Apple Music’s top 100 albums of all time sparks fan debate as Michael Jackson misses out on top spot

apple music’s top 100 albums of all time sparks fan debate as michael jackson misses out on top spot

apple music the beatles taylor swift michael jackson

Apple Music has released its inaugural list of the 100 best albums of all time – and the results have sparked debate.

Last week, the streaming company kicked off its 10-day countdown, covering the last 65 years of music, with its top 10 released on Wednesday (22 May).

Albums by Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Beyoncé, Prince, Nirvana, Kendrick Lamar, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder and Frank Ocean all made the top 10.

However, Lauryn Hill’s 1998 classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill took the top spot.

The results were simultaneously celebrated and derided by online commenters who passionately debated the outcome.

“Thriller should be number one, it’s an all time great and classic! Yes, Lauryn Hill was good but the star power, influence on the culture and longevity of MJ’s THRILLER is forever!” wrote one fan questioning the listing.

Others disagreed as they celebrated, “Lauryn Hill is the legend! She deserves this position! Congrats!”

Hill shared her reaction to the accolade after receiving the news with a statement shared through Apple Music. “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,” the “Ex-Factor” singer said.

Hill’s crowning wasn’t the only cause for debate as fans questioned the choice to place Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) above The Beach Boys’ 1966 hit album Pet Sounds.

As well as this, Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019) placing higher than Nina Simone’s 1965 record I Put A Spell On You also split fans.

To compile this ranking, 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 of external voters that included artists, songwriters, producers and some media.

“This list isn’t a popularity contest,” said Ebro Darden, Apple Music’s global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B.

“We challenged everyone to not vote based on your favorites. You’re invited into the panel because you have music knowledge beyond what you listen to when you’re on the elliptical machine.”

Apple’s top 10 albums of all time are listed below, with the complete list available here.

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

2. Thriller by Michael Jackson (1982)

3. Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969)

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

5. Blond by Frank Ocean (2016)

6. Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976)

7. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar (2012)

8. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (2006)

9. Nevermind by Nirvana (1991)

10. Lemonade by Beyoncé (2016)

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

OTHER NEWS

19 minutes ago

Hynes axed as new-look Blues squad confirmed

19 minutes ago

England vs Serbia: Date, kick-off time and TV channel for Euro 2024 group-stage game

19 minutes ago

Is Poland v Netherlands on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2024 match today

19 minutes ago

As Boeing looks to buy a key 737 supplier, a whistleblower says the problems run deep

19 minutes ago

A Swiss museum will remove 5 paintings potentially looted by Nazis

20 minutes ago

UK Conservatives getting ‘smashed’ in the polls

26 minutes ago

GT Aston Martin Exits Le Mans In a Dramatic Rollover Crash

26 minutes ago

Fernando Alonso knows the moment it will be ‘bye bye’ from F1 for good

32 minutes ago

The Tory manifesto raises more questions than answers – here are 20 of the biggest

32 minutes ago

'This film is about a survivor': Alicia Vikander on playing Katherine Parr

32 minutes ago

Controversial finish in Collingwood and North Melbourne game, as Bobby Hill takes MOTY contender, and Giants down Power

32 minutes ago

THR Frontrunners Q&A With the Cast and Creators of 'Young Sheldon' | THR Video

32 minutes ago

'We'll hunt you': Trump, MAGA supporters' violent rhetoric isn't a glitch. It's a feature.

32 minutes ago

The big lie: why taxes are going up (no matter what the Tories or Labour say)

32 minutes ago

‘Star of the show’: DeChambeau firmly in driver’s seat to win second U.S. Open

32 minutes ago

‘Keep the coaches, change entire team’: Wasim Akram wants all players of Babar Azam-led Pakistan squad dropped

32 minutes ago

Donald Trump challenges Joe Biden to cognitive test but then forgets name of his own doctor

32 minutes ago

Lady Elliot Island boat capsize: Desperate search for missing man after boat overturned ends in tragedy off Queensland coast near Bundaberg after Life Flight winched a father and son to safety

35 minutes ago

Ashley Graham debuts children's book encouraging self-love, confidence

40 minutes ago

Video: Hundreds of Majorcans take over tiny picture postcard cove made famous by Instagram 'influencers' and unfurl banners reading 'SOS Residents' amid Spanish island's anti-tourism backlash against UK holidaymakers

40 minutes ago

Ukraine proves it can target the Russian air force's weakest link

40 minutes ago

Canada cricketers miss out on marquee matchup with India due to wet ground conditions

40 minutes ago

Luai praised as Origin awaits

40 minutes ago

'Good to go': Edwards, Luai shine in final NSW audition

40 minutes ago

Down 10% in a week! What’s wrong with the Legal & General Group share price?

40 minutes ago

Gary Neville hammered after naming England XI Southgate MUST pick for Euro 2024 opener

40 minutes ago

'Prison-cell' flat that costs £475 a month is like a sit-com set

40 minutes ago

Ox Nche makes the cut as Bulls dominate URC Team of the Season

40 minutes ago

Israel announces ‘pause’ along southern Gaza route to allow in aid but no let up in Rafah offensive

43 minutes ago

Thorpe Park’s Hyperia rollercoaster breaks down again leaving thrillseekers hanging at 236ft

45 minutes ago

Woman who spent 43 years behind bars has murder conviction overturned

45 minutes ago

"Pogacar seems unbeatable, so we must aim for stage victories": What can EF-boys Powless and Van den Berg pull off in the Tour?

45 minutes ago

Samantha Murphy: Cop makes bleak admission about the endless search for missing Ballarat mum after discovery by a dam renewed hopes of finding her body

45 minutes ago

Video: Married At First Sight's Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli's one-year-old son Lucius shares first words

45 minutes ago

Video: All the best videos from Trooping the Colour: Kate's great comeback, glimpses behind the scenes and Charlotte and Louis acting up

50 minutes ago

Sex attacker dubbed 'Coronation Street rapist' launches NEW parole bid - despite breaking rules when he was last released from jail

50 minutes ago

Jobless man, 60, who still lives with his mother smashed woman's windscreen with his fists in fit of rage after she turned her car around in his driveway

50 minutes ago

From AI-powered limb-tracking to a match ball with a chip inside: The futuristic technologies powering Euro 2024 in Germany this month, revealed

50 minutes ago

NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope captures closest super star cluster to Earth (image)

53 minutes ago

Happy Father's Day! Amanda Holden and Charlotte Crosby lead the stars marking the occasion with sweet family snaps and heartfelt tributes