# 2003 in hip-hop

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music 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 28 | Choppa | Choppa Style | Take Fo' Records |
| January 28 | DMG | Black Roulette | Rap-a-Lot Records |
| January 28 | Zug Izland | Cracked Tiles | Psychopathic Records |
| February 6 | 50 Cent | Get Rich or Die Tryin' | Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records |
| February 11 | DJ Envy | The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1 | Desert Storm Records |
| February 18 | Monsta Island Czars | Escape from Monsta Island! | Metal Face Records |
| February 18 | Various Artists | Cradle 2 the Grave (soundtrack) | Bloodline Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| February 18 | Zion I | Deep Water Slang V2.0 | Raptivism Records |
| February 25 | Freeway | Philadelphia Freeway | Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| February 25 | J Dilla | Ruff Draft | Mummy Records |
| February 25 | The Majesticons | Beauty Party | Big Dada |
| February 25 | MURS | ...The End of the Beginning | Definitive Jux |
| February 28 | Mr. Dibbs | The 30th Song | Rhymesayers Entertainment |
| March 1 | Messy Marv & Marvaless | Bonnie and Clyde | Frisco Street Show |
| March 4 | Choppa | Straight from the N.O. | The New No Limit Records Universal Records |
| March 4 | Fabolous | Street Dreams | Desert Storm Records, Elektra Records |
| March 4 | Lil' Kim | La Bella Mafia | Queen Bee Entertainment, Atlantic Records |
| March 4 | Lil Wyte | Doubt Me Now | Hypnotize Minds |
| March 11 | Beans | Tomorrow Right Now | Warp |
| March 11 | Killer Mike | Monster | Columbia Records |
| March 11 | DJ Muggs | Dust | ANTI- |
| March 18 | Magic | White Eyes | The New No Limit Records Universal Records |
| March 18 | Mr. Cheeks | Back Again! | Universal Records |
| March 25 | The Diplomats | Diplomatic Immunity | Diplomat Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| March 25 | Tame One | When Rappers Attack | Eastern Conference Records |
| April 1 | CunninLynguists | SouthernUnderground | Freshchest |
| April 8 | Anybody Killa | Hatchet Warrior | Psychopathic Records |
| April 8 | Scarface | Balls and My Word | Rap-a-Lot Records |
| April 27 | Z-Ro | Z-Ro Tolerance | Kmj |
| April 29 | Bone Crusher | AttenCHUN! | So So Def Recordings, Arista Records |
| April 29 | Keith Murray | He's Keith Murray | Def Jam Recordings |
| May 5 | Vakill | The Darkest Cloud | Molemen Records |
| May 6 | 54th Platoon | All or Nothin' | FUBU Records |
| May 6 | Prince Paul | Politics Of The Business | Razor & Tie |
| May 13 | Fiend | Can I Burn? 2 | Fiend Entertainment |
| May 20 | Akrobatik | Balance | Coup D'État |
| May 20 | David Banner | Mississippi: The Album | SRC Records |
| May 23 | Diam's | Brut de femme | Hostile Records |
| May 27 | Brother Ali | Shadows on the Sun | Rhymesayers Entertainment |
| June 3 | Aceyalone | Love & Hate | Project Blowed, Decon |
| June 3 | Gold Chains | Young Miss America | |
| June 3 | Northern State | Dying In Stereo | |
| June 3 | Orko the Sykotik Alien | Atoms of Eden | Plague Language |
| June 3 | S.A. Smash | Smashy Trashy | Definitive Jux |
| June 10 | Joe Budden | Joe Budden | Def Jam Records |
| June 10 | Inspectah Deck | The Movement | Koch Records |
| June 10 | Mo Thugs | The Movement | Riviera |
| June 16 | Ugly Duckling | Taste The Secret | Emperor Norton Records, Rykodisc |
| June 16 | Why? | Oaklandazulasylum | Anticon |
| June 17 | Michael Franti & Spearhead | Everyone Deserves Music | Boo Boo Wax, iMusic |
| June 17 | King Geedorah | Take Me to Your Leader | Big Dada |
| June 17 | Nephlim Modulation Systems | Woe to Thee O Land Whose King Is a Child | Ninja Tune |
| June 17 | PMD | The Awakening | Solid Records |
| June 24 | Black Eyed Peas | Elephunk | A&M Records, will.i.am Music Group |
| June 24 | Gang Starr | The Ownerz | Virgin Records, EMI |
| June 24 | King Gordy | The Entity | Web Entertainment |
| June 24 | KRS-One | Kristyles | Koch Records |
| July 1 | Lifesavas | Spirit in Stone | Quannum Projects |
| July 1 | Twiztid | The Green Book | Psychopathic Records |
| July 8 | Slim Thug & Lil' Keke | The Big Unit | Rap-A-Lot Records |
| July 8 | Fannypack | So Stylistic | Tommy Boy Entertainment |
| July 8 | Killah Priest | Black August | Recon Records |
| July 15 | Chingy | Jackpot | Disturbing Tha Peace |
| July 21 | Dizzee Rascal | Boy in da Corner | XL Recordings |
| July 22 | Canibus | Rip the Jacker | Mic Club Music, Babygrande Records |
| July 22 | Violent J | Wizard of the Hood | Psychopathic Records |
| July 23 | Pegz | Capricorn Cat | Obese Records |
| August 12 | State Property | The Chain Gang Vol. 2 | Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| August 19 | T.I. | Trap Muzik | Grand Hustle Records, Atlantic Records |
| August 19 | Juelz Santana | From Me to U | Diplomat Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| August 19 | Mars Ill | Backbreakanomics | Gotee Records |
| August 19 | The Neptunes | The Neptunes Present... Clones | Star Trak Entertainment, Arista Records |
| August 19 | Lil Zane | The Big Zane Theory | Priority Records, Capitol Music Group |
