LOS ANGELES. The debate over the greatest music albums of all time has taken a new turn, as Apple Music announced its top ten greatest albums on Wednesday, with Lauryn Hill’s 1998 classic, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” clinching the number one spot.

Hill’s debut album triumphed over iconic records from music legends such as Beyoncé, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, and Nirvana. Reflecting on the honor, Hill stated, “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.”

Apple Music’s announcement was the climax of a ten-day countdown, unveiling their inaugural list of the 100 best albums. Only five artists, including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Radiohead, and Beyoncé, had two albums featured on the full list.

The selection process began months ago with Apple Music’s editorial team, comprised of editors and music experts such as Zane Lowe, the global creative director and lead anchor for Apple Music 1, and Ebro Darden, the global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B. This team generated a list of candidates from the past 65 years.

“This list isn’t a popularity contest,” Darden explained. “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 Music’s internal team and a select group of external voters, including artists, songwriters, producers, and media members, submitted their personal lists through the company’s voting microsite. Votes were weighted based on an album’s ranking, with higher placements receiving more votes.

Here are the top ten albums according to Apple Music:

1. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” (1998)
   • Darden praised Hill’s work: “We’re really leaning on what she did on this album. The songwriting, what she shared, what was happening in her life… 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.'”
2. Michael Jackson, “Thriller” (1982)
   • Lowe noted, “It’s the greatest blockbuster album ever… ‘Thriller’ is an incredible record. The whole thing is dialed in. But it didn’t bug me that Lauryn came in at No. 1 and ‘Thriller’ landed at No. 2.”
3. The Beatles, “Abbey Road” (1969)
   • Darden commented, “‘Abbey Road’ has taken on a more modern life of its own in the social media space with TikTok. It musically represents a happy time for the Beatles.”
4. Prince and the Revolution, “Purple Rain” (1984)
   • Darden shared, “I love that it was a Black artist making soulful rock and pop records… I think ‘Purple Rain’ lives on in iconic fashion.”
5. Frank Ocean, “blond” (2016)
   • Lowe expressed, “I had this higher than five. I simply adore this album… Every time I put it on, it moves me different every single time.”
6. Stevie Wonder, “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976)
   • Lowe highlighted, “It starts with a message, and it ends with a time to process everything that’s happened in between.”
7. Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (2012)
   • Darden remarked, “It was his debut album… He created opportunities for him and his friends to survive.”
8. Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black” (2006)
   • Lowe noted, “It’s one of the most tasteful albums about heartache ever recorded.”
9. Nirvana, “Nevermind” (1991)
   • Lowe said, “This album was the start of me being able to sit down and have a conversation about anxiety and depression.”
10. Beyoncé, “Lemonade” (2016)
    • Darden reflected, “This was the first time we got to see Beyoncé’s personal life… It was a big deal.”

With this comprehensive list, Apple Music has sparked fresh discussions on the greatest albums of all time, celebrating the diversity and depth of musical artistry over the past several decades.