MTV’s #10 Hottest MC in the Game: Raekwon (Video)

Why He’s Hot: They’ve got him behind the pot again! Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon the Chef came back to cook up one of the most potent offerings of 2009 with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, which is the hottest album in the streets right now. And no, the Brain Trust isn’t just overcome with nostalgia — the conceptual Cuban Linx II picks up where its timeless predecessor left off a decade and a half ago. Rae articulates his calm anger and heavy-handed, at times unmerciful underworld regulation with a compellingly clear yet callous delivery. Production-wise, he went for the best: RZA, Dr. Dre, the late J Dilla.

Co-Signer: Rick Ross “The Chef is tireless,” Ross said. “He cooked up arguably one of the top 10 albums of all time, not to mention, he was the anchorman to make one of the biggest movements to ever hit the game of hip-hop: the Wu-Tang Clan. I heard [Cuban Linx II], I went through it. He’s still got lyrics. That lets you know it’s all natural. I happen to be on one of Rae’s last albums — just to hear him keep going and see how the streets have embraced him lets you know he’s one of the last of the pure lyricists left. When you see him in the streets, you feel New York, he’s got that sh– on his breath. Being a down South dude, when I see a n—a like Rae, them pure artists, them pure legends, they command that other level of respect.”

READ: Raekwon Is The #10 Hottest MC In The Game!