| August 25 | Hermitude | Alleys to Valleys | Elefant Traks, Inertia Distribution |
| August 26 | Frayser Boy | Gone on That Bay | Hypnotize Minds |
| August 26 | Jedi Mind Tricks | Visions of Gandhi | Babygrande Records |
| August 26 | Magic | On My Own | Koch Records |
| August 26 | Nappy Roots | Wooden Leather | Atlantic Records |
| August 26 | YoungBloodZ | Drankin' Patnaz | So So Def Recordings, Arista Records |
| September 2 | Soul-Junk | 1958 | Sounds Are Active, Sounds Familyre |
| September 8 | Mark Ronson | Here Comes the Fuzz | Elektra Records |
| September 9 | Danger Mouse & Jemini | Ghetto Pop Life | Lex Records |
| September 9 | E-40 | Breakin' News | Sick Wid It Records, Jive Records |
| September 11 | Pięć Dwa Dębiec | P-ń VI | UMC Records |
| September 16 | Bubba Sparxxx | Deliverance | Beat Club, Interscope Records |
| September 16 | Daara J | Boomerang | Wrasse Records |
| September 16 | DMX | Grand Champ | Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Def Jam Recordings |
| September 16 | Semi.Official | The Anti-Album | Rhymesayers Entertainment |
| September 16 | Sheek Louch | Walk witt Me | D-Block Records, Universal Records |
| September 16 | Viktor Vaughn | Vaudeville Villain | Sound-Ink Records, Traffic Entertainment Group |
| September 16 | Ying Yang Twins | Me & My Brother | TVT Records |
| September 22 | Hilltop Hoods | The Calling | Obese Records |
| September 23 | Aesop Rock | Bazooka Tooth | Definitive Jux |
| September 23 | Atmosphere | Seven's Travels | Rhymesayers Entertainment, Epitaph Records |
| September 23 | Obie Trice | Cheers | Shady Records, Interscope Records |
| September 23 | Outkast | Speakerboxxx/The Love Below | LaFace Records, Arista Records |
| September 23 | Murphy Lee | Murphy's Law | Derrty Entertainment, Universal |
| September 23 | Jeru the Damaja | Divine Design | Ashenafi Records |
| September 29 | So Solid Crew | 2nd Verse | Independiente Limited |
| September 29 | Non-Prophets | Hope | Lex Records |
| October 7 | Hieroglyphics | Full Circle | Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings |
| October 7 | The High & Mighty | The Highlite Zone | Eastern Conference Records |
| October 7 | Jaylib | Champion Sound | Stones Throw Records |
| October 7 | Ludacris | Chicken-n-Beer | Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam Recordings |
| October 7 | Lyrics Born | Later That Day | Quannum Projects |
| October 7 | Paris | Sonic Jihad | Guerrilla Funk Recordings |
| October 7 | Randy Savage | Be a Man | Big3 Records |
| October 7 | Roc Raida | Champion Sounds | DMC Records |
| October 7 | RZA | Birth of a Prince | Sanctuary Urban, BMG Records |
| October 7 | Shabazz the Disciple | The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz) | Battle Axe |
| October 7 | Soul Position | 8 Million Stories | Rhymesayers Entertainment |
| October 14 | Noah23 | Tau Ceti | Plague Language |
| October 21 | Loon | Loon | Bad Boy |
| October 21 | Tragedy Khadafi | Still Reportin'... | Solid Records, 25 To Life Records |
| November 4 | Fabolous | More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape | Desert Storm Records, Elektra Records |
| November 4 | Ja Rule | Blood in My Eye | Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| November 4 | Wyclef Jean | The Preacher's Son | J Records |
| November 4 | Diverse | One A.M. | Chocolate Industries |
| November 4 | Buck 65 | Talkin' Honky Blues | WEA |
| November 7 | Eminem | Straight from the Lab | Universal Music Group |
| November 11 | 2Pac | Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack | Amaru Entertainment, Interscope Records |
| November 14 | G-Unit | Beg for Mercy | G-Unit Records, Interscope Records |
| November 14 | JAY-Z | The Black Album | Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| November 14 | Stu Dent | Nephilim: Act of God 1 | Illect Recordings |
| November 18 | Biz Markie | Weekend Warrior | Tommy Boy Entertainment |
| November 18 | Cex | Maryland Mansions | Jade Tree Records |
| November 18 | Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf | Big Shots | Stones Throw Records |
| November 18 | Esham | Repentance | Psychopathic Records |
| November 18 | Immortal Technique | Revolutionary Vol. 2 | Viper Records |
| November 18 | Psychopathic Records | Psychopathics from Outer Space 2 | Psychopathic Records |
| November 18 | Swollen Members | Heavy | Battle Axe Records |
| November 25 | Missy Elliott | This Is Not a Test! | The Goldmind Inc., Elektra Records |
| November 25 | Lil' Keke | Changin' Lanes | Commission Music |
| December 5 | O.S.T.R. | Jazz W Wolnych Chwilach | Asfalt Records |
| December 7 | B.U.G. Mafia | Băieții Buni | Casa Productions, Cat Music, Media Services, Sony Music |
| December 9 | Big Tymers | Big Money Heavyweight | Cash Money Records, Universal Records |
| December 9 | Westside Connection | Terrorist Threats | Hoo-Bangin' Records |
| December 10 | Pep Love | Ascension Side C | Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings |
| December 16 | Memphis Bleek | M.A.D.E. | Get Low Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings |
| December 23 | Bravehearts | Bravehearted | Ill Will Records, Columbia Records |

