POWER HITTERS: DAVID STEWART

In our new feature, we shine a spotlight on the brilliant songwriters and producers behind the biggest smashes in the biz, the players who regularly step up to the plate and deliver a hit—and frequently drive it clear out of the park.

A veteran session musician, David Stewart hit the jackpot as a producer/songwriter in 2020 when he scored arguably the biggest placement in the world: BTS's lead single "Dynamite." The track, which Stewart created in the basement of his parents' house, shattered records its debut week and continues to break sales records 26 weeks later. Stewart's official credit on the BTS smash is co-writer and producer.

Among the feats "Dynamite" has accomplished: This week it will tie the all-time Digital Song Sales record for weeks at #1 (17), equaling "Despacito"; it was 2020's top debut on Spotify with 7.7m streams; it broke the YouTube record with more than 100m views in its first 24 hours; and it spent three non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.

"Dynamite" earned BTS its first Grammy nomination, for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Also in 2020, U.K. native Stewart scored cuts as co-writer and producer of Jonas Brothers' "What a Man Gotta Do" and Hailee Steinfeld's "I Love You's."

He's likewise collaborated with Monsters and Strangerz, Ilya, Nija Charles, SG Lewis and Skrillex, among other songwriter/producers.

Stewart's next chapter will include some of the biggest names in the U.S. and U.K., including Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Ryan Tedder, Rita Ora, Tinie Tempah, Craig David and JoBros.

Stewart connected with Hallwood boss Neil Jacobson and Interscope A&R Charlie Christi for co-management in 2019.