
After a week of building anticipation with their countdown of the top 100 albums, Apple Music has finally unveiled their list of the top 10 albums, and the results are surprising. While the usual legends make appearances, it’s Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” that claims the top spot. This choice might throw many for a loop, especially those who expected the likes of Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder to dominate. Instead, Michael Jackson’s record-breaking “Thriller” sits at #2, and Stevie Wonder’s often-hailed best album of all time, “Songs in the Key of Life,” is placed at #6. These placements alone are sure to stir up controversy and conversation.
Crafting a list like this was undoubtedly a daunting task, and some of the greatest albums, like Kanye West’s “College Dropout” or “Graduation,” didn’t even make the cut.
“Putting this list together was a true labor of love, both in that it was incredibly difficult to do and in that we are all so passionate about it,” said Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director and lead anchor for Apple Music 1. “We were tasked with selecting the 100 best — that’s practically mission impossible. But as music fans, it was also amazing to really take a minute and sit and think about the music and albums and artists that we love so much in this context. If this list sparks more debate among fans outside of Apple Music and gets people talking passionately about the music they love, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
Given her achievements, it’s not entirely shocking that Lauryn Hill would take the top spot. In 1999, she swept the GRAMMYs, taking home five awards for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” including Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance – the latter two both for “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Hill has toured for nearly 30 years on the strength of one major release and continues to sell out shows.
Does Lauryn deserve the top spot? Let us know what you think. Check out Apple Music’s top 10 of the top 100 list below:
- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
- Thriller – Michael Jackson
- Abbey Road – The Beatles
- Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution
- Blonde – Frank Ocean
- Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
- good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version) – Kendrick Lamar
- Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
- Nevermind – Nirvana
- Lemonade – Beyoncé