hire entertainers: Roscoe Dash Brings The 'Awesome' To Hottest Breakthrough Race

Atlanta MC builds on 'All the Way Turnt Up' momentum to land a spot on our list — vote now!
By Steven Roberts

Roscoe Dash
Photo: Getty Images/ MTV News

It's hard to believe Roscoe Dash has yet to put out an album.

"All the Way Turnt Up" was such a big record last year that hip-hop fans didn't even think it was his. With Dash being a relative unknown — even within Atlanta's unique hip-hop scene — people thought the record was by 2010 Hottest Breakthrough MC nominees Travis Porter. But once that was cleared up, everyone from Lil Wayne to Lupe Fiasco was ready to spit over the beat.

Dash's next single, "Show Out," was a solid effort, but it wasn't nearly as successful as "Turnt Up." It looked like Dash might've succumbed to one-hit wonder status. But then Roscoe turned up (get it?) on one of 2010's most overlooked songs, Waka Flocka Flame's "No Hands." The song cemented Flocka as a viable mainstream artist, lent Wale a much-needed lifeline and established a market for Mr. R-O-S-C-O-E as a hook man — and helped land him on MTV News' 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs list.

Dash's raspy drawl would appear on DJ Drama's "Oh My" with Fabulous and Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean's "Marvin and Chardonnay" with Kanye West. These songs have helped bring about a second wave of interest in Dash. He recently dropped the videos for "Awesome" and "Good, Good Night." Both songs are featured on his EP, J.U.I.C.E (Just Understand I Control Everything), which is set to drop later on this month.

"Music is something I just never stopped doing, especially in high school," Dash told MTV News. "I remember staying up burning CDs one by one every night until I had, like, 300 CDs, stuffing them in a backpack and going to school the next day, passing them out.

"The biggest lesson that I've learned coming up is that your fans are going to be the most important people that you come in contact with," he added. "They're going to life you up whenever you don't have the hottest song. They're just going to rock with you for you."

Hottest Breakthrough MCs was established by MTV News in 2010 as a fan-driven initiative that spotlights, celebrates and cultivates new talent. MTV News chose a pool of young rappers and urged fans to vote for their favorite. When it was all said and done, Wiz Khalifa emerged as the Hottest Breakthrough of last year. The competition was tough, but the Taylor Gang General beat out runner-up Nicki Minaj, ATL group Travis Porter, Diggy Simmons and J. Cole. This year, you can vote for Roscoe (or your favorite up-and-comer) over at RapFix.MTV.com, and be sure to check back for daily updates and poll results.

Each day, we'll spotlight a new Hottest Breakthrough MC before we conclude Tuesday (December 13) when the polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will be revealed during Wednesday's "RapFix Live," during which the winner will appear as our in-studio guest. There will also be a special announcement about MTV News' upcoming Hottest MCs in the Game list and debate.

To be considered a Hottest Breakthrough MC, an artist cannot have released a major-label full-length album. Finalists from 2010's Hottest Breakthrough MCs poll will not be eligible for 2011 consideration, so unfortunately, Diggy Simmons and Travis Porter won't be part of this conversation.

Who do you think should be 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC? Share your picks in the comments!

Stick with MTV News as we profile the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs before announcing the winner Wednesday on "RapFix Live" — vote now!

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