On Wednesday, Apple Music revealed their list of the 10 best albums ever, with Lauryn Hill's legendary 1998 album, The Miseducation topping the charts. Though rankings can be very subjective, there is no denying that ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ has had a lasting influence. Hill's fusion of R&B, soul, and hip-hop and her relatable lyrics, has resonated across generations, especially through her iconic tracks Ex-Factor and Doo-Wop (That Thing)”. After its release in 1998, the debut album won five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. The iconic 1998 album outsold albums by The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Prince, Nirvana, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, and Beyoncé. “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,” Hill, who performed in Kigali in 2010, said in a statement. Apple Music, in collaboration with industry experts, artists, composers, and producers, has ranked the top albums of all time. Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' takes second place, followed by The Beatles' 'Abbey Road' in third place, Prince's 'Purple Rain' in fourth, and Frank Ocean's 'Blonde' in fifth. Stevie Wonder's iconic 'Songs in the Key of Life' is ranked sixth, followed by Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'. Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' and Nirvana's 'Nevermind' take eighth and ninth place, respectively, while Beyoncé's 'Lemonade' rounds out the top ten. According to Apple, the list which has prompted significant debate among music fans online, serves as an editorial statement, fully independent of any streaming numbers on Apple Music and a love letter to the records that have shaped the world in which music lovers live and listen in.
