It’s that time of year again where the hip-hop brain trust at MTV talk about/debate/release MTV’s Hottest MC’s in the Game list. When compiling this list, many factors come into play: lyrics, style, sales, impact, buzz & intangibles — although many people may not agree, Kanye West was unhappy with the list, thus far, and had this to say…
“I couldn’t believe it. I gave Sway his first TV. He came over to my crib in Newark, NJ. I was living in Newark doing beats for Jay and Beans and all them and I was getting a new TV and I gave Sway his first TV. And really I didn’t really wanna even like call to talk about the #7 list, I just wanna tell everybody that I gave Sway his first TV. And he need to remember that.”
This morning on Shade 45′s Sway in the Morning, Sway defends the list, saying…
“We made a master list, then we started debating.” Said Sway. “Not everbody on the table agreed with every number of artist. Whether you average it out or you do the voting. This is where it comes. This is our list. That’s why it’s only people of MTV.”
In response to Kanye’s TV comment, Sway announced that he will be bringing that very TV that Kanye West gave him, to MTV’s Rap Fix Live at 4PM EST. on MTV Jams and RapFix.MTV.com.
“There’s a lot about this story that Kanye West did not reveal. I’m gonna talk about the story of my first tv courtesy of Kanye West.”
Set your alarm for 4pm EST and catch Sway on MTV Rap Fix with special guests Lil’ Kim, Talib Kweli, and special co-host, Kanye’s TV.
that must have been back when kanyes was at least still a little in touch with his real self before he sold his sole for big booty fame whores and snobby high fashion. shit changes.
When this arrogant bastards wake up call or that infamous “NiggaTap” on the shoulder comes, I want to see it. I absolutely take no pleasure in watching celebrities fall. It never fed my ego nor self-esteem, but Koonye? Mr ‘Gold Digger’ who impregnated the #1 digger? I will watch and smile.
How dare he disrespect Sway like that. Man never offends nor disrespects anyone and you come at him like this? I’m more angry at Sway and Co. for placing this wack ass dude #7 in the first place.
I feel you! I too am anxious to see the decline and fall of K. West. $20 says once the public stops feeling him and him becomes irrelevant that he puts the gun to his head and blows his own brains out!
“I gave him his first TV and he needs to remember that” (KW)
Each year I can count on this list to spark controversy and debates that last for hours on end. What I never expected was the comment from Mr. West! What in the hell does a TV have to do with your place on this list? We have opinions and not everyone is going to agree, but for someone with some much success and raw talent to make a statement like that is just tasteless! I havent heard the story from your side Sway on how/why he actually gave you the TV, but the details to me at this point dont even matter!
When you help someone or give someone something, you are supposed to do it selflessly… or not at all! There is nothing worse than someone taking what is supposed to be a selfless act and acting like you now “owe them” because of it!
I am disappointed in fact the Kanye even thought it was relevant to bring up something that happened so long ago just because he felt he was not rated correctly. His rants and sidebar comments are becoming tiring… For someone on the road to parent hood he really needs to grow the fuck up!
KW is offically a member of what Heather B. has classified as the “NIGGERATTI” and for this comment … HE needs to have several seats! ——–>
Karma, I was going to comment, but after reading yours…there is no need at all.
Well said,
C.
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I’m (probably) from the same era as JR above and understand where he’s coming from with his overall point but Beastie Boys “spoke intimately about what was going on in the street”? Really?? And if you’re not counting 3-Stacks, Scarface and Snoop as Golden Age MCs then your premise, as much as I respect it, is really suspect. And then what about the T.I.s and Eminems who definitely did not come out in the Golden Age but whose spit game is sick too? This can get complicated very quickly….
I give @Stellaskid some leeway with his/her point about Beastie Boys. But, yes, I put them in that category because they spoke to their influences and their reactions as privileged white cats during that era – therefore, their voice was from the streets of NYC as well. Scarface is from the Golden era. 3-Stacks and Snoop were not. Overall, the point I will continue to make is that the discourse of hottest MCs in the game is itself a huge misnomer because, lets keep this really REAL (with Beastie Boys too! lol) is that if we are talking about the true meaning of MC-ing, then no artist who came out after 1990 should be on that list. Now if you want to talk about great RAPPERS or LYRICISTS, then we can include everyone else since then. The Golden era was golden specifically because the music was closely tied to the streets. Since the Boom Bap era of the early 90s, Hip Hop was commercial by then. Snoop came out during that era. Checkmate.
Gay boys
Sway, you told that story of the TV when Kim Kardashian was on your show. The TV was in Kayne’s sink, he didn’t want it
Im not an old school purist but lets keep it real – all of the best rappers came out during Hip Hop’s Golden Age. There are a few exceptions like Pac, Jay Z and B.I.G. All of the best rappers had street verve which was tied in what was going on in the street and the social transformation of gains in the Black and Hispanic communities during the 1970s and 80s. Relative contemporary talent like Kanye and ASAP Rocky are not products of those times and their work, like many current talent, although very talent, will be always derivative and not products of social transformation. Rakim, Run DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Lord Finesse – artists like them spoke intimately about what was going on in the street and there was an immediacy and potency. You carried the lyrics and music in your blood. Today’s generation does not carry the music with them in the same way and its not a bad thing, its just the way it is. There should be a few lists of best rappers – Golden Era, 90s, New Millennia. Then everyone would be judged on their true artistic and historical merits.