Billboard #1 song of the year: "Too Close" by Next. Highest selling album was Believe by Cher. Grammys went to Lauryn Hill (album) and "My Heart Will Go On" for both song categories. Brandy and Monica "The Boy Is Mine" was #1 video on mtv.

Were they the best???

2pac - Changes
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
I'll Make A Man Out of You - Mulan soundtrack
Fastball - The Way
Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing
Elliott Smith - Waltz #2

Only album I really care about is Sheryl Crow: The Globe Sessions though would put a few from her ahead of it.

Have always thought of 98 as a weaker year but I think thats only because 1999 was so damn stacked. There's alot of understated gems in this bunch, even if a lot of these artists have better albums in other years.

So for albums I'd go:

1. Americana by The Offspring - undisputed winner for me and only 10/10.

2. System of a Down by System of a Down
3. Mos Def and Taleb Kwali are Black Star by Black Star
4. Hellbilly Deluxe by Rob Zombie
5. Mezzanine by Massive Attack
6. Hello Nasty by Beastie Boys
7. Aquemini - Outkast

-These are 9+ records. Again, a nice mix of albums you don't hear enough about. Black Star and Massive Attack totally flew on my radar until later in life.

Then, in no particular order, a bunch of 8s:

Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - maybe a bit overrated as apples #1 album ever, but a totally solid pick for the grammy.
Diabolus in Musica by Slayer
Follow The Leader by Korn
Mechanical Animal by Marilyn Manson - 3 albums showing nu metal hitting its stride
Vol 2, The Life and Times by Jay-Z
Its Dark and Hell Is Hot by DMX - still in the golden age of hip-hop
Version 2.0 by Garbage
Yield by Pearl Jam - these two don't really connect with each other but they all that's left

Will update as I remember / listen to new stuff.