This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2003.
Events January On January 24, Brazilian rapper Sabotage was murdered in São Paulo.
May On May 19, Camoflauge was murdered in Savannah, Georgia.
October On October 24, Half a Mill committed suicide in Brooklyn, New York City.
November On November 26, Soulja Slim was murdered in Gentilly, New Orleans.
Released albums Release Date Artist Album Label January 7 40 Glocc The Jakal Zoo Life Entertainment January 13 Sole Selling Live Water Anticon January 14 Benzino Redemption Elektra Records, ZNO RecordsJanuary 28ChoppaChoppa StyleTake Fo' RecordsDMGBlack RouletteRap-a-Lot RecordsZug IzlandCracked TilesPsychopathic Records February 6 50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin'Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, Interscope RecordsFebruary 11DJ EnvyThe Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1Desert Storm RecordsVarious ArtistsCollect Dis EditionDuck Down MusicFebruary 18 Monsta Island Czars Escape from Monsta Island!Metal Face Records Various Artists Cradle 2 the Grave (soundtrack)Bloodline Records, Def Jam Recordings Zion I Deep Water Slang V2.0Raptivism Records Dooley-O Watch My Moves 1990 Solid Records February 25 Freeway Philadelphia FreewayRoc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings J Dilla Ruff Draft Mummy Records The Majesticons Beauty Party Big Dada MURS ...The End of the BeginningDefinitive JuxFebruary 28Mr. DibbsThe 30th SongRhymesayers EntertainmentMarch 1Messy Marv & MarvalessBonnie and ClydeFrisco Street Show March 4 Choppa Straight from the N.O.The New No Limit Records Universal Records Fabolous Street DreamsDesert Storm Records, Elektra Records Lil' Kim La Bella MafiaQueen Bee Entertainment, Atlantic RecordsLil WyteDoubt Me NowHypnotize Minds ProductionsVarious ArtistsBringing Down the House (soundtrack)Hollywood Records March 11 Beans Tomorrow Right NowWarp RecordsKiller Mike MonsterColumbia Records DJ Muggs DustAnti-Various Artists Dysfunktional Family (soundtrack)Death Row Records, Priority RecordsMarch 18 Magic White EyesThe New No Limit Records Universal Records Mr. Cheeks Back Again!Universal RecordsMarch 25The DiplomatsDiplomatic ImmunityDiplomat Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsThe FugeesGreatest HitsColumbia RecordsTame OneWhen Rappers AttackEastern Conference RecordsApril 1 M.O.P. 10 Years and Gunnin' Columbia RecordsApril 8Anybody KillaHatchet Warrior Psychopathic RecordsJay-ZThe Blueprint 2.1ScarfaceBalls and My WordRap-a-Lot RecordsApril 15Kurtis Blow20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kurtis BlowMercury RecordsVarious ArtistsMalibu's Most Wanted (soundtrack)Universal RecordsApril 27Z-RoZ-Ro ToleranceKmjApril 29Bone CrusherAttenCHUN!So So Def Recordings, Arista RecordsKeith MurrayHe's Keith MurrayDef Jam RecordingsMay 5VakillThe Darkest CloudMolemen RecordsMay 654th PlatoonAll or Nothin'FUBU Records Prince Paul Politics of the BusinessRazor & TieMay 13FiendCan I Burn? 2Fiend EntertainmentMay 20AkrobatikBalanceCoup D'État David BannerMississippi: The AlbumSRC RecordsDJ Kay SlayThe Streetsweeper, Vol. 1Various Artists2 Fast 2 Furious (soundtrack)May 23Diam'sBrut de femmeHostile RecordsMay 27Brother AliShadows on the SunRhymesayers Entertainment June 3 Aceyalone Love & HateProject Blowed, Decon Gold Chains Young Miss America Orko the Sykotik Alien Atoms of Eden Plague Language S.A. Smash Smashy TrashyDefinitive JuxJune 10 C-Bo