The music landscape in 2002 marked a significant turning point for popular music in the 21st century. The reign of late-90s teen pop was drawing to a close, as its initial stars matured and newer artists emerged, crafting sounds more suited for everyday life than teenybopper trends. Emo music solidified its place in the mainstream, and the much-anticipated New Rock Revolution from the previous year finally resonated across radio waves and music television in the US. Simultaneously, the vibrant New York underground music scene fostered a fusion of indie and dance music, creating ripples that would have a lasting impact on the industry. Even established rock and country legends discovered fresh energy by reinventing their sound for a new era, with some even achieving this resurgence posthumously.
However, the most compelling narrative of 2002 was the definitive establishment of rap as the dominant genre of the decade. Eminem ascended to unprecedented levels of fame, becoming a global musical icon recognized by a single name, reminiscent of the early days of MTV. Missy Elliott and Timbaland delivered some of their most impactful hits, pushing musical boundaries through innovative sounds, both in their collaborations and in their productions for other hip-hop and R&B artists. The Neptunes, already renowned for their consistent pop hits, reached a new peak of success, producing both the biggest crossover hit on top 40 radio and the most critically acclaimed street anthem of the summer. Ja Rule, Ashanti, and the entire Murder Inc. Records roster dominated the charts, enjoying a commercial zenith that, while ultimately transient, significantly shaped the musical identity of the period. This reign occurred in parallel with the burgeoning mainstream success of a rising New York artist, whose ascent began in earnest in 2002, adding another layer to the dynamic rap scene.
This week, we’re revisiting 2002, a pivotal year that shaped 21st-century popular music, through a series of articles on payoffsong.com that delve into the most captivating stories of this era. To begin, we present our list of the 100 greatest songs of the year—a collection of enduring classics, overlooked gems, and unforgettable one-hit wonders that encapsulate the unique musical moment of 2002. This list includes singles released in 2002, as well as songs that first appeared on the Billboard charts or reached number one in 2002. Songs that initially charted or topped charts in 2003, such as t.A.T.u.’s “All the Things She Said,” Coldplay’s “Clocks,” or B2K’s “Bump, Bump, Bump,” will be celebrated in our reflections next year.
Explore our curated list below—accompanied by a Spotify playlist featuring all 100 songs—and immerse yourself in the soundtrack of 2002, the year the ’00s truly came into focus.
