New York Times: How an Unlikely Duo Became the Hottest Songwriters in Pop Music

Justin Tranter '01 and his collaborator Julia Michaels are on a pop radio-dominating hot streak writing songs for Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and Gwen Stefani and others.

January 12, 2016

The New York Times declares Justin Tranter '01 and his songwriting partner Julia Michaels the hottest songwriters in pop music. Their oputput over the last couple of years shows a prodigious talent for creating tracks that have vaulted a variety of stars up the charts. Four of their songs landed in the Top 5 of Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 2015, including Justin Bieber's "Sorry" and Selena Gomez's "Good for You." Producers like J-Roc call upon them knowing their synchronisity will deliver hooks and arrangements quickly, sometimes in the time it takes to listen to one of their hit tunes. Brittney Spears asked the duo to contribute to her forthcoming album. Previous to striking a partnertshp with Michaels, Tranter was the vocalist for the rock band Semi Precious Weapons, sited by Lady Gaga and Sam Smith as an influence of theirs.

Read the article on The New York Times' website.