Side 3 of 11
2002
Eminem peaks, Nelly tells you to take off your clothes
The top 10
- 01
Hot in Herre
Nelly
clubsummerneptunesFind similar tracks →On the charts
#1 on the Hot 100 for seven weeks. Won Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammys.
Why it mattered
The Neptunes built it on a Chuck Brown go-go loop and Nelly turned it into the official sound of summer 2002. Inescapable, undeniable, immortal.
- 02
Without Me
Eminem
pop-rapFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 (held off by 'Foolish' by Ashanti).
Why it mattered
The Eminem Show victory lap — built on a 'Buffalo Gals' riff, packed with pop culture jabs, and impossible to escape on TRL.
- 03
Lose Yourself
Eminem
8 mileFind similar tracks →On the charts
#1 on the Hot 100 for 12 weeks. First rap song to win an Oscar.
Why it mattered
The 8 Mile theme transcended hip-hop and became a universal hype anthem. Sports highlight reels still cue it up two decades later.
- 04
Work It
Missy Elliott
futuristicclubFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 — held off the top spot for 10 straight weeks.
Why it mattered
An elephant trumpet, a backwards verse, and the most inventive Missy/Timbaland record yet. The video was a Hype Williams masterpiece.
- 05
Dilemma
Nelly · feat. Kelly Rowland
r&bpop-rapFind similar tracks →On the charts
#1 on the Hot 100 for 10 weeks.
Why it mattered
Nelly's softer side paid off with one of the biggest crossover slow jams of the decade. Kelly Rowland texting on a flip phone in Microsoft Excel — culture forever.
- 06
Gimme the Light
Sean Paul
dancehallclubFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #7 on the Hot 100; the breakout from Dutty Rock.
Why it mattered
Sean Paul kicked open the door for dancehall-pop crossover and made the Diwali Riddim one of the most-licensed beats of the year.
- 07
Pass the Courvoisier Part II
Busta Rhymes · feat. P. Diddy, Pharrell
clubneptunesFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #11 on the Hot 100.
Why it mattered
Single-handedly turned a French cognac into a hip-hop status symbol and a club call-and-response.
- 08
Always on Time
Ja Rule · feat. Ashanti
r&bpop-rapFind similar tracks →On the charts
#1 on the Hot 100 for two weeks.
Why it mattered
Murder Inc.'s gravel-and-honey formula at full strength — Ja growling over Ashanti's coo. The blueprint for every rapper-singer duet of the decade.
- 09
Grindin'
Clipse
neptunescoke rapFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #30 on the Hot 100; the Neptunes' coldest beat to date.
Why it mattered
Lunchroom-table beat, ice-cold Pusha and Malice verses, and a video shot in Virginia warehouses. A purist's anthem in a year of crossover hits.
- 10
Oh Boy
Cam'ron · feat. Juelz Santana
new yorkdipsetFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #4 on the Hot 100.
Why it mattered
Just Blaze chopped up Rose Royce's 'I'm Going Down' and Cam laced it with the most quotable Dipset run of his career. Pink fur season had begun.
