Results are in, and Kanye West reigns as the “Hottest MC of the Year” in the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust’s latest roundtable debate. Unlike the previous list of Hottest MCs in the Game which was based on who was hot right then, the new rankings “based on lyrics, flow, impact on the game, success and swagger,” evaluate the entire year of each artist’s performance. You can watch the entire show and read all of the articles.

With Kanye West’s constant and exciting musical innovation and his brilliant, critically acclaimed “Glow in the Dark Tour,” his selection as “Hottest MC of the Year” by no means a surprise and we heartily agree with MTV roundtable’s choice and the rationale:

With all due respect to the Diddys and Busta Rhymeses of the world, Kanye West has surpassed everyone as the best live performer in hip-hop. Grooming himself on stadium tours with Jay-Z, U2 and the Rolling Stones over the years has done him good. Even if West didn’t release another rap this year, he’d still be the hottest for his Glow in the Dark Tour alone. Without exaggeration, it’s the greatest one-man show put on by a hip-hop artist, possibly ever. Pure expression, no irony, just an irrefutable avowal that he is the game’s most imaginative visionary right now. ‘Ye’s sold-out set is an orgy of lights, classic songs and conceptual genius. You’ve never seen anything like it.

Source: ‘Hottest MCs In The Game’: At Last, We Agree With Kanye West — He Is #1

Here is the full list, with links to articles explaining the rationale for each choice.

1) Kanye West
2) Jay-Z
3) Lil Wayne
4) Rick Ross
5) Snoop Dogg
6) 50 Cent
7) Lupe Fiasco
8 ) Young Jeezy
9) Andre 3000
10) T.I.

Here is the program in its entirety.

MTV Names Kanye West Hottest MC of the Year (Video)