‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ is Apple Music’s best album of all time

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Who has the best music albums ever? Apple Music certainly has an idea. The music streaming giant announced on Wednesday their 10o greatest albums of all time with Lauryn Hill’s 1998 iconic solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill claiming the top spot.

“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 said after receiving the news.

There are only five artistes with two albums on the full list including The Beatles, Wonder, Prince, Radiohead and Beyoncé. More than 22 per cent of the albums on the list were hip-hop/rap, making it the most represented genre in the top 100. Bob Marley & The Wailers Exodus (2013 Remaster) came in at number 46.

The process started several months ago when Apple Music’s editorial team, including Zane Lowe (global creative director and lead anchor for Apple Music 1) and Ebro Darden (global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B), generated a list of candidates from the past 65 years.

“This list isn’t a popularity contest,” Darden said. “We challenged everyone to not vote based on your favourites. You’re invited into the panel because you have music knowledge beyond what you listen to when you’re on the elliptical machine.”

Members from Apple Music’s internal team submitted their personal lists of albums through the company’s voting microsite. The votes were weighted according to an album’s placement – the higher the ranking, the more votes assigned.

Apple Music used the same voting methodology for a select group external voters that included artistes, songwriters, producers and some media.

1. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

DARDEN: We’re really leaning on what she did on this album. The songwriting, what she shared, what was happening in her life that she effectively put in the music. The fact that she just became a mother. All the R&B vibes. The Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway along with D’Angelo’s Nothing Even Matters. The social commentary in Doo Wop (That Thing). It’s hip-hop. It’s R&B. It’s got a dancehall element. It’s a powerful woman being independent and being like “Yo, I got something to say.” And oh by the way, the son she’s singing about on the album is Bob Marley’s grandson ... It checks so many boxes.

2. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)

LOWE: It’s the greatest blockbuster album ever. I think everyone I’ve spoken to about this list automatically assumes that it’s going to be No. 1. That’s because we’ve spent decade after decade seeing it basically No. 1. It came out during a time period when music was the top entertainment in the world. People were desperate for this Michael Jackson record even more than going to see a movie. Thriller is an incredible record.

3. The Beatles, Abbey Road (1969)

DARDEN: Abbey Road has taken on a more modern life of its own in the social media space with TikTok. Maybe that’s why it landed so high. When you go song for song on Abbey Road, I think it musically represents a happy time for the Beatles.

4. Prince and the Revolution, Purple Rain (1984)

DARDEN: I love that it was a black artiste making soulful rock and pop records. I loved the movie. It’s phenomenal memories. I’m a big Prince fan, so I’m happy this got the votes. I think Purple Rain lives on in (iconic fashion).

5. Frank Ocean, blond (2016)

LOWE: I had this higher than five. I simply adore this album. I feel like Frank is like Prince. He is like Michael. He is like Lauryn. He is like Marvin (Gaye). He is like Radiohead. He is the great outliers who found a way into our hearts on a massive scale.

B6 top right caption (1) fashion designer Jackie Cohen (2) social commentator Mutabaruka Lauryn Hill caption - del comma at 2023