Music From the 2020s: History's Best Sellers

Make way for the hits of 2020s! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate music. Crowd-pleasers such as Whole Lotta Red shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers 30 and Impera. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Playboi Carti and Adele, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Whole Lotta Red

   Released in 2020 by Playboi Carti, AWGE, Interscope Records

   On December 25, 2020, after years of anticipation, leaks, and feverish online speculation, rapper Playboi Carti finally released his second studio album, "Whole Lotta Red." The Christmas Day drop was an unconventional but brilliant move, capturing the undivided attention of a global audience during the holiday break. For over two years, the album had been a near-mythical project, with fans piecing together snippets and building a massive culture of hype. Its release wasn't just a music event; it was a cultural phenomenon that immediately dominated social media discourse, making for one of the most memorable and chaotic Christmas gifts in recent music history.

2. 30

   Released in 2021 by Adele

   On November 19, 2021, the music world came to a standstill for the release of Adele's fourth studio album, "30". Arriving six years after her record-shattering album "25", the anticipation was immense. The album was launched into a post-pandemic world hungry for major cultural events, and Adele delivered one of the most significant musical moments of the decade. The release date was strategically chosen for the holiday shopping season, but its timing also felt personal, marking a new chapter for the artist following her widely publicized divorce. It was framed not just as an album, but as an emotional event, a story she needed to tell her son and the world.

3. Impera

   Released in 2022 by Tobias Forge, Loma Vista Recordings

   On March 11, 2022, the Swedish rock band Ghost unleashed their fifth studio album, 'Impera,' upon the world. Released through Loma Vista Recordings, the album arrived amidst high anticipation from the band's ever-growing global fanbase. The date marked a significant moment in modern rock and metal, launching an album that would not only dominate charts worldwide but also earn critical acclaim, including a Grammy Award. 'Impera' continued the band's elaborate storytelling, this time exploring themes of the rise and fall of empires, all packaged within their signature blend of arena rock bombast, heavy metal riffs, and irresistibly catchy melodies, solidifying their status as one of the 21st century's most important rock acts.