The All-Time Top-Sellers Association (ATTS) project was launched in January 2020 with the aim of tracking the best-selling albums across all genres and years. The project also determines albums that are essential for hip hop and R&B music fans to possess. So, in order to find the best album to back with a punt on the all-time top ten, we need to look into their criteria.
Importance Of Albums In Shaping The Soul Of A Generation
Traditionally, album sales have declined in relevance in modern day music. However, the emergence of music streaming platforms has seen an increase in the importance of albums in shaping the soul of a generation. Just looking at the top ten bestselling albums in the UK suggests that this is certainly the case, with seven of the ten albums being from the streaming era. In fact, looking at the entire top fifty of the all-time bestselling albums in the UK illustrates that a massive 56% of them are from the streaming era. This is a significant increase from the UK’s music industry, which saw album sales decline by 23% between 2011 and 2019.
The streaming era has also seen the rise of album criticism, with music fans looking to express their opinions on songs and albums to guide the creation of their perfect playlists. As a result, albums that were previously ignored by critics and the general public alike are now being recognised for their timeless quality and aesthetic innovation. Here are ten of the most essential albums for the hip hop and R&B music fan.
10. Dazzling – Beyonce
In December 2019, Beyoncé’s album Dazzling became the best-selling album of all time, with the global album selling an incredible 4.5 million copies in just its first week of release. Although it had been touted as a Christmas record, the album sold better in the summer, particularly in the US. Since its release, the album has shifted over 7 million copies globally and debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart. Dazzling is also the first Beyoncé album to feature guest appearances from Kanye West and Lil Wayne. The album’s lead single 1922 was the most streamed song globally in 2019 and earned the artist a Grammy for Best Music Video.
9. Humble – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s Humble album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in March 2019, shortly after its release. The album is the artist’s eighth studio album and the follow-up to 2018’s Reputation. Humble is also the first Taylor Swift album to feature guest appearances from artists such as Ed Sheeran, John Legend and Travis Scott. The album’s lead single ME was the most streamed song globally in 2019 and became the anthem of the NFL’s New York Jets, helping them to a 41-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on 16 March 2019.
8. Black – Beyonce
Beyonce’s eighth studio album Black debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in October 2018. On the day of its release, the album sold 450,000 copies in its first week of availability in America alone, becoming the fastest-selling album in the country in the process. Black is also the first solo album by Beyoncé, who collaborated with producers including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, James Taylor and Jack White on the album. The album is named after the African-American race and features 14 tracks, all of which are described as being “soulful and stunning” by The New York Times. Most noticeably, the album features the global hit Formation, which was produced with Jay-Z. Black has since gone on to become Beyonce’s second album to reach number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart, following 2013’s Beyonce.
7. Lemonade – Beyonce
In April 2016, Beyonce released her seventh studio album Lemonade. The album was met with critical acclaim and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, shifting 7 million copies globally in its first week of sale. It was, in part, this critical acclaim that helped to make Lemonade a landmark album, as many publications named it as one of the best albums of all time, with The Guardian dubbing it as Beyoncé’s “masterpiece”. “Formation” was again nominated for a Grammy and holds the record for the most weeks on the Top 40 chart. Since its release, Lemonade has gone on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide and become one of the best-selling albums of all time in multiple territories.
6. Purpose – Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods’ sixth studio album Purpose debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in March 2019, after its release. The album is the former golf star’s first release of new material in over a decade and features guest appearances from artists such as Kanye West, John Legend and Travis Scott. The album’s lead single Nice featuring Kanye West became a viral hit and earned Woods a Grammy for Best Music Video. The album was produced by Kanye West and a host of other high-profile producers such as Mark Ronson, Frank Dutreil, Mike Dean, Noah “40” Shebib and more. Purpose is also the best-selling digital album of all time, shifting 5 million copies globally in its first week of availability.
5. Born – Adele
Adele’s album Born debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in April 2018, following its release. The album is the English singer-songwriter’s third studio album and the follow-up to 2017’s 25. Born is also Adele’s first album to feature collaborations with artists such as Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber and John Legend. Like many of her previous studio albums, Adele worked with a range of high profile producers including Joel Little, Jeff Bokunza and Ludwig Goransson.
The album’s first single Send was met with global acclaim and became one of the best-selling songs in Spotify history, reportedly having been listened to 10 million times in its first week alone. In September 2018, “Send” won the 2018 UK Songwriting Prize, while in December 2018, the song earned Adele a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance.
4. Blank – Ariana Grande
Grande’s fourth studio album Blank debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in September 2019, following its release. The album is Grande’s first release of new material since completing her Juno movie at the end of 2018. Like many of her previous studio albums, Blank is a mixture of pop, R&B and rock tunes, along with a few darker tracks. The album’s lead single Bold features guest appearances from artists including Kendrick Lamar and SZA. It also marks the first collaboration between Grande and producer Jack White, who produced five of Blank’s ten tracks. White, who was initially approached to work with Kendrick Lamar, said of working with Grande: ‘I remember hearing her voice on Run Through and being like “Damn, this girl can sing!” It made me want to work with her even more because I knew it would be a good fit’.”
3. Black – Ricky Taylor
Ricky Taylor’s third studio album Black debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Albums chart in August 2019, following its release. The album is the US soul singer-songwriter’s first offering of new material in over a decade and is, in part, inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic which Taylor witnessed first-hand whilst in New York City. Black is also the best-selling album of Taylor’s career, with 300,000 copies shifted in its first week of sale. The album’s lead single Hotline serves as Taylor’s comeback single after being sidelined for nearly two years due to complications arising from Crohn’s disease. The album also features appearances from artists including SZA and Ludwig Goransson, with Taylor commenting: “I’m so happy that all my friends and family can now see and hear me live. I hope this album can inspire and energise people during these challenging times.”