S. Samuel
Despite public backlash courtesy of Kanye West and A$AP Rocky, West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar has spoken up for MTV's much-debated "Hottest MCs in the Game" Top 10 list.
In Kendrick’s perspective, the debates on where artists should be placed on the chart are healthy for the rap game.
“It’s very important for hip-hop,” the Compton MC told Rap-Up TV on set of T.I.‘s video for “Memories Back Then.” “I love that they have debates like that. We need that. It’s competitive. Even though we doing these collaborations and stuff like that and we cool, at the same time, this is still rap. It’s still competitive and I’m trying to compete with everybody to be the best.” He embraces the debate. “When people feel like they need to make their comments, I feel that’s needed,” said K-Dot. “You’re supposed to feel like you’re the best ’cause if you don’t, you gon’ get stepped on ’cause it’s a jungle out there.” (Rap-Up)
Although he landed a spot at number seven, elusive rapper Kanye West blasted the list earlier this week.
However, when it came to his spot on the list, Kanye said, “I feel like in order for them to put me at #7, they had to bring up things they didn’t like — like the Cruel Summer album.” He then suggested that his critics prefer the backpack-and-polo-era Kanye over his current career choices. “They don’t like Givenchy Kanye, they don’t like Kanye in a kilt, they don’t like Kanye in a relationship.” Kanye also boasted about the bar in “Cold” in which he raps about Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband, Kris Humphries. “I said, ‘Lucky I ain’t have Jay drop him from the team’ — ain’t no bar of the entire past 12 months hotter than that one bar.” (Consequence of Sound)
Much like Yeezy, A$AP Rocky went on a tirade against MTV’s decision to place him anywhere but number one.
“All my videos are sh*tting on any hip-hop video out there. Let’s be honest. The reason why everybody is wearing gold again is because of your boy,” Rocky said in an interview. “Everybody’s wearing diamonds. I’m the one who made the John Lennon shades with the glasses. Everybody wearing it now, you see what’s going on now. Come on, who brought gold teeth back? Let’s be honest. Honestly, I brought it back in a dramatic way. I made braids hot. Let’s get off trends.” (LA Leakers)
The official countdown started a few days ago and continues through this week.
It all begins Sunday, when MCs #10 and #9 will be revealed on MTV2’s “The Week in Jams” at 11 a.m. ET. On Monday and Tuesday, #8 through #5 will be revealed online at Hottest.MTV.com. The #4 and #3 Hottest MCs will be unveiled during a special “RapFix Live” on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV Jams and MTV.com. The #2 and #1 MCs will duke it out next Thursday (March 7) during our “Hottest MCs in the Game VIII” special at 10 p.m. ET on MTV Jams. (MTV)
Check out Kendrick Lamar’s interview:
