Billboard Reveals the 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010s
As the decade comes to a close, Billboard is revealing its 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010s.
The magazine’s staff has compiled a list of their favorite albums from 2010-2019—from Bruno and Bowie to Katy Perry and Kendrick Lamar.
Kanye West’s 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy lands at No. 1. “MBDTF is the sound of an artist — using the studio as a palette — grappling with his contradictions, unhappiness and the carnal diversions he turns to as an all-too-brief balm for the uncertain soul,” writes Billboard.
Beyoncé’s Lemonade earns the runner-up spot. “From accusatory opener ‘Pray You Catch Me’ to the rallying call of ‘Formation,’ a fearless Beyoncé revealed her mastery of weaving together multiple genres and insightful lyrics,” says the magazine.
Frank Ocean’s “first masterpiece” Channel Orange ranks at No. 3, followed by Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly at No. 5.
Rihanna’s Anti also makes the cut at No. 7, along with Ariana Grande’s Thank U Next at No. 8. Adele’s 21 rounds out the top 10.
The top 20 is populated by modern-day classics including Beyoncé’s 2013 surprise drop (No. 11), Cardi B’s debut Invasion of Privacy (No. 13), Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city (No. 15), Drake’s Take Care (No. 16), Solange’s A Seat at the Table (No. 17), and The Weeknd’s House of Balloons (No. 20).
The late Mac Miller’s Swimming earns a place at No. 70, along with Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap at No. 94.
See the top 20 below and the full list here.
Billboard Greatest Albums of the 2010s
1. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Beyoncé – Lemonade
3. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
4. Taylor Swift – Red
5. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
6. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
7. Rihanna – Anti
8. Ariana Grande – Thank U Next
9. Robyn – Body Talk
10. Adele – 21
11. Beyoncé – Beyonce
12. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
13. Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
14. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
15. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
16. Drake – Take Care
17. Solange – A Seat at the Table
18. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City
19. Taylor Swift – 1989
20. The Weeknd – House of Balloons