Top 5 Artists of 2003 (Artistry)

By Allhiphop.com

Outkast

Their album contorts the conceptions and conventions of what hip-hop is supposed to sound like.

Jay-Z

Jigga's concept for The Black Album returned to the traditional format: No guests. No filler. Shorter albums.

Immortal Technique

Immortal Technique will be likely to make a record in the next two years that'll shake the earth. His mixtape-like preview albums reveal a man with a mission. Technique is challenging everybody with his thoughtful rhymes, chilled beats, and Tyson-like punchlines.

Missy Elliot

Melissa didn't just wear trucker hats and belt buckles. She made an old school sounding record with a newer sound. Missy is linking the sound of yesterday and tomorrow with every move.

Paris

If Eminem caught the attention of George Bush's Secret Service that means that the president's bodyguards are staking out Paris' studio. The album cover of Sonic Jihad shockingly depicted a passenger plane flying towards the White House Al-Queda style. However, once listeners moved beyond the cover art, the insides of the work found Paris boldly commenting on the state of U.S. Affairs, the condition of hip-hop and, of course, Dubya.

Runner Ups: Mad Lib, Biz Markie