Billboard Reveals the Top Songwriters of the 21st Century

Billboard has released its list of the best songwriters of the 21st century, highlighting the artists and producers behind some of the biggest hits since 2000. The first quarter of the century has seen 327 songs reach number one on the Hot 100, and these songwriters have played a major role in shaping modern pop music.

At number ten is Bruno Mars, who has written nine Hot 100 number-one hits. His collaboration with Mark Ronson on Uptown Funk! spent 14 weeks at the top beginning January 17, 2015, making it one of the most successful songs of the decade.

Coming in at number nine is Cirkut, also credited with nine chart-toppers. One of his most notable hits was Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B, which led the Hot 100 for seven weeks starting September 29, 2018.

At number eight is Shellback, who has ten number-one hits as a writer. He co-wrote Maroon 5’s One More Night, which dominated the charts for nine weeks starting September 29, 2012.

Songwriting duo Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen, better known as Stargate, are ranked seven and six respectively. Each has ten number-one hits. Their work includes Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable, which spent ten weeks at number one beginning December 16, 2006.

Beyoncé herself is ranked fifth on the list, with 11 Hot 100 number-one songs. One of her early successes as a writer was Destiny’s Child’s Independent Women Part I, which stayed at number one for 11 weeks starting November 18, 2000.

Taylor Swift takes the fourth spot with 12 chart-topping hits. Her song Anti-Hero led the Hot 100 for eight weeks beginning November 5, 2022, showing her continued dominance in modern pop music.

Drake comes in third, credited as a writer on 14 number-one songs. His 2018 hit God’s Plan ruled the charts for 11 weeks starting February 3 of that year.

The second spot belongs to Dr. Luke, who has written 18 Hot 100 number-one hits. His collaboration with Ke$ha on TiK ToK spent nine weeks at the top beginning January 2, 2010, and helped define the pop sound of the early 2010s.

Topping the list at number one is Max Martin. The Swedish songwriter has written an impressive 26 number-one hits between 2000 and 2024. One of his most notable works is Maroon 5’s One More Night, which stayed at number one for nine weeks starting September 29, 2012. Martin’s influence on pop music is enormous, shaping the careers of countless top artists over the past two decades.

You can check out the full list here.

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