Except for the songs that made my Top 20 songs of 2002 and the representative tracks from my Top 20 Albums of 2002, these are the rest of the best mainstream hip hop tracks of 2002. To be eligible, a song needed to be included on an album released in the United States between December 1, 2001 and November 30, 2002.

1. Scarface “Safe” The Fix (Def Jam)
2. Eminem “8 Mile” 8 Mile Original Soundtrack (Interscope)
3. Clipse “When the Last Time” Lord Willin’ (Star Trak/Arista)
4. Mystikal “Bumpin’ Me Against the Wall (Bouncin’ Back)” Tarantula (Jive)
5. Jay-Z & R. Kelly featuring Devin the Dude “Pussy” The Best of Both Worlds (Jive/Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
6. Young Zee “That’s My Nigga Fo’ Real” 8 Mile Original Soundtrack (Interscope)
7. Styles “Good Times” A Gangster and a Gentleman
(Ruff Ryders/Interscope)
8. Scarface “In Cold Blood” The Fix (Def Jam)
9. Talib Kweli “Rush” Quality (Rawkus)
10. Clipse “Ma, I Don’t Love Her” Lord Willin’ (Star Trak/Arista)
11. Erick Sermon “Go Wit’ Me” React (J-Records)
12. Jay-Z & R. Kelly “Break Up To Make Up” The Best of Both Worlds (Jive/Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
13. Missy Elliot featuring Ludacris “Gossip Folks” Under Construction (Elektra)
14. Big Tymers “Still Fly” Hood Rich (Cash Money)
15. Master P “Ooohweee” Game Face (No Limit)
16. Erick Sermon featuring Redman “React” React (J-Records)
17. Eve “Ryde Away” Eve-Olution (Interscope)
18. Eminem “My Dad’s Gone Crazy” The Eminem Show (Interscope)