©

Getty Images

Eminem - ‘The Eminem Show’ -

Considered one of the must anticipated releases of 2002, Eminem’s fourth album sold over 27 million copies worldwide. It ended up winning Grammy Awards for the Best Rap Album and the Best Music Video for ‘Without Me.’

©

Getty Images

Christina Aguilera - ‘Stripped’ - ‘Stripped’ was a huge success for Xtina, which helped her transition into major stardom. The album included hits like ‘Dirrty’ and ‘Beautiful.’

©

Getty Images

Coldplay - 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' -

With songs like 'The Scientist' and 'Clocks,' Coldplay's second studio album became the eighth best-selling album of the 21st century.

©

Getty Images

Norah Jones - ‘Come Away with Me’  -

Considered one of the best albums of recent times, this jazzy blues album sold over 27 million copies worldwide. It was Norah Jones' debut album, which also received two Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

©

Getty Images

Shania Twain - 'Up!' -

The country music sensation's fourth studio album went 11-times platinum. Debuting at number one in the US, it sold over 5.4 million copies.

©

Getty Images

Foo Fighters - ‘One by One’ - This album, which includes classics like ‘All My Life’ and ‘Times Like These,’ was a huge commercial success. Praised for its sound and production, the album won a Grammy for Best Rock Album.

©

Getty Images

Justin Timberlake - ‘Justified’  -

Recorded while NSYNC were on hiatus (a break they never came back from), half of the tracks were originally written for Michael Jackson by Pharrell Williams. The album launched Timberlake’s solo career and earned him four Grammy nominations, ultimately winning the award for Best Pop Vocal Album.

©

Getty Images

Missy Elliott - ‘Under Construction’ -

The legendary rapper went double platinum with this album, giving us hits like ‘Work It’ and music videos that put those of today to shame.

©

Getty Images

Robbie Williams - ‘Escapology’ - ‘Escapology’ was a massive worldwide success and became the number one selling album in the United Kingdom that year. It included hits like ‘Feel’ and ‘Something Beautiful.’

©

Getty Images

Avril Lavigne - ‘Let Go’ -

Featuring unforgettable hits like ‘Sk8er Boi’ and ‘Complicated,’ this album launched the Canadian pop-punk sensation and sold over 16 million copies. Avril Lavigne also received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

©

Getty Images

Nelly - ‘Nellyville’ -

The second studio album by rapper Nelly became one of the biggest selling rap albums of all time. Who can forget songs like ‘Dilemma’ and ‘Hot in Herre’?

©

Getty Images

David Bowie - 'Heathen' -

Considered a comeback in the US market, this was the legend's 23rd album. It sold one million copies worldwide, and was followed by an international tour that same year.

©

Getty Images

Interpol - 'Turn On the Bright Lights' -

The American band released a true aughts gem, having later influenced many other indie-rock bands after them. Songs like 'PDA' and 'Obstacle 1' became true classics of the genre.

©

Getty Images

Oasis - 'Heathen Chemistry' -

'Heathen Chemistry' is the fifth studio album by the English rock band. It became the last album to feature the band's longtime drummer, Alan White, who left in early 2004.

©

Getty Images

Red Hot Chili Peppers - ‘By the Way’ -

The iconic band released their eighth chart-topping album in 2002, featuring songs like ‘Can’t Stop’ and ‘By the Way.’

©

Getty Images

Jay-Z - 'The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse' -

Debuting at number one with 545,000 sales that week alone, Hova's seventh album was the sequel to the iconic 'The Blueprint' (2001) album.

©

Getty Images

Linkin Park - 'Reanimation' -

'Reanimation' is the first remix album by the American rock band, which followed up their first studio album 'Hybrid Theory' (2000). The album is the fourth best-selling remix album of all time.

©

Getty Images

Chemical Brothers - ‘Come With Us’ -

Debuting at number one on the UK charts, the English electronic duo delivered an album packed with dance floor hits. With songs like ‘It Began in Afrika,’ they helped rebuild electronica for the new millennium.

©

Getty Images

Pet Shop Boys - 'Release' -

'Release' is the eighth studio album by the English synth-duo, and features tracks like 'Home and Dry' and 'I Get Along.'

©

Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez - 'This Is Me…Then' -

The fourth studio album by J.Lo features the iconic track 'Jenny from the Block,' and a lot of inspiration from her high-profile relationship with Ben Affleck.

©

Getty Images

Snoop Dogg - 'Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss' -

The highly successful album by rapper Snoop Dog received certified platinum status and sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

©

Getty Images

Blue - ‘One Love’ -

Four-times platinum certified in the UK, ‘One Love’ from the English boy band Blue was a huge success. The album included the singles 'U Make Me Wanna' and 'One Love.'

©

Getty Images

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - ‘Read My Lips’ - No early aughts dance floor would be complete without some Sophie Ellis-Bextor playing. With hits like ‘Music Gets the Best of Me’ and ‘Murder on the Dancefloor,’ this album went double platinum in the UK.

©

Getty Images

The Vines - 'Highly Evolved' -

The debut album from the Australian band was considered the revival of garage rock, and they were frequently compared to Nirvana.

©

Getty Images

Flaming Lips - 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' -

The 10th studio album by the American rock band was critically and commercially well received, helping them reach mainstream popularity. The album was later adapted into a musical in 2012.

©

Getty Images

Enrique Iglesias - ‘Escape’ -

Delivering major hits like ‘Hero’ and ‘Escape,’ Enrique Iglesias was the biggest Latin act to top the charts that year.

©

Getty Images

Maroon 5 - 'Songs About Jane' -

'Songs About Jane' put the band on the map, making it the perfect debut album. It gained a lot of chart success with the international hits 'This Love' and 'She Will Be Loved.'

©

Getty Images

Brandy - 'Full Moon' -

After a three-year musical hiatus, the R&B star released this platinum-certified album. It earned her nominations for several awards, including a Grammy nom for Best Contemporary R&B Album.

©

Getty Images

Queens of the Stone Age - 'Songs for the Deaf' -

The American hard rock band received plenty of critical acclaim for their third studio album. It earned the band their first gold certification in the US. Additionally, one million copies were sold in Europe. 

©

Getty Images

Sugababes - 'Angels with Dirty Faces' -

With hits like 'Freak Like Me' and 'Round Round,' the British girl group had a huge success, granting them triple platinum status. 

Sources: (Official Charts) (Album of the Year)

See also: The best karaoke songs of all time 

© Getty Images