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The millennial heir to Sweden's tradition of incessantly catchy pop, Max Martin wasn't an international star like ABBA or Ace of Base. But as a songwriter and producer, Martin spearheaded the late-'90s teen pop revival by crafting a ubiquitous string of worldwide hits for Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and the Backstreet Boys, among many others. He then modified his sound during the 2000s, embracing the use of slick guitars and pop/rock melodies while penning such chart-topping singles as Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone." Number one hits for the likes of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and the Weeknd followed throughout the 2010s. Only John Lennon and Paul McCartney have written more number one Hot 100 hits. ~ Steve Huey