Lil Wayne Pleased To Be Named Hottest MC

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

On Sunday (July 29th), Lil Wayne learned that he topped MTV2's list of the Hottest MCs in the Game. The rapper told MTV.com, "I saw the preview (of the show), and if I'm lying, I'm flying: I was like, 'Who won?'... I'm glad I won. Yaaa dig! Don't stop believing in me. They say I'm the Hottest MC in the Game. If you label me that, I will live up to it. Trust me."

Wayne also explained how he developed his style. The rapper said, "Man, when everybody was gone. Everybody had left (Cash Money Records), (I) had studio time. I walk in there, just me and the engineer with beats. That's how you gotta find yourself. 'Cause I know I can't do a song like "Back That Azz Up." That's (Juvenile's) style. I can't do no "Cash Money Millionaire," that's Baby. ... What can I do for me? "Straight off the block" (a verse from "Tha Block Is Hot"). That's how."

The rapper added, "I found myself at 14, though. My first solo album, (Tha Block Is Hot,) I was 14. Fortunately. ... You gotta find yourself in life, period. Once you know who you are, man ... I always tell people the only thing that makes my raps good is 'cause I rap about what I am. I got "reality rap." I already tested it, man, my truth is so damn good, why would I ever lie? This is my real truth. (When) I leave (this interview), you can follow me with a camera; I do whatever I want."

Lil Wayne plans to release his new album, Tha Carter, Vol. 3, next year. The rapper recently released a mixtape, Da Drought 3.