THR Names Music's 35 Top Hitmakers

This story first appeared in the Feb. 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

The 24-year-old wunderkind Tyler "T-Minus" Williams from Ajax, Ontario, was getting attention for producing big beats before he was even old enough to drink. Breaking out in 2006 with fellow Canuck Drake's first single, "Replacement Girl," Williams had his first Top 10 hit in 2009 with Ludacris' Grammy-nominated "How Low" and has since returned to Billboard's Hot 100 nine more times. Following his work on three of the five singles off Drake's lauded 2011 album Take Care and his featured performances on Nicki Minaj's "Moment 4 Life" and Lil Wayne's "She Will," teamed up with Kendrick Lamar for his chart-topping album good kid, m.A.A.d city including single "Swimming Pools (Drank)." Next up: the delayed Lady Gaga collaboration "Partynauseous." Still Drake's go-to guy, expect more Williams-crafted beats on his next release, as well as upcoming work with Big Sean and Pusha. 

First Hit: “How Low” by Ludacris (2009)

Click here to read THR's complete Pop's Top 35 Hitmakers list.