Meek Mill Joins 'Hottest MCs' Power Circle At #10 SpotAfter a head-to-head battle with French Montana, Philly spitter gets that #10 position on the 'Hottest MCs' list.
Meek Mill stormed his way onto radio back in 2011 with the street bangers "Ima Boss" and "Tupac Back," and that heat didn't cool off the following year, helping him to land at the #10 position on MTV News' "Hottest MCs in the Game VIII" list.
While he prepped his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, the MMG rapper kept busy early in the year with features on Rick Ross' Rich Forever mixtape, in addition to appearances on remixes of tracks like Wale's "Slight Work" and Tyga's "Rack City."
By the spring, he delivered a brand-new body of work on his Dreamchasers 2 mixtape, which included the smash "Amen" (featuring Drake) and other notables like "Racked Up Shawty" with Fabolous. Even Jay-Z took notice, signing Meek to a Roc Nation management deal while his tape was still in heavy rotation.
Just over a month later, MMG dropped their Self Made Vol. 2 album, which found the Philadelphia rapper spitting hard on tracks like the eight-minute posse cut "Power Circle." His audience was primed and ready for Meek's debut, which finally dropped in October, debuting at #2 with 165,000 copies sold.
Meek's #10 spot didn't go uncontested though. While members of the MTV Hip-Hop Brain Trust argued that Pusha T deserved to be in contention for his verses on G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer album, there was an even more passionate argument for French Montana, who originally landed at #10 when the votes were tallied.
What Does It Take To Make The List? Check Out Our Criteria!The Bronx rapper certainly had a big presence with his inescapable summer anthem "Pop That" plus cuts like "Diamonds" (featuring Rick Ross and J. Cole), from his Mac and Cheese 3 mixtape, and a crossover feature on Ne-Yo's "Let Me Love You (Remix)." "I think Meek is a better lyricist, but we're talking about heat, and if you went out, French was everywhere," MTV News' Managing Editor Rebecca Thomas noted.
When all was said and done, however, Meek still edged out French. securing #10. "This list would be unfair if Meek didn't make it," RapFix blog editor Nadeska Alexis added, pointing out that even the veterans took notice: "He drops Dreamchasers 2, signs a management deal with Roc Nation, and Jay-Z and Will Smith are showing up to his album listening session."
"Hottest MCs in the Game VIII" kicks off Sunday at 11 a.m. ET on MTV2's 'Week In Jams' ... concludes with a special on Thursday, March 7, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV Jams to catch. Join the debate on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC
Future Joins 'Hottest MCs' Power Circle At #10 Spot
Considering where Future was at the start of his career, the meteoric rise that he's experienced over the past year is more than enough reason for the Astronaut Kid to keep his head in the clouds and the #9 spot on MTV News' "Hottest MCs in the Game VIII" list.
What began as a strictly underground run began to take off in 2011 with Future's "Tony Montana" single and its Drake-assisted remix. During 2012, however, Future sky-rocketed to new heights with high-powered pop hooks, while still keeping his hold on the streets. His mix of melodic arrangements and raspy rap bars were a sure-shot formula for some of the year's biggest hits.
"You can go to any club, you'll hear not only one Future song, you'll hear probably six in a row," argued MTV Hip-Hop Brain Trust veteran Steven Roberts. "I think he is the Hottest MC."
Whether it was the gold-selling, chart-topping syrupy ballad "Turn on the Lights," the T.I.-backed "Magic" or the infectious "Same Damn Time," Future seemed to have club staples on lock. But it was his guest spots on songs like Rihanna's "Loveeeeeee Song" and Lil Wayne's "Love Me" that helped create a sense that the Atlanta rapper/songwriter was omnipresent. "Love Me" is a top 10 Billboard hit, and if the Rihanna record ever gets released as a single, it has the potential to do the same.
Chart placement aside, there were the intangibles: Not only has Future been a sought-after hook man, working his magic with Ace Hood ("Bugatti"), DJ Drama ("We in This Bitch") and Rick Ross ("Ring Ring"), he also performed at the 2012 NFL NFC Championship game in January — a true testament to his popularity.
Tune in as the "Hottest MCs in the Game VIII" debate kicks off on MTV2's 'Week In Jams' on Sunday, March 3, at 11 a.m. ET and reveals #1 on Thursday, March 7, at 10 p.m. ET on MTV Jams.#8 & #7 revealed tomorrow
with the list from 10 to 2, it will be pretty easy to know who will be #1
by King Lance » Mar 2nd, '13, 17:33 
