Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list has sparked celebration and debate over time, but there’s even more to the story.
Beyond the rankings are the records that truly shaped the culture which TV host and music journalist Allison Hagendorf explores in a brand new episode of her YouTube series.
From Michael Jackson’s Thriller, to Prince’s Purple Rain, to Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Hagendorf runs through 13 albums on the 500 list that redefined pop, hip-hop, funk, R&B, and cultural storytelling.
“Back in 2003, the music world was at a crossroads. Digital downloads were on the rise, iTunes had taken over and traditional record sales were crashing hard,” Hagendorf said.
“The [500 Greatest Albums of all time list] wasn’t just a ranking. It was a statement. It was a way of saying albums still matter. Even as the industry was chasing speed and convenience, this list stood up for the album as a cohesive work of art.”
Check out the new episode below.
