Tune in to MTV2's 'Week In Jams' on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET when MTV's Hip-Hop Brain Trust kicks off the debate and reveals #10 and #9.

The temperature's rising, which can only mean one thing: MTV is gearing up for "Hottest MCs in the Game VIII." In 2012, Rick Ross took the crown, but beginning on Sunday, March 3, on MTV2's "The Week in Jams," our Hip-Hop Brain Trust will come together to debate and rank the past year's 10 best spitters in the game.

The roundtable discussion kicks off on "TWIJ" at 11 a.m. ET with the first round of reveals and it continues every day leading up to the #1 reveal on the "Hottest MCs in the Game VIII" special set to premiere on Thursday, March 7, at 10 p.m. ET on MTV Jams. Check back daily on Hottest.MTV.com for up-to-the-minute updates.

With criteria based on an MC's impact, buzz, sales, lyrics, style and those intangible qualities that make an artist special, the Brain Trust debated top-tier rap talent. Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne have all, at one time, held the top honor. This year, acts like 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, and Ross are among the rappers in contention.

MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway will moderate the panel, beginning with the announcement of the #10 and #9 and Hottest MCs in the Game on MTV2's "Week in Jams" on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET (repeats at 11 p.m. ET). On Monday (March 4) and Tuesday (March 5) #8 through #5 will be revealed online on Hottest.MTV.com. The #4 and #3 Hottest MCs will be unveiled during a special "RapFix Live" on Wednesday (March 6) at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com and the MTV Jams channel.

The competition will really heat up March 7 when the top two picks are revealed and go head to head for the title of Hottest MC in the Game. Stay tuned and don't forget to hit us using the hashtag #HottestMC.