This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2002.
Events
April On April 25, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes died in Honduras.
May On May 26, The Eminem Show was released.
June On June 15, Big Mello died.
October On October 30, Jam Master Jay died in New York City.
Released albums Release date Artist Album LabelJanuary 1Boosie BadazzFor My ThugzTrill EntertainmentJanuary 8 Deepspace5 The Night We Called It a Day UpRokJanuary 22KRS-OneSpiritual MindedKoch RecordsSpice 1The Playa Rich Project 2LGB Music GroupX-RaidedDeadly GameJLM EntertainmentJanuary 29 C-Bo Life as a RiderWest Coast Mafia Records, Warlock Records State Property State Property SoundtrackRoc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsFebruary 1Jennifer LopezJ to tha L–O! The RemixesEpic RecordsFebruary 5Aesop RockDaylightDefinitive JuxFebruary 12Heather B.Eternal AffairsSai Records PSD All I Want Gateway EntertainmentFebruary 19Various ArtistsAll About the Benjamins (soundtrack)New Line RecordsFebruary 24SouljahzThe Fault Is HistoryWorld Entertainment, LLC.February 25Deep Puddle Dynamics/AnticonWe Ain't Fessin' (Double Quotes)Anticon February 26 The High & Mighty Air Force 1Eastern Conference Records The X-Ecutioners Built From ScratchLoud Records, Columbia RecordsNappy RootsWatermelon, Chicken & GritzAtlantic Records Aim Hinterland Grand Central Records March 12N.E.R.D.In Search Of... [Second Version]Virgin Records, EMI New Breed Stop the Music UpRok, EMI CMG March 19R. Kelly & Jay-ZThe Best of Both WorldsRoc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings, Jive Records, Rockland RecordsNo Limit RecordsWest Coast Bad Boyz, Vol. 3: Poppin' CollarsNo Limit RecordsRasheedaA Ghetto DreamD-Lo EntertainmentEdanPrimitive PlusLewis RecordingsVarious ArtistsBlade II (soundtrack)Immortal Records March 25The StreetsOriginal Pirate MaterialLocked On Records, 679 RecordingsMarch 26Baha MenMove It Like ThisS-Curve Records, Capitol Records Eazy-E Impact of a LegendRuthless Records, Epic Recordsk-osExitAstralwerks Non Phixion The Future Is NowUncle Howie RecordsYing Yang TwinsAlley: The Return of the Ying Yang TwinsKoch RecordsApril 2Busta RhymesTurn It Up! The Very Best of Busta RhymesWarner Music Group, Rhino RecordsJ-LiveAll of the AboveCoup D'ÉtatApril 5Pezet/NoonMuzyka KlasycznaT1-TerazApril 8O.S.T.R.30 minut z życiaAsfalt RecordsApril 9TwiztidMirror MirrorPsychopathic RecordsSpice 1Hits 3Mobb Status EntertainmentApril 16Sage FrancisPersonal JournalsAnticonApril 23Cee-LoCee-Lo Green and His Perfect ImperfectionsArista RecordsApril 30 Blackalicious Blazing ArrowMCA Records Big Tymers Hood RichCash Money Records, Universal RecordsCount Bass DDwight SpitzHigh TimesC-MurderTru DawgsD3 EntertainmentMay 7Biz MarkieGreatest HitsLandspeed RecordsKastro & E.D.I.Blood BrothersOutlaw RecordzNaughty by NatureIIconsTVT RecordsMay 14Cam'ronCome Home with MeRoc-A-Fella Records, Diplomat Records, Def Jam RecordingsEl-PFantastic DamageDefinitive Jux P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family We Invented the RemixBad Boy Records, Arista Records May 18 Noah23 QuicksandPlague LanguageMay 2150 CentGuess Who's Back?Full Clip RecordsBig SykeStreet Commando Riviera Records Camp Lo Let's Do It Again Dymond Crook Records May 26 Eminem The Eminem ShowShady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records, Web Entertainment May 28Lil' KekeBirds Fly SouthAvericeJune 3Northern StateDying in StereoStartime International, Columbia RecordsJune 4People Under the StairsO.S.T.Om Records Rawkus Records Soundbombing IIIRawkus June 10 Ms. Dynamite A Little DeeperPolydor Records June 11 Atmosphere God Loves UglyRhymesayers Entertainment, Fat Beats RecordsAZAziaticMotown Records Spice 1 Spiceberg SlimHard Tyme Records, Riviera Records Various Artists Love and a Bullet (soundtrack)TVT SoundtraxJune 141200 TechniquesChoose OneRubber Records, Sony RecordsJune 18 Benzino The Benzino Remix Project Elektra Records, ZNO Records Latino Velvet Velvetism 40 Ounce Records Wyclef Jean MasqueradeColumbia Records June 22 Baracuda72 TetragammothPlague LanguageJune 24O.S.T.R.TabaskoAsfalt RecordsJune 25 Cormega The True MeaningLegal Hustle Entertainment N.O.R.E. God's FavoriteThugged Out Entertainment, Def Jam Recordings Nelly NellyvilleUniversal RecordsWill SmithBorn to ReignColumbia Records Mr. Lif Emergency Rations Definitive JuxJuly 2EyedeaThe Many Faces of Oliver Hart or How Eye One the Write Too ThinkRhymesayers EntertainmentNasFrom Illmatic to Stillmatic: The RemixesIll Will Records, Columbia RecordsThe Inc.Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.The Island Def Jam Music Group, Murder Inc. RecordsX-RaidedCity of KingsOut of Bounds RecordsVarious ArtistsLike Mike (soundtrack)So So Def Recordings, Columbia Records, Sony Music SoundtraxJuly 8Roots ManuvaDub Come Save MeBig DadaJuly 9OnyxBacdafucup Part IIKoch RecordsStyles PA Gangster and a GentlemanRuff Ryders, Interscope Records July 16Juicy JChronicles of the Juice ManHypnotize Minds Productions, North North RecordsKJ-52CollaborationsBEC RecordingsVarious ArtistsUnited Ghettos of AmericaSmoke-a-Lot Records, Rap-a-Lot RecordsJuly 23C-BoWest Coast MafiaWest Coast Mafia RecordsJean GraeAttack of the Attacking ThingsThird Earth MusicThe Beatnuts The OriginatorsLandspeedJumpsteady The Chaos TheoryPsychopathic RecordsLil Wayne 500 DegreezCash Money Records Public Enemy RevolverlutionKoch RecordsThirstin Howl IIISkilligan’s IslandLandSpeed RecordsJuly 29Big MelloThe GiftKMJ RecordsJuly 30 Richie Rich Nixon Pryor RoundtreeTen-Six Records Knoc-Turn'al L.A. Confidential presents: Knoc-Turn'al Elektra Records August 6CageMovies for the BlindEastern Conference RecordsProject PatLayin' da Smack DownLoud Records ScarfaceThe FixDef Jam SouthTrick DaddyThug HolidaySlip-N-Slide Records, Atlantic RecordsVarious ArtistsXXX (soundtrack)Universal Records, UMG Soundtracks August 10 Various Artists NBA Livestyle 2003 EA Trax August 13Do or DieBack 2 the GameRap-A-Lot Records, Virgin Records Luniz Silver & BlackRap-A-Lot Records, Virgin Records, Asylum RecordsMary J. BligeDance For MeMCA Records Slum Village Trinity (Past, Present and Future)Capitol Records Doggystyle Records Snoop Dogg Presents... Doggy Style Allstars Vol. 1Doggystyle Records August 20Angie MartinezAnimal HouseElektra RecordsClipseLord Willin'Star Trak Entertainment, Jive Records Tray Deee The General's ListEmpire Music Werks Various Artists Dexter's Laboratory: The Hip-Hop ExperimentKid Rhino/Atlantic RecordsAugust 27 Devin the Dude Just Tryin' ta LiveRap-a-Lot Records Eve Eve-OlutionRuff Ryders Entertainment, Interscope RecordsGRITSThe Art of TranslationGotee RecordsKRS-OneThe Mix TapeKoch Records Lil Flip Undaground LegendSucka Free, Loud Records, Columbia Records N.W.A. The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 2 Ruthless Records, Priority Records Promatic PromaticKoch RecordsTrinaDiamond PrincessSlip-n-Slide Records, Atlantic Records Uncle Kracker No Stranger to Shame Lava Records Various Artists Barbershop (soundtrack) Sony Music SoundtraxSeptember 3Lil RobThe AlbumUpstairs RecordsVarious ArtistsPeanut Butter Wolf's Jukebox 45's Stones Throw RecordsSeptember 9OutlandishBread & Barrels of WaterRCA Records, Sony BMG Music EntertainmentJehstThe Return of the DrifterLow Life RecordsSeptember 10 Heavy D & The Boyz 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Heavy D & The BoyzMCA Records Shade Sheist Informal IntroductionMCA Records Various Artists Golden Grain Disturbing tha Peace Tech N9ne Absolute Power Strange Music September 12 DJ Jazzy Jeff The MagnificentBBE RecordsSeptember 16 Boom Bip Seed to SunLex Records Themselves ThemAnticonSeptember 17 Mr. Lif I PhantomDefinitive Jux Scapegoat Wax SWAX Hollywood Records September 23 DJ Vadim U.S.S.R. The Art of Listening Ninja TuneSeptember 24 Nas The Lost TapesIll Will Records, Columbia RecordsUGKSide HustlesJive RecordsVarious ArtistsBrown Sugar (soundtrack)MCA RecordsSeptember 25PaktofonikaArchiwum kinematografiiGigant RecordsOctober 1Daz DillingerTo Live and Die in CAD.P.G. RecordzXzibitMan vs. MachineOpen Bar Entertainment, Loud Records, Columbia Records7L & EsotericWarning: Dangerous ExclusivesBrick RecordsOctober 7K-GeeBounce to ThisInstant KarmaOctober 8Boot Camp ClikThe Chosen FewDuck Down MusicJurassic 5Power in NumbersInterscope RecordsKrumb SnatchaRespect All Fear None D&D RecordsLarge Professor1st ClassMatador RecordsTelaDouble DoseRap-a-Lot RecordsUTPThe CompilationOrpheus Records7L & EsotericDangerous ConnectionBrick RecordsOctober 10Young BuckBorn to Be a ThugUTP Records, Thug EntertainmentOctober 15CoolioEl Cool MagnificoRiviera RecordsDa Heabussaz (Three 6 Mafia & Fiend)Dat's How It Happen to'MHypnotize Minds Productions, Fiend EntertainmentLL Cool J10Def Jam RecordingsSupastition7 Years of Bad LuckFreshchest RecordsOctober 21Bushido & FlerCarlo Cokxxx NuttenAggro Berlin October 22Big SykeBig SykeRideOnUm Records, Rap-A-Lot RecordsJay TeeHigh Caliber40 Ounce RecordsJel10 SecondsMush RecordsLL Cool J20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of LL Cool JUniversal Music Group, Def Jam Recordings Field Mob From tha Roota to tha Toota MCA RecordsScarfaceGreatest Hits (Scarface album)Rap-A-Lot Records, Virgin RecordsVarious ArtistsPaid in Full (soundtrack)Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsOctober 28WWOWe własnej osobieProstoWe Własnej Osobie by W Wyjątkowych Okolicznościach on Apple MusicOctober 29Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyThug World OrderRuthless RecordsDaz DillingerWho Ride wit Us: Tha Compalation, Vol. 2D.P.G. RecordzJungle BrothersAll That We DoJungle Brothers Records Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz Kings of CrunkBME Recordings, TVT RecordsPennyThe Clockforth MovementPlague Language Various Artists8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion PictureShady Records, Interscope Records November 5Insane Clown PosseThe Wraith: Shangri-LaPsychopathic RecordsMs. JadeGirl InterruptedBeat Club, Interscope RecordsMurder Inc.Irv Gotti Presents: The RemixesSoul-Junk1957November 9Sev StatikSpeak LifeUpRock, EMI CMG November 11 Felt Felt: A Tribute to Christina RicciRhymesayers Entertainment November 12Indo GContactBlackhouse Entertainment Jay-Z The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The CurseRoc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings Fat Joe LoyaltyTerror Squad Productions, Atlantic Records Missy Elliott Under ConstructionThe Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records Swollen Members Monsters in the ClosetBattle Axe RecordsWCGhetto HeismanDef Jam Recordings November 19C-BoDesert EagleWarlock RecordsCanibusMic Club: The CurriculumMic Club Music Erick Sermon ReactJ RecordsJa RuleThe Last TemptationMurder Inc Records, Def Jam RecordingsTalib KweliQualityRawkus Records, MCA RecordsVarious ArtistsFriday After Next (soundtrack)Hollywood RecordsNovember 22Fettes BrotAmnesie'Yo Mama's Recording November 262PacBetter DayzAmaru Entertainment, Death Row RecordsBirdmanBirdmanCash Money RecordsBusta RhymesIt Ain't Safe No More...Flipmode Records, J RecordsRoyce da 5'9"Rock CityColumbia Records, E1 Music, Game RecordingsSnoop DoggPaid tha Cost to Be da BossDoggystyle Records, Priority Records, Capitol RecordsThe RootsPhrenologyGeffen Records, MCA RecordsWill SmithGreatest HitsColumbia RecordsKool G RapThe Giancana StoryKoch Records Nighthawks (Cage & Camu Tao) NighthawksEastern Conference Records November 29 Geto Boys Greatest HitsRap-A-Lot RecordsDecember 10 Common Electric CircusMCA RecordsProofElectric Cool-Aid: Acid TestingIron Fist Records504 BoyzBallersThe New No Limit Records, Universal RecordsSwizz BeatzSwizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories Interscope Records, DreamWorks Records, Full Surface Records GZA Legend of the Liquid Sword MCA Records, Universal Records Various Artists Drumline (soundtrack) Jive Records Various Artists The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6 Image Entertainment December 13 Nas God's SonIll Will Records, Columbia Records December 17Indo GChristmas N' MemphisBig Face Lil' Romeo Game TimeThe New No Limit Records, Universal Records Spice 1Thug DiseaseRap Classics
Highest-charting singles