## Highest-charting singles

Hip hop singles which charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 :
| Title | Artist | Peak position |
| "In da Club" | 50 Cent | 1 |
| "21 Questions" | 50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg | 1 |
| "Stand Up" | Ludacris feat. Shawnna | 1 |
| "Magic Stick" | Lil' Kim feat. 50 Cent | 2 |
| "Right Thurr" | Chingy | 2 |
| "One Call Away" | Chingy feat. J-Weav | 2 |
| "P.I.M.P." | 50 Cent feat. Snoop Dogg & G-Unit | 3 |
| "Holidae In" | Chingy feat. Ludacris & Snoop Dogg | 3 |
| "Air Force Ones" | Nelly featuring Kyujan, Ali & Murphy Lee | 3 |
| "I Know What You Want" | Busta Rhymes & Mariah Carey featuring Flipmode Squad | 3 |
| "Can't Let You Go" | Fabolous featuring Lil' Mo & Mike Shorey | 4 |
| "Into You" | Fabolous featuring Tamia or Ashanti | 4 |
| "Damn!" | YoungBloodz featuring Lil Jon | 4 |
| "Frontin'" | Pharrell Williams feat. Jay-Z | 5 |
| "Splash Waterfalls" | Ludacris feat. Sandy Coffee | 6 |
| "Beautiful" | Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams & Charlie Wilson | 6 |
| "Where Is the Love?" | The Black Eyed Peas feat. Justin Timberlake | 8 |
| "Excuse Me Miss" | Jay-Z | 8 |
| "Change Clothes" | Jay-Z feat. Pharrell Williams | 10 |
| "I Can" | Nas | 12 |
| "Wanksta" | 50 Cent | 13 |
| "Stunt 101" | G-Unit | 13 |
| "Sing For The Moment" | Eminem | 14 |
| "Let's Get Down" | Bow Wow featuring Birdman | 14 |
| "Superman" | Eminem | 15 |
| "Wanna Get to Know You" | G-Unit feat. Joe | 15 |
| "The Jump Off" | Lil' Kim feat. Mr. Cheeks | 16 |
| "Wat Da Hook Gon Be" | Murphy Lee featuring Jermaine Dupri | 17 |
| "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" | 2Pac feat. The Notorious B.I.G. | 19 |
| "Let's Get It Started" | The Black Eyed Peas | 21 |
| "Hey Mama" | The Black Eyed Peas feat. Tippa Irie | 23 |
| "Never Scared" | Bone Crusher feat. T.I. and Killer Mike | 26 |
| "Pass That Dutch" | Missy Elliott | 27 |
| "Made You Look" | Nas | 32 |
| "Do That..." | Birdman featuring P. Diddy | 33 |
| "Paradise" | LL Cool J featuring Amerie | 36 |
| "Pump It Up" | Joe Budden | 38 |

