Billboard Names the Best Songwriters of the 21st Century

Billboard has ranked the top songwriters of the 21st century, highlighting the artists and producers who have dominated the Hot 100 charts from 2000 to 2024. During this period, the Billboard Hot 100 saw 327 No. 1 hits, covering countless topics and musical styles.

At the top of the list is Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, who has written 26 No. 1 songs over the past two decades. His longest-running chart-topper as a writer was Maroon 5’s One More Night, which stayed at number one for nine weeks starting September 29, 2012.

Following him is Dr. Luke, credited with 18 Hot 100 No. 1 hits. One of his biggest successes was Ke$ha’s TiK ToK, which held the top spot for nine weeks beginning January 2, 2010.

Canadian rapper Drake comes in third, having written 14 chart-toppers. His song God’s Plan led the Hot 100 for 11 weeks starting February 3, 2018. Taylor Swift, who has 12 No. 1 hits, ranks fourth, with Anti-Hero topping the charts for eight weeks in 2022.

Other notable songwriters on the list include Beyoncé, Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Shellback, Cirkut, and Bruno Mars. Each of them has written multiple No. 1 hits and has contributed songs that dominated the charts for several weeks.

Beyoncé, for example, had Independent Women Part I by Destiny’s Child at number one for 11 weeks in 2000, while Eriksen and Hermansen were behind Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable, which stayed at the top for 10 weeks.

You can check out the full list here.

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