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 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 January 1, 2000, through December 28, 2024, fewer than half managed a second No. 1, and only 33 earned at least four. To break 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.
15. Mariah Carey
There's no denying MC's historic influence across Billboard's charts. She isn't just a vocal icon - she's also been hands-on producing her own hits. She's credited as a co-producer on all five of her Hot 100 No. 1s this century: "Thank God I Found You", featuring Joe and 98 Degrees (2000); her 14-week leader "We Belong Together" (2005); "Don't Forget About Us" (2005-06); "Touch My Body" (2008); and, of course, the perennial "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which finally hit No. 1 in 2019, 25 years after its release. Carey also coproduced 10 No. 1s in the 1990s - the most of any producer that decade.
(Billboard)
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I read (on Reddit a long time ago) that she doesn't even write her songs. I read she changes a few words and claims credit. That's her contribution. Are we living in the upside down? How can she, in good conscience, even accept that honor? Does she even deserve all those Grammys she has? She has a great voice, and some great songs, but is she actually the producer? I don't follow her that closely, so please somebody correct me if I'm wrong. 
