These Canadians Are Secretly Running American Pop Music

The American Top 40 could be more Canadian than you think.

From Alanis Morissette to Drake, Canada has been home to countless artists who’ve found stateside success. It should be no surprise to you that Canada also exports a bevy of talent in the form of internationally recognized songwriters and record producers.

With these artists pulling the strings behind-the-scenes, Canada has never had more influence over the way “American” pop music sounds. So, the next time an American tries to tell you that you’re merely absorbing their culture, quietly smile and nod, as is the Canadian way. You can enjoy silent satisfaction in knowing that without Canadian songwriters, producers, and musicians, American pop music would just be a bunch of banjo riffs and fart noises.

Here are the Canadian songwriters and producers that are secretly running American pop music.

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Credits: Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ke$ha

Henry Walter cut his teeth performing in the Toronto electro hip-hop group Let’s Go To War, but it wasn’t until he placed a song with Britney Spears that things started to take off for the 28 year-old producer. In 2008, one of Let’s Go To War’s instrumentals eventually became “Mmm Papi,” a Latin-influenced cut from Britney Spears’ Circus. This caught the attention of reigning pop hitmaker Dr. Luke, who quickly locked down Cirkut as his right hand producing partner. Since signing with Dr. Luke, Walter has earned credits with genre giants like Katy Perry, Rihanna, Ke$ha, will.i.am, Maroon 5, and more. Cirkut’s massive drum sounds, clean synth pads, and an ability to twist organic samples into something we’ve never heard before are all defining characteristics of pop music in 2015. The next time you listen to the radio, know that Henry “Cirkut” Walter’s fingerprints are all over it.

Hometown: Pembroke, ON

Credits: Emerson Drive, Esthero, The Lego Movie

As part of songwriting/production duo Jo Li, Joshua Bartholomew co-wrote and co-produced “Everything Is Awesome,” a song from The Lego Movie, featuring Tegan & Sara and The Lonely Island. Jo Li, a venture between Bartholomew and partner Lisa Harriton, received countless accolades for the infectiously positive composition, including Grammy and Oscar nominations. Before striking Lego gold, Bartholomew was mostly focussed on his solo career, so it’ll be interesting to see what he does next with his newfound stateside notoriety.

Hometown: Hamilton, ON

Credits: Three Days Grace, AJ MacLean, Nick Jonas

Does the last name Wilcox mean anything to you? How about the songs “Riverboat Fantasy,” or “Do The Bearcat”? Anyone with the last name Wilcox is certified Canadian music royalty, but Simon already has enough juice in the pop music world to stand outside the shadow of her famous father David Wilcox. The early beginnings of her songwriting career were spent collaborating with Canadian staples like The Trews, Three Days Grace, and perhaps less impressively, the Canadian Idol Season 1 alumni. A recent gig co-writing “Jealous” with Nick “The Talented One” Jonas and Nolan Lambroza has catapulted Wilcox to a new level, as the ear-worm of the year moves swiftly up the charts and into our collective hearts. Simon Wilcox clearly has a knack for irresistible melodies, and we can’t wait to see what she’s working on with pop-punk teen squad 5 Seconds Of Summer. Hide your kids, hide your wife.

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Credits: Justin Bieber, Shakira, Iggy Azalea, Magic!

Toronto-based production and songwriting partners Nasri Atweh and Adam Messinger started working together more a decade ago, but it’s only recently that their role shifted from behind-the-scenes to a something with a little more exposure. After producing and writing tracks for artists like Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Chris Brown, and the New Kids On The Block Reunion, Nasri jump-started a pop-reggae project as lead singer of Magic!, with Messinger taking on production duties. Their hit single “Rude” rose to the summit of pop charts in over a dozen countries, and now it’ll be stuck in your head for another three weeks. You’re welcome.

Hometown: Bracebridge, ON

Credits: Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Blake Shelton

Deric Ruttan proves that Canadians can rule country music too. The 43 year-old pride and joy of Bracebridge, Ontario relocated to Nashville in 1994 to jump-start his solo career, and while he’s found a following through releasing his own music, writing songs that became massive hits for other artists is both a blessing and a curse. "It wasn't just that writing songs for other artists was taking time away from me writing my next record," said Ruttan. Deric recently earned his first Grammy nomination, writing “Mine Would Be You” for Blake Shelton, which should give the singer-songwriter’s next solo effort some well deserved exposure and attention from American country radio.

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Credits: Robyn, Ellie Goulding, Madonna

Billboard is another Dr. Luke affiliate and collaborator, who is responsible for many of the electronic flourishes found all over Dr. Luke’s post-2010 catalogue. When Brit-step emerged in 2011 on “Hold It Against Me,” you can be assured that Billboard was behind the bass wobbles and triplet-riddled, half-time beats. Jomphe started out as a remixer, and while his style tends to be more experimental, when paired with the right songwriting partner he’s unstoppable.

Hometown: St. Catharines, ON

Credits: The Weeknd, Ne-Yo, Miley Cyrus

Classical pianist, composer, conductor, and producer Stephan Moccio has worked with some of the biggest names in adult contemporary music, including Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Sarah Brightman. As of late, the St. Catharines native is enjoying a stint on the pop charts, thanks to his work on “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. Moccio co-wrote and played piano on the ballad, and he was just tapped to work with contemporary R&B powerhouse The-Weeknd. Co-written with fellow Canadians Belly and Jason “Da Heala” Quenneville, their 50 Shades Of Grey soundtrack showstopper “Earned It” is currently heating up the charts—and your bedroom.