rap vernacular, he joined Jay in performing “Paris” a record 11 times at one of their live shows
Forecast: After picking up Grammys for Best Rap Album (MBDTF) and Best Rap Performance (“Otis”), Kanye is currently at work on the highly anticipated G.O.O.D. album. And, of course, the second incarnation of his fashion line is getting plenty of advance buzz.
HOT STREAK
Album:Take Care
Selected Mixtapes: None
Singles: “Headlines,” “Make Me Proud” (featuring Nicki Minaj), “Take Care” (featuring Rihanna)
Street Bangers: “Marvins Room,” “The Motto” (featuring Lil Wayne), “Lord Knows” (featuring Rick Ross)
Key Guest Appearances: DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One,” Waka Flocka Flame’s “Round of Applause,” Future’s “Tony Montana,” Rick Ross’ “Stay Schemin’ ”
Meteoric Metrics: Besides scoring a platinum plaque for Take Care, Drake crushed Billboard with top 10 singles like “Take Care” and “Make Me Proud.”
Business Ventures: Drake further established his OVO brand; helped introduce Toronto singer the Weeknd to the masses
Tours: Drake kicked off his intimate Club Paradise Tour on Valentine’s Day 2012
Monumental Moment: Drake beat the sophomore slump with a #1 debut forTake Care, selling 631,000 units in the first week
Forecast: Drake claims he’s already started writing his third album. And if his and Ross’ Y.O.L.O. ever sees the light of day, expect another year of dominance from Aubrey.
HOT STREAK
Album:Self Made, Vol. 1, with Maybach Music Group
Selected Mixtapes:Rich Forever
Singles: “You the Boss” (featuring Nicki Minaj), “I Love My Bitches”
Street Bangers: “9 Piece” (featuring Lil Wayne), “Stay Schemin’ ” (featuring Drake and French Montana), “Yella Diamonds”
Key Guest Appearances: DJ Khaled’s “I’m on One,” Meek Mill’s “Ima Boss,” Lil Wayne’s “John,” French Montana’s “Shot Caller” remix, Drake’s “Lord Knows”
Meteoric Metrics: Ross established his Maybach Music Group brand as its CEO when he notched two #1 rap albums with Wale’s Ambition and MMG’s Self Made, Vol. 1
Business Ventures: Despite having a solo deal with Def Jam, Ross bossed up and took his MMG label to Warner Music Group, signing Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley.
Tours: Rozay joined Wayne on his I Am Still Music Tour
Monumental Moment: Ross is no stranger to success as a solo artist, but after he signed his MMG label to Warner, he truly became a boss!
Forecast: To be able to dominate 2011 without a solo album released is an amazing feat for Ross. With God Forgives, I Don’t on the way and a possible collabo mixtape with Drake, the Double-M-Genius may be going for the repeat.
And there you have it RICK ROSS becomes the hottest MC of 2011 and I have to agree with that title, As Ross bodied the game last year with feature after feature / Album / Mixtape the bawse is just unstoppable and has been for the pass few years.
MTV really messed up excluding Fabolous from the line up… WTF were they thinking? Fabolous is by far a top 5 best MC’s in the game and for 2011 with his many features and Mixtape towards the end of 2011. J. Cole has had a brilliant few years, he spent 09/10 crafting his work and creating that buzz only for it to materialise in 2011 with huge success and no feature on the hottest MC list?? another unforgivable omittance from MTV if we talking MCs then J. Cole should have made this list. Eminem was also absence from the list, Eminem is by far the greatest MC alive along with Jay-Z but in 2011 he was quite silent so I don’t have an issue with MTV in regards to that.
Positions: Kanye West should have been number 2, Kanye is my favorite rapper not the greatest but my favourite, But Ross put that work in for 2011 so number 2 position for Ye would have been right. Jay-Z should have taken the number 3 position on the list with Drake at 4 and Fabolous at 5. Nicki Minaj hmmmm well Nicki had some hard-hitting verses in 2011 I’ll give her that and to become the first female rapper to make the list I’ll give her that too. But her Pop antics in 2011 and more so in 2012 I feel is enough to take her off the list completely – Just my thoughts as Jay-Z would say. Lil’ Wayne is in a similar situation to Nicki over the course of 2011 he has changed his swag to skating and sports which has effected the way he rhymes his lyrics and his image. The Wayne of 2007 needs to re-enter the Hip Hop ring. J. Cole should have replaced Meek Mill even though Meek is nice on the Mic and Wale and Wiz should have swapped places on the line up.
Let the debates begin with this one, Do you agree? who do you think is missing from the list? who should have been kicked off the list? This list is here to create controversy because at the end of the day its down to opinion not fact but some things do remain fact as they say ‘Men Lie Women Lie but Numbers don’t!’
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