It's no secret that 2017 has been a banner year for hip-hop music in general, with a multitude of artists breaking out into the mainstream music scene and attaining success that few may have thought possible before 2017 truly got underway. However, with the likes of Kendrick Lamar's DAMN., DJ Khaled's Grateful and many, many others becoming mainstays atop of the singles and album charts, it's only natural to think that rap icons would dominate the conversation of who the most successful songwriters of the year are so far. According to a recent report from Music Business Worldwide, in collaboration with Royalty Exchange, the five biggest songwriters of 2017's first half are mostly hip-hop artists, but the name at the top might take you by surprise.
That individual would be Leyland Wayne, known better to most music fans as Metro Boomin', who has been his star rise considerably due to his success during the first six months of the year. His production and/or writing work with various artists, from 21 Savage to Future to Kodak Black, have resulted in nine major Hot 100 hits, making him one of the world's most bankable talents behind a mixing board right now. Second on the list is Quavo, whom recently achieved a major milestone where his number of Top Ten Hot 100 hits are concerned. The Migos star has worked with a stable of all-star talent so far this year, with names like DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, Post Malone and others dotting his resume. If he ends up re-configuring the National Anthem, who knows how high his royalty figures could rise.
Elsewhere on the list is Kendrick Lamar, whose most recent LP is still crushing it in terms of overall sales. DAMN. may very well end up being the biggest album when 2017 is all said and done, but he's also worked on some other major songs for other rappers, most notably Travis Scott's "goosebumps" track. Canada's first son, Drake, also cracks the five biggest songwriters of the year, with writing credits on hit songs from Nicki Minaj and Gucci Mane adding to his already-monstrous catalogue of hit records. It's safe to say that 2017 has been hip-hop's year so far and is showing no signs of fading into the background.