West Side Ryders West Coast Mafia RecordsJoe BuddenJoe BuddenDef Jam Records Inspectah Deck The Movement Koch Records Mo Thugs The Movement Riviera Records Naughty by Nature Naughty's Nicest Tommy Boy Records, Rhino Entertainment CompanyJune 16 Ugly Duckling Taste the SecretEmperor Norton Records, Rykodisc Why? OaklandazulasylumAnticonJune 17 A Tribe Called Quest Hits, Rarities & RemixesThe Ummah Michael Franti & Spearhead Everyone Deserves MusicBoo Boo Wax, iMusicKing GeedorahTake Me to Your LeaderBig DadaUGKBest of UGKJive Records Nephlim Modulation Systems Woe to Thee O Land Whose King Is a Child Ninja TuneOnry OzzbornThe Grey AreaOne Drop RecordsPMDThe AwakeningSolid Records June 24 Black Eyed Peas ElephunkA&M Records, will.i.am Music Group Gang Starr The OwnerzVirgin Records, EMIKing GordyThe EntityWeb EntertainmentKRS-OneKristylesKoch RecordsJuly 1 Lifesavas Spirit in Stone Quannum Projects Various Artists Totally Hip Hop BMG/Warner Music Group Twiztid The Green Book Psychopathic RecordsJuly 8Slim Thug & Lil' KekeThe Big UnitRap-A-Lot Records Fannypack So StylisticTommy Boy EntertainmentKillah PriestBlack AugustRecon RecordsJuly 15RZAThe World According to RZAChingyJackpotDisturbing Tha PeaceVarious ArtistsBad Boys II (soundtrack)July 21Dizzee RascalBoy in da CornerXL RecordingsJuly 22CanibusRip the JackerMic Club Music, Babygrande RecordsViolent JWizard of the HoodPsychopathic RecordsJuly 23PegzCapricorn CatObese RecordsAugust 12State PropertyThe Chain Gang Vol. 2Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings August 19Bow WowUnleashedColumbia RecordsT.I.Trap MuzikGrand Hustle Records, Atlantic RecordsJuelz SantanaFrom Me to UDiplomat Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsMars IllBackbreakanomicsGotee Records The Neptunes The Neptunes Present... ClonesStar Trak Entertainment, Arista RecordsLil ZaneThe Big Zane TheoryPriority Records, Capitol Music GroupAugust 25HermitudeAlleys to ValleysElefant Traks, Inertia DistributionAugust 26Boo & GottiPerfect TimingCash Money Records, Universal RecordsFrayser BoyGone on That BayHypnotize Minds ProductionsJedi Mind TricksVisions of GandhiBabygrande Records Kool Keith The Lost Masters DMAFT Records Magic On My OwnKoch Records Nappy Roots Wooden LeatherAtlantic RecordsYoungBloodZDrankin' PatnazSo So Def Recordings, Arista RecordsSeptember 2Soul-Junk1958Sounds Are Active, Sounds FamilyreVarious ArtistsSuburban Noize Presents: Sub-Noize RatsSuburban Noize RecordsSeptember 8Mark RonsonHere Comes the FuzzElektra RecordsSeptember 9Danger Mouse & JeminiGhetto Pop LifeLex RecordsE-40Breakin' NewsSick Wid It Records, Jive RecordsSir Mix-a-LotDaddy's HomeRhyme CartelSeptember 11Pięć Dwa DębiecP-ń VIUMC Records September 16 Bubba Sparxxx DeliveranceBeat Club, Interscope RecordsDaara JBoomerangWrasse Records DMX Grand ChampRuff Ryders Entertainment, Def Jam Recordings Semi.Official The Anti-AlbumRhymesayers Entertainment Sheek Louch Walk witt Me D-Block Records, Universal RecordsViktor VaughnVaudeville VillainSound-Ink Records, Traffic Entertainment GroupVarious ArtistsMusic Inspired by ScarfaceDef Jam RecordingsYing Yang TwinsMe & My BrotherTVT RecordsSeptember 22Hilltop HoodsThe CallingObese RecordsThemselvesThemAnticon September 23 Aesop Rock Bazooka ToothDefinitive Jux Atmosphere Seven's TravelsRhymesayers Entertainment, Epitaph Records Baby Bash Tha Smokin' NephewLatium Records, Universal Records Obie Trice CheersShady Records, Interscope