In what was probably EMERGE's most anticipated new series premiere this month (until 24 starts again at least), VH1 kicked off their latest collaboration with Ego Trip last night with the Ego Trip's (White) Rapper Show. Co-hosted by late-80s rap legend MC Serch and ultra-mega-iconic hip hop producer Prince Paul, the show is controversial in these racially divisive times from the name on through to the premise.

Many a message board and blog has been chattering about this show and scandals (real and potential) for months now, with everyone from industry observers, journalists, and castmembers chiming in.

The most interesting of these debates has been around since last fall, stewing on the internets waiting for the show to air so we all could have some context. The debate between show host Serch and indie emcee Sage Francis can be read here, on the blog of veteran hip-hop scene commentator Davey D.

Now that the show has aired and you can get a feel for the intelligence and goofiness behind the Ego Trip sensibility in action, the whole fracas seems case of sour grapes- or at least a little dumb- especially since Serch's bonafides are beyond repute (he launched the career of one of hip-hop's finest lyricists, Nas) and Francis is an established if only moderately successful or respected figure in independent hip-hop. But the bust up once again illustrates that despite hip-hop's decade-plus domination of popular culture, it still manages to evoke incredible passion from its devotees and practitioners. Like KRS ONE said, "rap is something you do/hip-hop is something you live."

If the debate doesn't make you curious to check out the show, hopefully some of the clips and interactive features here will pique your interest. It's damn funny and sickly fascinating television.

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