## Highest first-week sales

List of top ten albums released in 2003, according to first-week home market sales :
| Number | Album | Artist | 1st-week sales | 1st-week position |
| 1 | Get Rich or Die Tryin' | 50 Cent | 872,000 | 1 |
| 2 | Speakerboxxx/The Love Below | OutKast | 510,000 | 1 |
| 3 | The Black Album | Jay-Z | 463,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Tupac: Resurrection | 2Pac | 430,000 | 2 |
| 5 | Chicken-n-Beer | Ludacris | 429,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Beg for Mercy | G-Unit | 377,000 | 3 |
| 7 | Bad Boys II | Various Artists | 324,000 | 1 |
| 8 | Grand Champ | DMX | 312,000 | 1 |
| 9 | The Neptunes Present... Clones | The Neptunes | 249,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Cheers | Obie Trice | 226,000 | 5 |

## All critically reviewed albums ranked (Metacritic)

| Number | Artist | Album | Average score | Number of reviews |
| 1 | Dizzee Rascal | Boy in da Corner | 92 | 28 reviews |
| 2 | Outkast | Speakerboxxx/The Love Below | 91 | 26 reviews |
| 3 | Jay-Z | The Black Album | 84 | 19 reviews |
| 4 | Bubba Sparxxx | Deliverance | 82 | 17 reviews |
| 5 | Soul Position | 8 Million Stories | 82 | 8 reviews |
| 6 | Missy Elliott | This Is Not a Test! | 79 | 21 reviews |
| 7 | Nappy Roots | Wooden Leather | 79 | 9 reviews |
| 8 | FannyPack | So Stylistic | 78 | 16 reviews |
| 9 | Northern State | Dying in Stereo | 77 | 17 reviews |
| 10 | Sole | Selling Live Water | 77 | 9 reviews |
| 11 | Ludacris | Chicken & Beer | 75 | 10 reviews |
| 12 | The Majesticons | Beauty Party | 75 | 9 reviews |
| 13 | Aesop Rock | Bazooka Tooth | 74 | 16 reviews |
| 14 | Freeway | Philadelphia Freeway | 74 | 7 reviews |
| 15 | 50 Cent | Get Rich or Die Tryin' | 73 | 19 reviews |
| 16 | Beans | Tomorrow Right Now | 73 | 14 reviews |
| 17 | Obie Trice | Cheers | 73 | 12 reviews |
| 18 | Atmosphere | Seven's Travels | 72 | 14 reviews |
| 19 | Gold Chains | Young Miss America | 72 | 12 reviews |
| 20 | Ugly Duckling | Taste The Secret | 72 | 8 reviews |
| 21 | Michael Franti & Spearhead | Everyone Deserves Music | 71 | 4 reviews |
| 22 | Gang Starr | The Ownerz | 70 | 17 reviews |
| 23 | Why? | Oaklandazulasylum | 70 | 8 reviews |
| 24 | Mr. Cheeks | Back Again! | 67 | 4 reviews |
| 25 | Black Eyed Peas | Elephunk | 66 | 15 reviews |
| 26 | Aceyalone | Love & Hate | 66 | 9 reviews |
| 27 | Prince Paul | Politics of the Business | 65 | 15 reviews |
| 28 | Lil Kim | La Bella Mafia | 65 | 11 reviews |
| 29 | G-Unit | Beg for Mercy | 62 | 11 reviews |
| 30 | RZA | Birth of a Prince | 62 | 11 reviews |
| 31 | Wyclef Jean | The Preacher's Son | 61 | 6 reviews |
| 32 | DMX | Grand Champ | 58 | 12 reviews |
| 33 | Fabolous | Street Dreams | 51 | 13 reviews |
| 34 | Ja Rule | Blood in My Eye | 45 | 8 reviews |