Take a look back at what happened to Lil Wayne, Guru, Nicki Minaj and other rap stars in the past 12 months.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Lil Wayne
Photo: John Parra/ WireImage
In 2010, the biggest stories in hip-hop imbued the community with collective cheers (as new stars like Drake and Nicki Minaj began to break out) and sobs (as Guru passed and T.I. returned to prison). There were also stories we'll probably still remember years from now, like when Eminem and Jay-Z joined forces in their hometown ballparks or when Weezy was freed from Rikers. Here, MTV News takes a look at the top 10 hip-hop stories of the year.
"B.M.F." Bawses
Rick Ross' industrial-strength anthem was hip-hop's biggest street record of the year and transformed the Miami MC from punching bag to Teflon Don following his feud with 50 Cent. His textured voice delivered a series of massively catchy lines ("I think I'm Big Meech!"), while 2010's breakout producer Lex Luger laced the track with a concrete-hard instrumental. "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" served as the soundtrack to the summer, and rappers like Lupe Fiasco ("Building Minds Faster"), Sheek Louch ("The Real New York") and Jermaine Dupri ("I Think I'm Berry Gordy") all took the beat for a spin.
Drake Debuts
Heading into 2010, the Toronto lyricist was still riding high from his breakout mixtape, 2009's So Far Gone, and expectations were adding up like late charges. But the Lil Wayne protégé handled the pressure like Mike Vick in the fourth quarter: calm, composed and cool. His first official LP, Thank Me Later, featured the hits "Over," "Find Your Love" and "Fancy" and easily found its way onto many year-end best lists, while Drake took his act on the road for a series of buzzed-about tours that included surprise guests (Jay-Z, Eminem, J.Cole, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant) that would make for a good career, let alone 12 months.
Eminem Recovers
After a rocky return with 2009's Relapse, Em went back to the studio for Recovery. This time, however, with a series of new collaborators (Rihanna, Just Blaze, Alex Da Kid, DJ Khalil) that reinvigorated the Detroit MC. The result: two soaring #1 hits ("Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie" ) and a nod as MTV News' Hottest MC in the Game. Expect some spillover for the potty-mouth wordsmith as he's up for a leading 10 Grammys at the 2011 ceremony.
Weezy Was Freed
Lil Wayne's folklore grew by Incredible Hulk-size leaps and bounds over the past 12 months, beginning with a series of events leading up to the New Orleans rapper turning himself in to serve 10 months in a New York prison. After being granted a temporary reprieve when a fire at the courthouse delayed his sentencing, he stunned a Madison Square Garden audience in March when he joined Young Jeezy onstage during his set on Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 Tour. While behind bars, he released a full-length album, I Am Not a Human Being, which debuted at #1. Then, following his release in November, Wayne traveled to Las Vegas to join Drake on the last stop of his Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour, where he turned the Sin City crowd into LeBron James-level witnesses.
G.O.O.D. Fridays Deliver
Kanye West made it his personal duty to deliver a new song to the Web via his blog every Friday from September through December, and the producer galvanized the hip-hop community with a series of dazzling numbers. Every seven (sometimes eight) days, 'Ye dropped songs that were album quality but with the intensity of mixtape material. The payoff came when he took the tracks and spun them over into elongated and elaborate records that powered his stunning My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Guru Passes
The underground icon passed away earlier this year, spurring a cloud of controversy as his business partner Solar and the rapper's family feuded over details surrounding Guru's death. The sudden fall of the beloved star left fans in shock. But DJ Premier and Guru's nephew led a spirited charge to channel the rapper's legacy and the indelible mark he left on music as a part of Gang Starr and through his Jazzmatazz series.
"Home and Home" Triumphs
Jay-Z and Eminem scored on this mini tour as they traded massive headlining gigs in their hometowns, two shows in Detroit and another two in New York City. Eminem raised the stakes on the first two stops in Comerica Park by bringing out Dr. Dre, Drake and 50 Cent. Hov, however, was not one to be outdone and turned Yankee Stadium into an All-Star Game with a lineup that included Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Nicki Minaj.
Nicki Minaj Ascends
In the past, decorated MCs like Busta Rhymes and Ludacris battled for the crowd as they joined an array of artists in collaboration on their tracks. This year, though, Nicki Minaj was on most people's speed dial. The upstart artist took the throne from the boys as the guest star on a series of tracks by big names from Mariah Carey to Kanye West. She's a monster, indeed.
"Runaway" Soars
Kanye West returned from his self-imposed exile with the driving "Power," but it was during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and later with the premiere of the "Runaway" video, that the embattled MC made the true inroads to his comeback. The allegorical number featured West's sweeping production and Pusha T's sharp-elbowed punch lines. 'Ye's self-deprecating rhymes, though, humanized the superstar and brought the attention to his amazing skill as an arranger; not to mention, it spotlighted his devilish charm despite his ornery ways.
T.I. Returns to Prison
The Atlanta MC inspired plenty of people last year during his TV series, "T.I.'s Road to Redemption." His hard-luck story, however, turned into steel when he was arrested yet again, for drugs, following his release from a halfway house earlier this year. This time, though, he admitted a dependency problem and begged a judge for leniency, T.I. was sent back to prison to serve 11 months for probation violation. His recent album, No Mercy, showcases the rapper at his most introspective as he looks for his life's answers.
What do you think was the biggest hip-hop story of 2010? Share it in the comments.
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