Apple Music’s No. 1 album is Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The placement is the result of Apple Music’s editorial ranking—not an objective or universal verdict on the greatest albums, and not a ranking of its most-streamed records.
What are Apple Music’s 100 best albums of all time?
Apple Music’s inaugural 100 Best Albums list ranks 100 records selected by the service’s editors and invited music-industry contributors. Apple revealed the ranking in May 2024 through a ten-day countdown, unveiling ten albums each day. The complete official ranking includes album stories and supporting editorial material.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Classic Albums Collection | $12.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Abba Gold: Greatest Hits | $13.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Greatest Seventies Album / Various | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The Doors - A Collection | $26.29 | Buy on Amazon |
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Here are the ten highest-ranked albums, in order:
| Rank | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | Lauryn Hill |
| 2 | Thriller | Michael Jackson |
| 3 | Abbey Road | The Beatles |
| 4 | Purple Rain | Prince |
| 5 | Blonde | Frank Ocean |
| 6 | Songs in the Key of Life | Stevie Wonder |
| 7 | good kid, m.A.A.d city | Kendrick Lamar |
| 8 | Back to Black | Amy Winehouse |
| 9 | Nevermind | Nirvana |
| 10 | Lemonade | Beyoncé |
Apple’s May 22, 2024 announcement confirms the top ten. The official ranking page is the place to check all 100 placements.
How did Apple Music choose the albums?
Apple described the list as the work of its experts alongside selected artists, songwriters, producers, and other music professionals. Contributors named in its launch announcement included Maren Morris, Pharrell Williams, J Balvin, Charli XCX, Mark Hoppus, Honey Dijon, and Nia Archives. Apple also said the ranking was independent of Apple Music streaming numbers.
#1 Best Overall
The Associated Press provided more detail on the voting process in its May 22, 2024 report. It reported that Apple Music editors and music experts assembled candidates from the preceding 65 years. Internal team members and a selected group of outside voters submitted ranked album lists through a voting microsite; higher placements counted more heavily. AP quoted Apple Music editorial head Ebro Darden saying, “This list isn’t a popularity contest,” and reported that voters were asked not to choose only their personal favorites.
Why is Lauryn Hill’s album No. 1?
Apple placed Hill’s 1998 solo debut at the top of its ranking. Its announcement quoted Hill describing the recognition as collective: “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.” That response reflects the album’s collaborative story; it does not turn an editorial ranking into a universal consensus.
Rank #2
- Greatest Hits by ABBA
Where can you explore the full list?
Apple’s 100 Best Albums page presents all 100 placements, with in-depth album analysis and archival interviews. The Apple Music curator page collects related radio episodes and stories. Apple also announced an Apple Books space featuring titles by and about artists on the list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you interpret the ranking?
Read it as Apple Music’s considered editorial view of albums it regards as significant, rather than as a sales chart, streaming leaderboard, or settled measure of musical greatness. If you compare it with another “best albums” list, first check who chose the records, what period and genres were considered, how votes were counted, and what “best” means in that ranking. Lists made by a public poll or based on sales answer different questions from Apple’s panel-led selection.
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