10 Best Posthumous Albums

Life is unpredictable, and the world of music is not exempt from the uncertainties that come with it. When artists pass away, they often leave behind a treasure trove of unfinished and unreleased works. In response to this, record labels have introduced the concept of posthumous albums, allowing fans to celebrate the lives and enjoy the artistic legacies of their favorite musicians. Beyond emotional value, these albums have proven to be commercially successful, attaining impressive chart rankings and album sales. This article delves into the top 10 posthumous albums, each a testament to the enduring impact of musicians even after their untimely demise.

Table of Contents

10. Yeeeah Baby – Big Pun

Billboard Chart Peak: Number 3

Date Released: April 4, 2000 | Units Sold To Date: 1 Million | Certified (US): Platinum

Big Pun, revered as one of the finest emcees, rose to fame in the Bronx’s underground hip-hop scene. His posthumous album, Yeeeah Baby, released after his death in 2000, became platinum-certified with a strong debut on the Billboard 200, boasting 179,000 first-week sales. A testament to his enduring influence on the rap scene.

9. Genius Loves Company – Ray Charles

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Date Released: August 31, 2004 | Units Sold To Date: 4,470,602 | Certified (US): 3x Platinum

Ray Charles, a legendary soul musician, surprised the world posthumously with Genius Loves Company in 2004. This triple-platinum album explored various genres, earning Charles a posthumous Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Record of the Year. A fitting tribute to his versatile musical prowess.

8. Lioness: Hidden Treasures – Amy Winehouse

Billboard Chart Peak: Number Five

Date Released: December 2, 2011 | Units Sold To Date: 1,934,000 | Certified (US): 409,000 Soundscan

Amy Winehouse, a controversial yet immensely talented artist, bid farewell through Lioness: Hidden Treasures. This compilation of unreleased songs and demos not only sold over 1.9 million units but also contributed to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, showcasing the power of posthumous albums to support charitable causes.

7. Dreaming of You – Selena

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Date Released: July 18, 1995 | Units Sold To Date: 3,590,000 | Certification (US): 59x Platinum

Selena, the iconic Tejano artist, made history posthumously with Dreaming of You, becoming the first singer with a predominantly Spanish-language album to debut atop the US Billboard 200. The album expanded Selena’s reach, earning her accolades and awards beyond her lifetime.

6. MTV Unplugged In New York – Nirvana

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Date Released: October 31, 1994 | Units Sold To Date: 12,779,430 | Certification (US): 8x Platinum

Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged In New York stands as a hauntingly beautiful posthumous album. Released after Kurt Cobain’s tragic suicide in 1994, the acoustic versions of Nirvana’s classics earned the band a Grammy, their only one. A poignant reminder of Cobain’s artistic brilliance.

5. Milk And Honey – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Billboard Chart Peak: Number Eleven

Date Released: January 19, 1984 | Units Sold To Date: 763,600 | Certification (US): 1x Gold

Before John Lennon’s untimely murder in 1980, he and Yoko Ono recorded Milk and Honey. This posthumous album, featuring singles like “Nobody Told Me” and “Borrowed Time,” offers a glimpse into Lennon’s final artistic expressions, leaving an indelible mark on music history.

4. Xscape – Michael Jackson

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Date Released: May 9, 2014 | Units Sold To Date: 1,124,724 | Certification (US): 1x Gold

Michael Jackson’s controversial death in 2009 paved the way for Xscape, his sophomore posthumous album. Featuring unreleased songs from 1980 to 1999, the album includes collaborations with Justin Timberlake and Paul Anka, reaffirming Jackson’s enduring impact on the music industry.

3. Circles – Mac Miller

Billboard Chart Peak: Number Three

Date Released: January 17, 2020 | Units Sold To Date: 570,000 | Certification (US): 1x Gold

Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller’s untimely passing led to the completion and release of Circles in 2020. Complementing his previous album Swimming, Circles showcases Miller’s artistic evolution, earning a place on numerous year-end must-listen albums lists.

2. The Don Killuminati – 2Pac/Makaveli

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Date Released: November 5, 1996 | Units Sold To Date: 4,150,000 | Certification (US): 4x Platinum

Released two months after 2Pac’s death in 1996, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory introduced the world to Makaveli, showcasing a new facet of Tupac’s artistry. Despite subsequent posthumous releases, this album remains a grand artistic statement, solidifying 2Pac’s impact on the rap scene.

1. Life After Death – The Notorious B.I.G.

Billboard Chart Peak: Number One

Release Date: March 25, 1997 | Units Sold To Date: 6,890,000 | Certification (US): 11x Platinum

The Notorious B.I.G.’s second and final double album, Life After Death, cements his legacy in the hip-hop Mount Rushmore. Released posthumously, the album exemplifies B.I.G.’s influence in the mafioso rap community, serving as a poignant continuation of his previous album, “Ready to Die.” Though his career was short-lived, his impact endures.

Conclusion

Posthumous albums are more than musical collections; they are tributes to the enduring influence and creative brilliance of artists who left us too soon. From the emotional resonance of Amy Winehouse’s Lioness: Hidden Treasures to the bold artistic statement of 2Pac’s The Don Killuminati, each album on this list tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of musicians who continue to captivate audiences, even beyond the grave.

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