Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson The Beatles and Prince Top Apple Music 100 Best Albums List

Apple Music has curated a list of the ‘100 Best Albums’ of all time, and it’s a reminder of how far music has come, highlighting some of the biggest classics in musical history. Hot 97 Programs Manager Ebro Darden, who also has a show on Apple Music tweeted the criteria for the 100 Best Albums On Apple Music saying,

Let’s take closer look at the top selections and their significance.

1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
   • Topping the list, Lauryn Hill’s 5x Grammy winning 1998 album “The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. It remains a masterpiece of soulful expression and lyrical prowess. Its blend of R&B, hip-hop, and reggae, coupled with introspective and socially conscious themes, continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Upon hearing that she has the top album Hill responded at a private dinner by Apple Music saying,”its my award but its a rich, deep narrative and it involves so many people and so many sacrifices and so much time and so much collective love, the is as much mine  as it is yours, this is our celebrations,” she said with her mother holding her hand. “Mommy this is yours.” The album has ties to Jamaica as Hill has five children with Spanish Town native Rohan Marley, the song of Bob Marley. 
   • The tracks “Lost Ones” and “Forgive Them Father” was engineered by Errol Brown, the nephew of pioneering Jamaican record producer Duke Reid. Brown is the father of Shane Brown (Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal.) Bob Marley’s 1977 album Exodus landed #46.
2. Thriller – Michael Jackson
   • Michael Jackson’s 1982 album is not only the best-selling album of all time but also a landmark in pop music. With groundbreaking music videos and timeless hits like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” “Thriller” redefined what an album could achieve.
3. Abbey Road – The Beatles
   • A pinnacle of The Beatles’ illustrious career, “Abbey Road” (1969) showcases the band’s versatility and innovation. Tracks like “Come Together” and the iconic medley on Side B highlight their unparalleled musical craftsmanship.
4. Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution
   • Prince’s 1984 album is a genre-defying tour de force. With its fusion of rock, funk, and R&B, and the unforgettable title track, “Purple Rain” cemented Prince’s legacy as a musical visionary.
5. blonde – Frank Ocean
   • Released in 2016, Frank Ocean’s “blonde” is a modern classic. Its ethereal production and deeply personal lyrics make it a standout work in contemporary music.

The list celebrates a wide array of genres, but Apple faced backlash from Jermaine Dupri for excluding R&B on the top 90 albums.

• Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976) at #6 captures the essence of soul and funk.
• Nirvana’s “Nevermind” (1991) at #9 is a grunge rock milestone that defined a generation.
• Radiohead’s “OK Computer” (1997) at #12 is a critically acclaimed alternative rock album that explores themes of modern alienation.
• Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” (1959) at #25 is a cornerstone of jazz, influencing countless musicians.

Hip-hop’s influence is unmistakable present, with several key albums making the cut:

• Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (2012) at #7 narrates a powerful story of life in Compton.
• Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” (1992) at #19 revolutionized West Coast rap with its G-funk sound.
• Nas’ “Illmatic” (1994) at #39 remains a high-water mark in lyrical excellence.

The list also recognizes the contributions of female artists who have broken barriers and redefined genres:

• Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” (2016) at #10 is a bold exploration of race, feminism, and personal resilience.
• Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” (2006) at #8 is celebrated for its raw emotional depth and retro-soul sound.
• Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” (1971) at #16 is revered for its poetic lyricism and introspective themes.

Some albums on the list have become cultural touchstones, bridging the past and future of music:

• The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” (1966) at #20 influenced countless artists with its lush harmonies and complex arrangements.
• David Bowie’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” (1972) at #24 is a quintessential glam rock record that pushed the boundaries of musical and visual storytelling.
• Daft Punk’s “Discovery” (2001) at #23 redefined electronic music and left an indelible mark on pop culture.

More recent releases that have have quickly ascended to classic status according to Apple’s list include :

• Billie Eilish’s “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” (2019) at #30, which showcases her unique voice and innovative production.
• Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” (2013) at #96, which captured the zeitgeist of teenage introspection with its minimalist sound

See full Apple Music’s ‘100 Best Albums’ of all-time:

1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
2. Thriller – Michael Jackson
3. Abbey Road – The Beatles
4. Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution
5. blonde – Frank Ocean
6. Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
7. good kid, m.A.A.d city – Kendrick Lamar
8. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
9. Nevermind – Nirvana
10. Lemonade – Beyoncé
11. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
12. OK Computer – Radiohead
13. The Blueprint – Jay Z
14. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan
15. 21 – Adele
16. Blue – Joni Mitchell
17. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
18. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
19. The Chronic – Dr. Dre
20. Pet Sounds – Beach Boys
21. Revolver – The Beatles
22. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
23. Discovery – Daft Punk
24. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars – David Bowie
25. Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
26. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West
27. Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin
28. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
29. The Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest
30. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish
31. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morrisette
32. Ready to Die – Notorious B.I.G.
33. Kid A – Radiohead
34. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back – Public Enemy
35. London Calling – The Clash
36. BEYONCÉ – Beyoncé
37. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – WuTang Clan
38. Tapestry – Carole King
39. Illmatic – Nas
40. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You – Aretha Franklin
41. Aquemini – Outkast
42. Control – Janet Jackson
43. Remain in Light – Talking Heads
44. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder
45. Homogenic – Björk
46. Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers
47. Take Care – Drake
48. Paul’s Boutique – Beastie Boys
49. The Joshua Tree – U2
50. Hounds of Love – Kate Bush
51. Sign O’The Times – Prince
52. Appetite for Destruction – Guns N Roses
53. Exile on Main Street – Rolling Stones
54. A Love Supreme – John Coltrane
55. ANTI – Rihanna
56. Disintegration – The Cure
57. Voodoo – D’Angelo
58. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory – Oasis
59. AM – Arctic Monkeys
60. The Velvet Underground and Nico – Velvet Underground & Nico
61. Love Deluxe – Sade
62. All Eyez on Me – 2Pac
63. Are You Experienced – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
64. Baduizm – Erykah Badu
65. 3 Feet High and Rising – De La Soul
66. The Queens Is Dead – The Smiths
67. Dummy – Portishead
68. Is This It – The Strokes
69. Master of Puppets – Metallica
70. Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A.
71. Trans-Europe Express – Kraftwerk
72. SOS – SZA
73. Aja – Steely Dan
74. The Downward Spiral – Nine Inch Nails
75. Supa Dupa Fly – Missy Elliot
76. Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny
77. Like a Prayer – Madonna
78. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
79. Norman F*g Rockwell! – Lana Del Rey
80. The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem
81. After the Gold Rush – Neil Young
82. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ – 50 Cent
83. Horses – Patti Smith
84. Doggystyle – Snoop Dogg
85. Golden Hour” – Kacey Musgraves
86. My Life – Mary J. Blige
87. Blue Lines – Massive Attack
88. I Put a Spell on You – Nina Simone
89. The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga
90. Back in Black – AC/DC
91. Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 – George Michael
92. Flower Boy – Tyler, the Creator
93. A Seat At the Table – Solange
94. Untrue – Burial
95. Confessions – Usher
96. Pure Heroine – Lorde
97. Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
98. ASTROWORLD
99. Hotel California – Eagles
100. Body Talk – Robyn