VIBE.com has released the outcome of their fan-driven poll of "The Best Rapper Alive," and after nearly a million votes the fans have spoken -- Eminem reigns supreme.

While many may have thought Lil Wayne would have topped the list, he didn't make it to the top two. It was Eminem who was crowned the globe's top MC in a tournament-style contest.

Rappers like Kanye West, Rick Ross, Nas and T.I. were given brackets, similar to the NCAA basketball teams during March Madness. Beginning in July, fans began voting on head-to-head matchups, with MC's being eliminated gradually until Jay-Z and Eminem were the only ones left.

Slim Shady won with 69 percent of the votes in the finals. VIBE said that more than 920,000 votes were cast since July.

"It's obviously an honor to have won the fans' support by being voted 'The Best Rapper Alive'," Eminem said in response to his victory. "I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things, and at what they do. But since VIBE's offering the distinction, hell yeah I'll accept!"

Some of the surprising upsets in the tourney were when Andre was defeated by no. 3 seed The Game, and Lil Wayne lost to Ludacris.

"VIBE is thrilled we could put the debate about 'The Best Rapper Alive' in the hands of the fans," VIBE music editor, Sean Fennessey, said. "Eminem isn't just one of the most successful MC's of all time, he's also one of the most beloved. The proof is in the voting."

The win will be revealed in the mag's upcoming November issue, where Barack Obama will grace the cover.

Source: BallerStatus.com

When's the Em album coming out?

Im glad Lil Wayne got dropped off the list, he was never worthy of best rapper alive in my opinion. 'Em is a genius with lyrics, although im sure him topping the list will cause more controversy. Ive always rated Ludacris higher than Lil Wayne and its about time that got recognised. But i agree with what 'Em quoted, there is no best rapper alive. There's too much variety out there to single out one rapper.

Pe3ce

Andre should have won this

This whole thing is a joke.

I don't think Eminem is the best rapper alive. I do think Dr. Dre, Nas drop better track than him.

Someone who rap about homosexual, killing his baby mama could be the best rapper.

Tupac is still alive, how can Em be the best rapper? even Eminem thinks Tupac has moved to Cuba, lol

eminem doesnt get as much cerdit as he deserves

hes a great rapper and people dont always see that

hes one of the best rappers alive

tupac probally is still alive all the hints are there but i think tupac was average anyway the main time he got surpport is wen people thought he was dead!!!!

go for eminem hes the best rapper alive in my eyes!

it was good he says that u cant sing out the best rapper to because that is kind off true every rapper got different skills and styles!

u suck eminems dick u pussy !!!

for a start vibe magazine focuses on mainstream rap like the big names... eminem, ice cube, ti and jay-z are massive names... nas has recently emerged into mainstream with his last few albums

it dosent focus on rappers that deserve recognition such as immortal technique, canibus, ras kass, and future west coast star crooked i... i dont no how the eminam fan above cant notice that eminems rapping ability is limited... and always has been... hes lost his flow and pace in the past few years and almost EVERYONE has noticed it... people need to wake up and stop living in the past

Below i have the knockout brackets so you can see who was up against who:

i remember crooked i did a freestyle over kanye's "stronger".

is there a way to download the freestyles submitted by the other artists?
would appreciate it if someone could find them.

thanks.

The Best Rapper Alive: The Notorious B.I.G. Bracket | VIBE.com

The Best Rapper Alive: Pimp C Bracket | VIBE.com

The Best Rapper Alive: 2Pac Bracket | VIBE.com

The Best Rapper Alive: Big Punisher Bracket | VIBE.com

The Best Rapper Alive: Finals | VIBE.com