100 Best Albums Radio

100 Best Albums Radio Podcast

Welcome to 100 Best Albums Radio, where we reveal our definitive list of the greatest albums ever made. Assembled with the help of artists and experts, it’s a love letter to the records that have shaped the world we live and listen in. Below you’ll find the official countdown, daily radio episodes with our hosts’ reactions, and stories behind each of the albums. Dive in, (re)discover some classics, and see if your favorite albums made our list.

  1. The Story of No. 1: Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Extended Preview)

    22 MAY

    The Story of No. 1: Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Extended Preview)

    On this deep dive into Lauryn Hill’s masterpiece The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis unpacks the story and legacy of the album voted No. 1 on Apple Music’s definitive list of the 100 Best albums of all time. In this excerpt, Nadeska learns the emotional story behind “To Zion," Lauryn Hill’s ode to her newborn son. Nadeska finds out why, when Lauryn was told to “use her head," she chose to “use her heart” instead. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped on August 25, 1998, and changed everything. It’s a deeply personal collection of songs that document a time of major change in a young artist’s life. The album not only expanded the sound of hip hop, it massively extended its reach as well: Miseducation has been credited for helping to push hip hop firmly into the mainstream all over the globe. But, as we hear in this podcast, it’s an album that might never have been released. In this series, Apple Music subscribers can hear the remarkable story behind this groundbreaking and culture-shifting album, find out the truth behind the blistering opening track “Lost Ones,” discover what happened behind the scenes at Bob Marley’s studio in Jamaica, and learn how the album helped launch the career of another music superstar. Contributors include: Jayson Jackson, Lauryn Hill’s former manager Dr Joan Morgan, hip hop journalist and author of She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Commissioner Gordon Williams, the album’s engineer and production supervisor Music stars including H.E.R., Rapsody, Dua Lipa and John Legend

    8 min

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  • On his namesake show and New Music Daily, Apple Music 1’s flagship shows, host Zane Lowe brings users unparalleled music knowledge with headline interviews, breaking news, and emerging music from around the globe every day. It’s become the world’s go-to for the best brand-new music, sure, but it’s also popular music’s premier confessional booth: Day after day, Zane—who’s also Apple Music’s global creative director and co-head of artist relations—gets the biggest, most elusive superstars, from Justin Bieber to Taylor Swift to Kanye West, to let their guards down—laughs, tears, and news-making quotes are the norm. “I’m a curious person, I ask questions, and I guess if I'm passionate about something, I'll talk about it and engage people about it. I want to start a conversation and learn,” Zane explains of his approach. “Because the more you share, the more you learn, and vice versa. It’s just a circle that keeps spinning.” Zane earns guests’ trust with a music obsessive’s curiosity and enthusiasm, compassionate questioning, and firsthand music knowledge of life as an artist—he started his music career recording and performing, and continues to write, produce, and record. “The artist side of it, that really drives what I do,” he explains. “I'm not a conventional media-type personality. I’m no good at being a host, really. I'm not a journalist. I don't write, I'm not a writer. What I do is feel and translate.” Check out Zane on The Zane Lowe Show every Monday through Thursday on Apple Music 1 at 9 am LA/12 pm NYC/5 pm LDN and New Music Daily every Friday at 9 am LA, 12 pm NY, and 5 pm LDN.

