Jay-Z is honored that MTV named him the “Hottest MC in the Game,” but he criticized the network for leaving Eminem off the list. Jay dropped a statement saying: “MTV, Thanx for this nod of appreciation,” the rapper said in a statement. “Although I don’t strive to be ‘hot’ for any particular year, I thank you for the acknowledgment. My whole goal is to be recognized as the best ever. I created the term ‘best rapper alive’ as a sign of respect to my fallen comrades (Biggie and Tupac). I believe I’ve allowed a significant grace period, and I believe I would not be respecting myself if being the absolute best was not my goal, and that’s why I continue to push myself until exhaustion … salute.”
From there, Jay-Z’s statement goes on to question why MTV omitted Eminem from this year’s Hottest MCs roster: “Sidebar: Kanye moment if I may … Eminem?!?! I think you do the credibility of this list a disservice if you don’t thoroughly explain his omission. As of this second, he has the highest selling rap album of the year and a scene-stealing verse on the best ‘posse’ cut of the year. (*Hands mic back to Taylor Swift … and nobody was harmed, I apologize in advance.)”
MTV says Eminem was not included on the list because he was inactive during the summer while he worked on Relapse 2. MTV says other rappers “generated week-to-week heat with mixtapes, guest appearances, performances and Web activity.”
MTV posted this explanation on its web site:
“Eminem’s ranking was one of the most discussed topics at the Roundtable. His hotly anticipated return to hip-hop after a long absence drove first-week sales of over 600,000 — the highest first-week sales of the year so far. He granted a handful of select interviews here and abroad, and was part of a massive moment with Sacha Baron Cohen at the MTV Movie Awards.
But then Em retreated to the lab, where he spent the summer crafting Relapse 2. From June to September, Em all but took himself out of the public eye, while other MCs generated week-to-week heat with mixtapes, guest appearances, performances and Web activity.
He returned in September with comedic moments and a win at the VMAs, then dropped a verse on Drake’s “Forever” (also featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne). The song’s move into heavy rotation came subsequent to our roundtable vote. In between, he kept his profile low.
Eminem is one of the best ever on the mic. His track record is undeniable. The Hottest list deals with right now, though. If the Brain Trust had compiled the Hottest list back in May, there’s no doubt Eminem would have made the Top 10.
In the end, the Hottest MCs in the Game is representative of the opinion of the members of the Brain Trust. You have every right to disagree. That’s what the Hottest MCs is all about: engaging in a thought-provoking, informed, fervent dialogue about hip-hop, the music and culture we all love.”