Records Outkast Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowLaFace Records, Arista RecordsMurphy LeeMurphy's LawDerrty Entertainment, Universal Music Group Jeru the Damaja Divine Design Ashenafi Records September 29So Solid Crew2nd VerseIndependiente LimitedNon-ProphetsHopeLex Records October 7Black MoonTotal EclipseDuck Down Music Inc.HieroglyphicsFull CircleHieroglyphics Imperium Recordings The High & Mighty The Highlite ZoneEastern Conference RecordsJaylibChampion SoundStones Throw Records Ludacris Chicken-n-BeerDisturbing tha Peace, Def Jam Recordings Lyrics Born Later That DayQuannum ProjectsParisSonic JihadGuerrilla Funk RecordingsRandy Savage Be a ManBig3 RecordsRoc RaidaChampion SoundsDMC Records RZA Birth of a PrinceSanctuary Urban, BMG Records Shabazz the Disciple The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz) Battle Axe Soul Position8 Million Stories Rhymesayers Entertainment October 14 Noah23 Tau Ceti Plague LanguageTau Ceti by Noah23 on Apple MusicOctober 21LoonLoonBad Boy Records Tragedy Khadafi Still Reportin'...Solid Records, 25 To Life Records November 4FabolousMore Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The MixtapeDesert Storm Records, Elektra Records Ja Rule Blood in My EyeMurder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings Wyclef Jean The Preacher's Son J Records Diverse One A.M. Chocolate Industries Buck 65 Talkin' Honky Blues WEA November 7 Eminem Straight from the Lab Universal Music GroupNovember 11 2Pac Tupac: Resurrection soundtrackAmaru Entertainment, Interscope Records Various Artists Honey (soundtrack)Elektra Records November 14 G-Unit Beg for Mercy G-Unit Records, Interscope Records Jay-Z The Black Album Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsStu DentNephilim: Act of God 1Illect Recordings November 18Biz Markie Weekend WarriorTommy Boy Entertainment Cex Maryland Mansions Jade Tree RecordsCharizma & Peanut Butter Wolf Big ShotsStones Throw Records Esham RepentancePsychopathic Records Immortal Technique Revolutionary Vol. 2Viper Records KMD Best of KMDNature SoundsPsychopathic RecordsPsychopathics from Outer Space 2Psychopathic Records Swollen Members HeavyBattle Axe RecordsNovember 25 Missy Elliott This Is Not a Test!The Goldmind Inc., Elektra RecordsLil' KekeChangin' LanesCommission MusicNellyDa Derrty Versions: The ReinventionUniversal RecordsDecember 5O.S.T.R.Jazz W Wolnych ChwilachAsfalt RecordsJazz w Wolnych Chwilach by O.S.T.R on Apple MusicDecember 7B.U.G. MafiaBăieții BuniCasa Productions, Cat Music, Media Services, Sony MusicDecember 9Big TymersBig Money HeavyweightCash Money Records, Universal RecordsVarious ArtistsThe Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 7Image EntertainmentNick CannonNick CannonNickelodeon Records, Jive RecordsWestside ConnectionTerrorist ThreatsHoo-Bangin' RecordsSnoop Doggy DoggTha Dogg: Best of the WorksDeath Row RecordsDecember 10Pep LoveAscension Side CHieroglyphics Imperium RecordingsDecember 16Memphis BleekM.A.D.E. Get Low Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam RecordingsDecember 23BraveheartsBraveheartedIll Will Records, Columbia RecordsDavid BannerMTA2: Baptized in Dirty WaterSRC Records, Big Face Entertainment, Universal RecordsJuvenileJuve the GreatCash Money Records, UTP Records, Universal RecordsVarious ArtistsYou Got Served (soundtrack)Epic RecordsUnknownArmy of the PharaohsRare Shit, Collabos and FreestylesUnlabelled
Highest-charting singles