  • A defining character of New York’s music scene and a trusted voice in hip-hop, Apple Music 1 host Ebro Darden brings the city's urgent mix of music and culture to the world. “When I hear something with real heart and energy,” he says, “I want everyone to hear it.” Ebro splits his time at Apple Music as host of his namesake show and Rap Life Radio and global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B, genres in which Apple Music has proved dominant. A longtime fixture in New York radio, he brings a five-boroughs outlook to Apple Music 1’s global audience, but in a way that incorporates both music from all over the African diaspora and Black culture’s worldwide impact. Shot in Apple Music’s studio near Manhattan’s Union Square, The Ebro Show “has a New York City lens, but because New York City is an international city, we embrace a lot of different cultures,” Ebro—who grew up in the Bay Area but has called New York home for decades—explains. “We lean heavily on rap, but hip-hop is a very international music, so through there comes what's going on in Africa, what's going on in the UK, what's going on in Latin America, what's going on in Australia, what's going on in Asia. I don't know of any show that plays as much Caribbean music as we play.” But the show doesn’t only touch on music. “I don’t shy away from talking about social issues as it pertains to the community, specifically Black and brown people,” Ebro adds. “I try to find records that speak to that, music that speaks to that.” Tune in to hear Ebro on The Ebro Show every Monday through Thursday at 12 pm LA/3 pm NY/8 pm LDN and on Rap Life Radio every Friday at 10 am LA/1 pm NY/6 pm LDN.

  • Since 2011, Soulection has been a global creative hub for innovative musicians, crate-digging DJs, and open-minded fans. What began as an independent radio show has blossomed into a worldwide community united in a borderless, genre-bending musical movement. It’s a testament to Soulection staying true to its roots in the age of digital music, from putting out independent releases with producers such as Ta-ku, Sango, Dpat, and Atu to being the first collective invited to play Coachella. Today, Soulection exists as an Apple Music show, an independent music label, a festival (Soulection Experience), and a world-touring concert and clothing line. Soulection Radio is now airing on Apple Music 1 Sundays 9 am LA | 12 pm NY | 5 pm LDN | #SoulectionSundays

  • Toronto-born George “Strombo” Stroumboulopoulos firmly believes in standing up for what’s right and helping others—and sees music as a conduit that brings people together and helps them become more engaged. “I love politically charged, heavy music,” Strombo says. “I love when music uses its energy to fight for others and help its own audience to learn and grow.” As host of STROMBO on Apple Music Hits, Strombo brings over three decades of music knowledge and on-the-mic experience—whether working at a pirate radio station in the ’90s, discovering underground talent on MuchMusic’s The NewMusic in the early 2000s, holding down The Strombo Show on CBC Music, or, more recently, welcoming us into his House of Strombo for intimate live sessions with some of the world’s most storied performers. On his namesake Apple Music Hits show, he hopes to continue to bridge the gap between artist and listener. “One of the things the show leans into is making connections between the artist you know and love and the artists that they know and love,” he says. “[It’s] strong storytelling underscoring why this music matters.” Join him on Apple Music Hits Monday through Thursday and Sunday, when he brings great music, personal stories, and artist interviews to STROMBO Radio.

  • One of K-pop’s hottest octets now has its own show on Apple Music 1. Hosted by Bang Chan and Felix, All About Stray Kids Radio gives listeners an inside look into the boy band and their highly anticipated comeback album. Over the course of four episodes, the two band members will share their favorite music, inspirations, and stories about their lives before becoming Stray Kids, plus they’ll invite their bandmates to join as guests.

  • Germany is HYPED. The Apple Music radio show accompanying the playlist of the same name is the place where Hip-Hop is lived, loved and celebrated. It’s hosted by Aria Nejati, who has called the scene his home since receiving a copy of the first 50 Cent album from his mum aged 9. As one of the most respected hip-hop tastemakers in the country he has amongst others met Ufo361, Nimo and Juju. Every Wednesday HYPED will feature the country’s rap tracks, hand-picked insider tipps, interviews with No. 1 artists of today and tomorrow and show all aspects of German rap. Who’s in and who’s out right now? Listen to Aria, listen to HYPED.

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About

Welcome to 100 Best Albums Radio, where we reveal our definitive list of the greatest albums ever made. Assembled with the help of artists and experts, it’s a love letter to the records that have shaped the world we live and listen in. Below you’ll find the official countdown, daily radio episodes with our hosts’ reactions, and stories behind each of the albums. Dive in, (re)discover some classics, and see if your favorite albums made our list.

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