In the first quarter of the 21st century, 326 songs hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. More than 300 producers were behind at least one of those smashes, but only a select few managed to reach the top more than once, and even fewer did so consistently over the that span.
After revealing the top artists, albums and songs of the first 25 years of the 21st century on the Hot 100 and more since January, Billboard is now celebrating The Top Producers of the 21st Century on the Hot 100 — the top 25 producers with the most No. 1 hits on the chart in the century’s first 25 years. Certain names are likely more well-known than others — some double as superstar recording artists — but in the social media era, even behind-the-scenes creators have far-reaching visibility and followings. Regardless of how they made the elite list, all can claim credit for helping shape the sound of hit music since the turn of the century.
Of the 300-plus producers who led the Hot 100 from charts dated Jan. 1, 2000, through Dec. 28, 2024, less than half managed a second No. 1, and only 33 earned at least four. To break the ties in our top 25, Billboard ranked which producers had the most Hot 100 top 10s in the tracking period, followed by the most overall entries on the chart.
Billboard is unveiling the full list all this week: Monday, Aug. 11: Nos. 25-21; Tuesday, Aug. 12: Nos. 20-16; Wednesday, Aug. 13: Nos. 15-11; Thursday, Aug. 14: Nos. 10-6; and Friday, Aug. 15: Nos. 5-1. Check back each day to see which prominent producers made the cut — and who crowns the tally.
Plus, browse all of Billboard’s 21st Century Charts coverage, with more to come throughout 2025.
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25. Bryan-Michael Cox
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Cox claimed a dominant early-2000s run that helped forge the style of modern R&B. He notched four No. 1s on the Hot 100 in that span: Usher’s “U Got It Bad” (2001), “Burn” (2004) and “Confessions Part II” (2004) and Mariah Carey’s “Don’t Forget About Us” (2005-06), all co-produced with longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri. After first cracking the Hot 100 in 1999, Cox went on to work with Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and Jagged Edge, among others. His influence extended into the 2020s, as he’s produced singles for the next generation of R&B stars, including Muni Long’s 2024 top 20 hit “Made for Me.”
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24. will.i.am
Image Credit: Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images The Black Eyed Peas frontman earned four Hot 100 No. 1s as a producer in the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by then-bandmate Fergie (2017), BEP’s “Boom Boom Pow” (2009) and “Imma Be” (2010) and Usher’s will.i.am-featuring “OMG” (2010). His solo output is also impressive, spanning more pop/hip-hop hits by Estelle, Nas and the Pussycat Dolls. More recently, he’s expanded into Latin pop, producing Hot 100 hits recorded by the high-profile likes of J Balvin (“RITMO [Bad Boys for Life]”), Ozuna (“Mamacita”) and Shakira (“Girl Like Me,” with Black Eyed Peas).
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23. Boi-1da
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Boi-1da has been a defining force in hip-hop production since the 2010s, with a signature dancehall/reggae-tinged sound that has helped power four songs to No. 1 on the Hot 100: Eminem’s “Not Afraid” (2010), Rihanna’s “Work,” featuring Drake (2016) and Drake’s “God’s Plan” (2018) and “First Person Shooter,” featuring J. Cole (2023). Known for his long-standing partnership with Drake — he’s produced more than 40 of his Hot 100 chart hits — Boi-1da has also delivered tracks for Cardi B, Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.
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22. Corey Rooney
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Rooney helped sculpt the crossover R&B-pop sound of the early 2000s, hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time with Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women Part I” — an 11-week chart-topper in 2000-01. That success paved the way for his prolific run with Jennifer Lopez, producing three of her four No. 1s: “I’m Real” (2001) and “Ain’t It Funny,” both featuring Ja Rule (2002), and “All I Have,” featuring LL Cool J (2003). He also produced her enduring No. 3-peaking 2002 hit “Jenny From the Block,” featuring Styles and Jadakiss.
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21. Greg Kurstin
Image Credit: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Kurstin emerged in the late 2000s with alt-pop cuts recorded by Lily Allen and 3OH!3, but he hit his stride in the 2010s through a powerhouse run with Kelly Clarkson, P!nk and, later, Adele. He earned his first Hot 100 No. 1 thanks to Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” (2012) and followed with a pair of top 10s by P!nk, including the top five “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).” He added three more No. 1s later in the century, with Adele’s “Hello” (2015) and “Easy On Me” (2021) sandwiching Sia’s “Cheap Thrills,” featuring Sean Paul (2016). He’s since remained a fixture of pop music, working with Halsey, Tate McRae and Maren Morris, as well as Clarkson again on her modern holiday staple “Underneath the Tree,” which reached the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2024.
