Copyright Billboard
The first quarter of the 21st century featured 327 No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits seemingly covering every topic imaginable. Chart-toppers in that span ranged from “We Belong Together” to “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” From “Bootylicious” to “Way 2 Sexy,” “Angel” to “Vampire.” “Butterfly” and “Fireflies” both winged their way to No. 1. So did such explosive hits such as as “Firework” and (directly after) “Grenade.” For every “Party Rock Anthem,” there was “A Bar Song” to sing along to (probably loudly if while tipsy). Meanwhile, no matter where music fans were, or any loyalties, we bopped to “Empire State of Mind” and “California Gurls” and everything in between. The creators of those hits encompass nearly 1,000 credited songwriters (along with more than 300 producers). Some double as superstar recording artists, while others have made their mark on pop culture as behind-the-scenes musical masterminds. After revealing the top artists, albums, songs and producers of the first 25 years of the 21st century on the Hot 100 and more since January, Billboard is now celebrating The Top Songwriters of the 21st Century on the Hot 100 — the top 25 writers with the most No. 1 hits on the chart in the century’s first 25 years. Every writer on the ranking led the Hot 100 at least six times in that span (Jan. 1, 2000-Dec. 28, 2024), with the top eight talents each boasting double-digit No. 1 totals. Billboard is unveiling the full songwriters list all this week: Monday, Nov. 10: Nos. 25-21; Tuesday, Nov. 11: Nos. 20-16; Wednesday, Nov. 12: Nos. 15-11; Thursday, Nov. 13: Nos. 10-6; and Friday, Nov. 14: Nos. 5-1. Check back each day to see which prominent songwriters made the cut — and who crowns the tally.
