After more than a week of counting down the 100 Best Albums of All Time, Apple Music has announced its top 10 tally, including Lauryn Hill's seminal 1998 debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. received top honors.
Behind Ms. Hill's iconic album, other top 10 hits include Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” The Beatles' “Abbey Road,” Prince's “Purple Rain,” Frank Ocean's “Blonde,” Stevie Wonder's “Songs in the Key of Life,” Kendrick Lamar's “Good Kid, What Did I Do?”, Amy Winehouse's “Back to Black,” Nirvana's “Nevermind” and Beyonce's “Lemonade.”
Apple Music's list has been the subject of criticism on social media since it launched on May 13, with some taking issue with the lack of Latin, country, jazz and dance albums that have helped shaped modern music, while others have criticized the ranking itself for prioritizing more recent albums over older foundational albums.
The complete list, which counts down 10 albums per day, includes everything from SZA's “SOS” and Taylor Swift's “1989 (Taylor's Version)” to Bruce Springsteen's “Born to Run” and the Beach Boys. It contained an assortment of records spanning several decades, up to and including albums. “Pet sounds”
Topping the list, “Miseducation” was Hill's breakthrough album, making her the first rap artist to win Album of the Year at the Grammys in 1999. In a statement shared through Apple Music, she said her environment and influences deserve as much credit as she does for the honor.
“I do feel grateful, I really do, but it would be remiss of me not to also thank all the music and artists that have influenced and inspired me,” she said. “The leaders of the communities and movements that inspired me, old and new, that intrigued me and inspired me to contribute to social dynamics and music scenes. The literal and non-literal educators and experiences that shaped me. My parents, my family, my friends, my community, where I came from, where I grew up… I wanted that same fire that inspired me to remain, and I couldn’t bear to see it go. I let what I wanted to see and hear be present in the world at that time. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be connected with so many of you and to continue to be connected to you. Thank you to everyone who participated, to everyone who supported this release and the movement around the world, even those who were initially reluctant, because this release unleashed an indomitable creative will and showed me once again how much love was poured into it. A huge thank you to all the careful listeners, thank you to all the casual listeners, and love to all the artists and those who support them fighting the good, brave, and noble fight of presenting the art you love to a world that so desperately needs it.”
Check out the top 10 of Apple Music's 100 Best Albums below.
10. Lemonade – Beyonce
9. Nevermind – Nirvana
8. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
7. Good Kid, mAd City (Deluxe Edition) – Kendrick Lamar
6. Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
5. Blonde – Frank Ocean
4. Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution
3. Abbey Road – The Beatles
2. Thriller – Michael Jackson
1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill