Waka Flocka Flame 'Never' Thought He'd Make Hottest MCs List

Few announcements for MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game list have been as controversial as Wednesday's (October 20) #8 rapper Waka Flocka Flame. The Queens-born, Atlanta-bred MC may not be the most lyrical, as he's admitted himself, but no one can deny his power in the club.

We caught up with the rapper on his way to perform at Maryland's Morgan State University just after he'd learned his rank on the Hottest MCs list via @MTVRapFix.

"I just looked at it right now in the airport on Twitter, I swear to God," Waka Flocka told via phone.

So what was his reaction to checking in at #8 on one of hip-hop's most coveted lists?

"I was like, got-damn!" Waka said. "Oh, sh--, I made it! Hell yeah, I was [surprised]. Come on, man, I never thought I'd be on something like that. Not yet. It's so soon."

After dropping his mixtape Salute Me or Shoot Me Vol. 1 in January 2009, many were introduced to the energetic rapper through his breakout record "O Let's Do It." The rowdy club track quickly became a fan favorite, and one year later, after he peppered the streets with more mixtapes and a guest verse on "Bingo," from Gucci Mane's 2009 LP, The State vs. Radric Davis, "O Let's Do It" got an official remix featuring Diddy, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane. Then "Hard in Da Paint" took over the clubs in early 2010, followed by "No Hands," featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale, the latter of which sits at #6 on both Billboard's Rap Songs and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

Still, many others didn't think Waka should've made the Hottest MCs list, voicing their displeasure online. But the dreadlocked rapper isn't fazed by his detractors.

"F--- them with they middle finger," he deadpanned. But to his supporters, Waka said he "loves them to death."

The 2010 Hottest MCs in the Game rollout is now under way! As in 2008 and 2009, the criteria is based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow, buzz, commercial success, business ventures, Web presence and cultural influence. Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to Your.MTV.com or send tweets with the hashtag #hottestmcs — the best responses could be on TV or our hip-hop blog, RapFix!

Stay locked in each day as we count down #10 to #6 on our MCs list. Then tune in to MTV2 for the entire one-hour "Hottest MCs in the Game" special on Sunday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m. ET, where we'll reveal who will be crowned 2010's Hottest MC.