MTV explains why they left Eminem out of their 'Hottest MC's in the Game' list

October 8, 6:52 PMNY Hip-Hop Music ExaminerSamantha Greaves

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MTV says Eminem did not meet the criteria. (Photo: Interscope)

From the start of the week, Hip-Hop fans have been left baffled by "MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. The List named Jay-Z the hottest MC with Kanye West, Drake, and Lil Wayne following up close behind. Since the banter has failed to subside, MTV has taken the time out to address their decision.

Some have said that MTV lost points for their effort in determining who is hot and who is not. Though many have agreed with MTV’s decision to dub Jay-Z the hottest MC, people just cannot seem to understand why Eminem did not at least make the top 10.

Eminem is known as one of the most influential lyrical figures in Hip-Hop. If it wasn’t made clear by his verse in “Forever” that most would agree shined the most compared to the other artist on the single, his track record for shelling out memorable albums might just do the trick.

Even Jay-Z has gone on record to denounce the list expressing his discontent in a letter to MTV saying, Eminem?!?! I think you do the credibility of this list a disservice if you don't thoroughly explain his omission," Jay continued. "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 .“

Feeling the pressure, MTV wrote an article breaking down the determining factors that constituted a hot MC at the moment. In the article, MTV writer Shaheem Reid explained that the list was created entirely by a group of passionate and opinionated debaters who are well versed in Hip-Hop and the artists that represent the genre. He further elaborated that the list is not the be-all and end-all, but more so a list compiled to reflect the now.

The criterion was based off of six elements: mic skills, buzz, commercial success (sales and airplay), business ventures, Web presence, and impact.

Eminem’s exclusion was based on the fact that the rapper spent most of the summer working on his album Relapse 2. As a result of this, he has been out of the public eye with brief appearances occurring at the MTV Movie and Video Music Awards and his appearance on Drake’s “Forever."

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. -MTV

In personal opinion, these types of lists will always evoke some sort of discontent among fans. The content is broad along with the title and this makes any form of ranked Hip-Hop list controversial.

Though the explanation given makes sense, it still does not do the job of justifying Eminem’s absence. If the six elements in the criteria serve correctly, isn't it safe to say that Eminem meets all of them?