Millennial Artists Top Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums Of 2017
Rolling Stone shined the spotlight on a new generation of musicians: the Millennials.
In its annual list of Top 50 albums, the magazine's staff members compiled the list that includes a diverse group of artists and bands from a plethora of musical genres.
3 Out Of 5
Rap superstar Kendrick Lamar's DAMN took the top spot on the countdown. The 14-track album featured collaborations with Rihanna ("Loyalty") and U2 ("XXX") and was considered to be both a critic and fan favorite record. Lamar nearly tied Jay-Z, whose own studio album 4:44 charted at the 12th spot on the countdown, with seven Grammy Nominations to the rap mogul's eight.
New Zealander Lorde's highly anticipated sophomore album, Melodrama, received second billing in the countdown. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter worked with famed producer Jack Antonoff and created a quality album that featured singles such as "Green Light," "Homemade Dynamite," "Liability," and "Perfect Places."
Kesha's third studio album, Rainbow, triumphantly marked her return to the music world after a well-documented court battle with former mentor and producer Dr. Luke. The fourth album on Rolling Stone's countdown featured hit singles such as "Praying" and "Hymn." The album also included collaborations with a diverse group of artists such as the Dap-Kings Horns ("Woman"), Dolly Parton ("Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)"), and Eagles of Death Metal ("Let 'Em Talk"). The only two non-millennial acts that made this year's Top Five was U2, whose latest album, Songs of Experience, was placed at number three and LCD Soundsystem's American Dream, which rounded out the Top Five.
Power Players Round Out Top 10
Four unique millennial artists shared their unique views of the world this year and Rolling Stone rewarded them with places on this countdown.
Teen phenom Khalid earned the sixth spot on the countdown by expressing his life growing up as an American Teen. Taylor Swift's highly rated Reputation, which dealt with her many rivalries and her life in the tabloids, earned her the seventh spot on their list.
Atlanta hip-hop trio Migos's sophomore studio album, Culture, which Rolling Stone reportedly earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album and won the magazine list's ninth spot. Sam Smith's The Thrill of It All rounded out the countdown at number ten. Rock group Queens of the Stone Age was the only non-millennial act to join this group as their album Villains took the eight spot in the countdown.
Other millennial artists and albums that were profiled in the Top 20 were Ed Sheeran's Divide, Waxahatchee's Out in the Storm, Courtney Barnett + Kurt Vile's Lotta Sea Lice, Margo Price's All American Made, Harry Styles's self-titled debut,St. Vincent's Masseducation, Father John Misty's Pure Comedy, and SZA's Ctrl.
