breakthrough (3)
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After four weeks and more than 200,000 votes, Wiz Khalifa is MTV News' "Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010," beating out some 19 other candidates in a poll decided by you, the MTVNews.com readers.
The Kush & Orange Juice star won a tough competition, beating other top-5 finalists Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Travis Porter and Diggy Simmons. (Check back on Monday for the official poll results and rankings.)
The announcement was made Sunday (July 25) on MTV2's "Sucker Free Summit."
More than 200,000 votes were tallied, and Wiz's loyal "Taylor Gang" following was out in force, propelling the woozy-flowed rapper into the top spot.
Wiz broke onto the scene more than five years ago with his first mixtape, and his rise has been steady and deliberate, as he's gradually built a strong following and won over peers and DJs alike with his easygoing charm and laid-back rhymes.
"I'm digging Wiz. I'm digging what he's doing, especially coming from a place like Pittsburgh," DJ Drama told MTV News. "It's not necessarily that [Wiz] is a product of his environment, but it's always good to see someone put a city on the map [like Wiz has]."
To recap the rules, this poll was strictly limited to up-and-coming talent: artists could not have released a major-label album by June 21, 2010, or been voted into a previous "Hottest MCs in the Game" top 10, so MCs like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Eminem, Kanye West and even Drake — our #3 Hottest MC last year - and chart-topper B.o.B were not eligible. (We'll have the 2010 "Hottest MCs" rollout later this year.) Voters were asked to base their decisions on the following factors: The MC's musical skill (rhyme ability, flow and songwriting) as well as their buzz on the street and the impact they've had on the game so far.
We'll have lots more from the "Hottest Breakthroughs" in the coming days — thanks to everyone who voted, tweeted and otherwise got involved! And keep an eye out for MTV News' "Hottest MCs in the Game" later this year!
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