21 Savage was the biggest songwriter in the US in Q4 2020, with 21 certifications

February 1, 2021

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) Gold & Platinum Program has announced the top songwriters for Q4 2020, including the top songwriter for the Q4 period.

During October, November and December of 2020, 1,670 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum certifications were awarded and 21 Savage was the top songwriter overall with 21 certifications.

He is published by BMG.

In partnership with the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program, NMPA finds and certifies the songwriters and publishers of RIAA-certified singles.

RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams towards its Gold (500,000), Platinum (1 million) and Multi-Platinum (2m+) thresholds.

Thousands of songwriters have been recognized since NMPA’s program began in 2007.

The full list of songwriters and publishers can be found here.

21 Savage was followed by Trippie Reed (published by UMPG) with 19 certifications.

Kanye West, who is published by Sony/ATV, was the top songwriter in Q3 2020, with 39 certifications.

J. Cole (published by Universal Music Publishing Group) was the top overall songwriter in Q2 2020, with 21 certifications.

Lil Baby, who is also published by UMPG, was the top songwriter in Q1 2020, overall with 22 certifications.

“I commend the songwriters certified in Q4 for their creativity and perseverance through this unprecedented time. Particularly 21 Savage who proved his dominance with solo and collaborations that went five and six times Multi-Platinum.”
David Israelite, NMPA

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite, said: “2020 was a huge year for music as more and more people turned to it for entertainment and comfort as the pandemic continued on.

“I commend the songwriters certified in Q4 for their creativity and perseverance through this unprecedented time.

“Particularly 21 Savage who proved his dominance with solo and collaborations that went five and six times Multi-Platinum.”