Apple thinks it's figured out the top 10 albums of all time. That's kicked off debate among music fans.
- The Apple Music team has released its list of the top 100 albums of all time list.
- The first 10 were released Wednesday, and immediately sparked a debate among listeners.
Apple Music has released its list of the best albums of all time, and it's dividing the internet.
The music streamer released its top 100 albums over several days, and the top spot was revealed Wednesday morning.
"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," released in 1998 by Lauryn Hill, is ranked No. 1, according to Apple Music. Hill is joined in the top five by legendary names including Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Prince, and Frank Ocean.
"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 told Apple Music.
Apple honored Hill with a surprise dinner to present her with an award for her achievement. "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" is Hill's solo debut, for which she won five Grammy awards — including Album of the Year.
"I don't think anyone can argue with this, this album is literally lightning in a bottle, a once in a lifetime masterpiece," one user posted about the album.
But not everyone agreed that Hill should've gotten the top spot over the late Jackson. For some, "Thriller" is a timeless classic that will live on for "200-300 years."
The list has been a hot topic on X since the rollout began.
For example, "The Beatles are also given too much when Queen is the superior British rock band," another X user said.
Rolling Stone released its own ranking of the top 500 albums of all time in December. It included many of the same titles in the top 10, but "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye took the No. 1 spot, while "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was at No. 10.
Apple's press release said the list was crafted by Apple Music staff and a "select group of artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals." The tech giant emphasized that streaming numbers had nothing to do with the rankings.
Here's the full top 10.
- "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" by Lauryn Hill
- "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
- "Abbey Road" by The Beatles
- "Purple Rain" by Prince
- "Blonde" by Frank Ocean
- "Songs in the Key of Life" by Stevie Wonder
- "good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe Version)" by Kendrick Lamar
- "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse
- "Nevermind" by Nirvana
- "Lemonade" by Beyoncé