Apple Music on Wednesday unveiled its list of the top 10 albums of all time. Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” holds the top spot on the list, followed by Michael Jacks’s 1982 album, Thriller in the runner-up spot. Hill was given an award made of blasted anodized aluminum sourced from recycled Apple products.
Upon receiving the news, Lauryn Hill said, “This is my award, but it’s a rich, deep narrative, and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love.”
1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill’s debut — and only — solo studio album was a seismic event in 1998: a stunningly raw, profound look into the spiritual landscape not just of one of the era’s biggest stars, but of the era itself. She was, and remains, a once-in-a-generation talent whose inspiration and innovation can be heard through the decades. Artists exhaust long discographies hoping for a cohesive piece of work resonant enough to reshape culture and inscribe its creator into the pantheon; Lauryn Hill did it in one.
The announcement is part of a 10-day countdown event culminating in a special finale featuring discussions with prominent artists and Apple Music hosts. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” released in 1998, was praised for its impact and relevance. Hill was given an award made of blasted anodized aluminum sourced from recycled Apple products. The top 10 albums list is as follows:
- 1. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), Lauryn Hill
- 2. Thriller (1982), Michael Jackson
- 3. Abbey Road (1969), The Beatles
- 4. Purple Rain (1984), Prince & The Revolution
- 5. Blonde (2016), Frank Ocean
- 6. Songs in the Key of Life (1976), Stevie Wonder
- 7. good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), Kendrick Lamar
- 8. Back to Black (2006), Amy Winehouse
- 9. Nevermind (1991), Nirvana
- 10. Lemonade (2016), Beyoncé
The selections were made by Apple Music experts and a group of artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals. Apple calls the list “an editorial statement, fully independent of any streaming numbers on Apple Music — a love letter to the records that have shaped the world music lovers live and listen in.”
Apple Music has also created 100 audio vignettes to accompany each album on the list, providing context and stories behind the records. These vignettes, as well as additional content, are available via Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books.
