Vocal Artists
Even without his own album, Rozay owned 2011 and topped our Hottest MCs in the Game list.
By MTV News staff
Rick Ross
Photo: MTV News / Getty Images
When Rick Ross experiences a personal moment of triumph, a hearty grunt typically marks the occasion. Built up from the bowels of his belly, Rozay’s baritone call has become as ubiquitous as his titillating one-liners — not that a simple ad-lib is the only thing that earned Rick Ross the #1 spot on MTV News’ Hottest MCs in the Game VII list, his first time up top.
Rozay was on pace to release his fifth studio album until he faced a pair of “minor setbacks,” as he so poetically dubs the two seizures he suffered in October.
“God Forgives, I Don’t was slated to come out in 2011, and he had the two seizures, and we thought it was going to make him fall back completely — but he came back and hit us with Rich Forever,” MTV News senior hip-hop writer Rob Markman pointed out during the Hottest debate.
Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC!
The truth is, Rozay’s 2011 reign didn’t hinge on an album release. The Bawse set things up properly in February of last year when he signed his Maybach Music Group record label over to Warner Music Group and scooped up newcomer Meek Mill (this year’s #7 Hottest MC), Wale (#10) and later Stalley. Musically, Ricky Ro put his team in position to dominate with the label compilation Self Made, Vol. 1. Rather than taking all the shine, Ross passed the baton to Meek, who delivered “Ima Boss” and “Tupac Back.” Wale contributed the rhythmic gem “That Way,” and even ousted MMG spitter Pill logged serious miles on the LP.
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.
“You wouldn’t even know that he didn’t have an album out [early last year], because he was all over the radio,” said Rahman Dukes, director of hip-hop news at MTV News.
Whether on his own singles (“You the Boss,” “I Love My Bitches”) or on tracks that he was featured on, the M-I-Yayo MC turned in multiple unforgettable performances. “Ima Boss” was technically Meek’s song, but the casual listener may have missed that fact. Lil Wayne’s “John” was basically a remix of the 2010 Ross track “I’m Not a Star,” and on the summer anthem “I’m on One,” Rozay flexed his muscle alongside Drake and Weezy.
“Rick Ross makes raw records, he makes street records. When he gets on a verse, his beat selection is impeccable,” MTV Jams’ Tuma Basa said, before pointing to Ross’ star-making ability with Meek and Wale. “He’s making other people hot, and these are people, without Ross, may not have been on this list. They’re on this list thanks to Ross.”
It’s deeper than rap with the Double-M-Genius. Beyond the studio, the Bawse proved his worth in the boardroom as well. “I don’t think any artist did a better job of branding than Rick Ross,” said MTV RapFix blog editor Nadeska Alexis. “He was just a marketing genius this year, and you gotta give it to the man.”
Ross meets all the criteria to be considered the Hottest MC in the Game. His impact is irrefutable: Even without a solo album, he maintained a healthy and consistent buzz throughout the year, notching a #1 rap album with his Self Made compilation. Lyrically, Rozay has grown from his “Hustlin’ ” days and become one of the game’s most celebrated spitters, and his swag is through the roof. Check his big-boned, shirtless confidence, immaculately groomed beard and top-of-the-line designer-sunglass collection.
If that weren’t enough, the rotund Rozay cemented his #1 spot in January when he dropped his free 19-song Rich Forever mixtape. While there is no SoundScan or Billboard chart that can measure its impact, with Rich Forever, Ross proved in this era of overdone crossover singles that rap still rules.
“Rick Ross, I think, provides hope to that MC, to that kid growing up who just wants to rap and make street music and say, ‘You know what? In this world where hip-hop has become pop, you can still just rap,’ ” Markman said.
Insert Rick Ross grunt here!
What do you think of our list? Sound off on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” using the hashtag #HottestMC!
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YMCMB standout was ‘On One’ this year, from undeniable features to Take Care.
By MTV News staff
Drake
Photo: Getty Images
Drake says his only cares are money and his native Toronto, but judging from the way he showed out in 2011, you have to figure rap dominance was pretty high on his list too. Drizzy definitely got his money and went to great lengths to put the city where he’s from on the map. Those efforts helped Drake clinch the #2 slot on MTV News’ Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
“A lot of times artists are faced with a sophomore slump. I think Drake surpassed it and probably had one of the best hip-hop albums of the year,” said Steven Roberts, MTV News producer/writer, about the chart-topping Take Care.
Although Drake didn’t drop the November 2011 project until the fourth quarter, he maintained a serious presence all year: whether through personally leaked tracks like “Dreams Money Can Buy” and “Trust Issues” or high-powered collaborations like Future’s “Tony Montana,” Lil Wayne’s “She Will” and DJ Khaled’s inescapable summer smash “I’m On One,” which spent 13 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Rap Songs charts.
Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC!
“Try to imagine what radio would sound like this past year if you removed Drake from the equation,” said Rebecca Thomas, MTV News editor/writer, issuing a challenge.
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 for Take 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.
Rahman Dukes, MTV News’ director of hip-hop news, answered the call: “You wouldn’t even know that he didn’t have an album out [early last year] because he was all over the radio.”
Drake’s dominance is well-documented, from SoundScan success to extraordinarily extensive radio play. As an artist, the Young Money standout blends R&B melody and alternative sensibilities with an MC’s bravado. While still spitting bars with some of the game’s most highly regarded lyricists, his emotive writing style made it acceptable for rappers to dish out their feelings (though Common might disagree).
Still, while the Toronto rapper meets all of the criteria to be considered hot, some members of the Hip-Hop Brain Trust wondered whether his penchant for singing was a strike against him in competition with purebred MCs? After all, Take Care was equal parts rap and R&B.
“In this debate, he loses points for that,” said Rob Markman, MTV News’ senior hip-hop writer, of Drake’s crooning.
It’s doubtful Drake will change, though, nor do fans want him to — his musical duality has been a major selling point. It not only led to his deal with Lil Wayne’s Young Money, it helped launch him to international stardom. Now the whole world knows his name.
Shelia Grullon, music programming coordinator at MTV, put it simply: “I think before he was kinda off of Wayne’s heels and now he just held his own.”
What do you think of our list? Sound off on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” using the hashtag #HottestMC!
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