Hip-hop hegemony

2002

Marshall Mathers owns the conversation while Avril Lavigne and Ashanti bring fresh faces and labels grapple with what downloads mean for sales.

Eminem Owns the Conversation

Marshall Mathers owns the conversation — hip-hop, pop, and rock all react to an artist who treats controversy like a sport and wordplay like a weapon. Avril Lavigne and Ashanti bring fresh faces to pop and R&B while the industry starts grappling with what downloads mean for the bottom line. Every hit feels like it's competing for attention in a louder, faster world.

• Eminem
• Avril Lavigne
• Ashanti
• hip-hop
• early 2000s pop

• Eminem's 'The Eminem Show' dominates global charts
• Avril Lavigne's 'Complicated' launches pop-punk princess era
• Ashanti's debut makes her the first female artist with simultaneous No. 1 single and album
• Nelly's 'Hot in Herre' and 'Dilemma' own the summer