Apple Music is turning 10, and the celebration is in full swing with a nostalgic and interactive tribute to a decade of music streaming. Back in 2015, Apple introduced Apple Music alongside iOS 8.4, and now, to honor its journey, the platform is rolling out a series of features and events that spotlight users’ listening history and the songs that defined the past ten years.
Starting July 1st, Apple Music is kicking off a countdown of the top 500 most streamed songs ever on the platform.
Each day, 100 songs will be revealed, building anticipation for the final top 100 list, which drops on July 5th. Alongside it, the “10 Years of Apple Music: Top Songs” playlist will go live, giving listeners a chance to relive their favorite tracks from the last decade.
Tonight, from 4 PM to 7 PM PDT (7 PM to 10 PM EDT), fans can tune into Live: 10 Years of Apple Music, a special live stream hosted by Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden. The event will feature appearances from major artists who have been integral to Apple Music’s identity since the beginning. Users can access the stream directly through the Apple Music app.
On top of that, Apple is enhancing its Replay feature. Previously, Replay showed users their most played songs each year, but now, Apple introduces Replay All Time – a dynamic playlist showcasing your top tracks since you first joined the service. It’s now available in the Home tab, offering a deep dive into your personal music history.
Zane Lowe reflected on Apple Music’s legacy, saying, “When we launched Beats 1, it was a leap of faith. Now, ten years later, Apple Music Radio has become the heart of global music culture.”
The celebration continues in Los Angeles, where Apple Music just opened a massive new studio. Spanning over 15,000 square feet across three floors, the facility includes:
- Two high-tech radio studios with Spatial Audio for immersive broadcasts and intimate interviews
- A 4,000-square-foot performance stage for live shows and fan events
- A cutting-edge Spatial Audio mixing room with a 9.2.4 PMC speaker setup
- Dedicated content creation areas, including a photo/social lab and green room
- Private booths for songwriting, podcasting, and interviews
- The A-List and Archive Corridors, showcasing memorable Apple Music moments
It all ties back to Apple’s game-changing acquisition of Beats for $3 billion in 2014 – the company’s most expensive purchase to date. From Beats Music’s humble 111,000 subscriber base to Apple Music’s current 103 million-strong global audience, the transformation is nothing short of historic.