From Xzibit to Nas, Missy Elliott to Ja Rule, Jay-Z to Eminem, we take a look at the biggest hip hop first week sales of 2002.
10. Man vs. Machine by Xzibit
Released: October 1, 2002
Label: Open Bar, Loud, Columbia Records
First week album sales: 156,000
Billboard 200 position: 3
Singles: “Multiply”, “Choke Me, Spank Me (Pull My Hair)”, “My Name”, “Symphony in X Major”
9. Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss by Snoop Dogg
Released: November 26, 2002
Label: Doggystyle, Priority, Capitol
First week album sales: 174,000
Billboard 200 position: 12
Singles: “From tha Chuuuch to da Palace”, “Beautiful”
8. God’s Son by Nas
Released: December 13, 2002
Label: Ill Will, Columbia
First week album sales: 156,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Made You Look”, “I Can”, “Get Down”
7. The Last Temptation by Ja Rule
Released: November 19, 2002
Label: Murder Inc., Def Jam
First week album sales: 237,000
Billboard 200 position: 4
Singles: “Thug Lovin’”, “Mesmerize”, “Murder Reigns”
6. Under Construction by Missy Elliott
Released: November 12, 2002
Label: The Goldmind, Elektra
First week album sales: 359,000
Billboard 200 position: 3
Singles: “Work It”, “Gossip Folks”, “Back in the Day”
5. Better Dayz by 2Pac
Released: November 26, 2002
Label: Amaru, Tha Row, Interscope
First week album sales: 366,000
Billboard 200 position: 5
Singles: “Thugz Mansion”, “Still Ballin”
4. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay-Z
Released: November 12, 2002
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, IDJMG
First week album sales: 545,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”, “Hovi Baby”, “Excuse Me Miss”
3. 8 Mile OST by Various Artists
Released: October 29, 2002
Label: Shady, Interscope
First week album sales: 702,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Lose Yourself”, “Rap Name”, “Wanksta”, “8 Mile”
2. Nellyville by Nelly
Released: June 25, 2002
Label: Fo’ Reel, Universal
First week album sales: 715,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Hot in Herre”, “Dilemma”, “Air Force Ones”, “Work It”, “Pimp Juice”
1. The Eminem Show by Eminem
Released: May 26, 2002
Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope, Goliath
First week album sales: 1,322,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Without Me”, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”, “Superman”, “Sing for the Moment”, “Business”
