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The "Hottest MCs in the Game" is back! It's highly regarded, extremely controversial and bolder than ever. We're proud to announce that starting next Monday (August 17), we'll begin to reveal our list of hip-hop's top 10 kings of 2009 on MTVNews.com. This one is going to be a doozy!

As always, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust has been keeping a close collective eye and ear to the game. We've been watching who's been moving the needle on the culture, who has impacted the game with superior skill, unmatched style and uncannily superior execution with their art and business. It's not just music it's about a movement. The Brain Trust sequestered ourselves and deliberated a ranking, and the results will begin to be revealed next week with the unveiling of the top spot happening on Diddy's "Making His Band" airing August 24 at 10 p.m.

For the MCs who think they belong on the list, ask yourselves the same questions the Brain Trust members ask themselves: Has your heat been sustaining? You can't just be hot in your 'hood or in your region. Does your reach go national and international? Can you set the globe on fire?

Last year, thousands and thousands joined in on the conversation we first sparked in 2007. Last year was Kanye West's time: He took the crown from the champ of two years ago, Lil Wayne. 'Ye killed guest spots such as Young Jeezy's "Put On," and his Graduation was the opus of its time.

In 2009, we want you to put up and definitely not shut up. . Each time we reveal another pick on our list, comment on it. Send e-mails, send video we're going to put lots of it out there. And today, blast off! We want you to start sending in your lists but be sure you're talking about the Hottest MC right now, not of all time (we already gave Jay-Z that trophy a couple of years back). There's a poll below with names of certain Let your frustrations or your props be heardselected MCs: All you have to pick the name you feel is the hottest right now. The results will be tabulated. So get to it!

-- Edited by Dee Dre on Monday 10th of August 2009 06:24:43 PM