Justin Tranter Makes Grammy Nod, How Songwriters Could ‘Run the Industry’ & Writing Something ‘Filthy & Sexy’ With Miley Cyrus

Justin Tranter is currently experiencing a significant week, with the accomplished hitmaker being nominated for the Songwriter of the Year award at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Adding to the excitement, Tranter is set to host the Premiere Ceremony preceding the 2024 Grammys, a live event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

In anticipation of the Grammys week, Katie Bain, Billboard’s senior music correspondent, sat down with Tranter to discuss the significance of the Grammy’s inclusion of the songwriter award. This marks the second year the prestigious Songwriter of the Year Grammy is being presented, and it’s Tranter’s initial nomination in this category, having previously been nominated for Song of the Year in 2018 for Julia Michaels’ “Issues.”

Tranter discovered their nomination during a casual walk with their dog when an unexpected flood of 300 congratulatory texts poured in. Reflecting on the importance of the new songwriter category, Tranter expressed that songwriters often face neglect in the industry, being treated poorly and thought of last. They suggest that this treatment may be intentional due to the immense power that songwriters hold. Acknowledging this power and allowing songwriters to flex it might disrupt the industry’s dynamics, a scenario that many might want to avoid.

Explaining further, Tranter emphasized the significance of the award in providing visibility to songwriters. In a world where visibility equates to power, the recognition bestowed by the Grammys becomes crucial.

Tranter also shared anecdotes about their work on nominated songs in 2024, including Reneé Rapp’s “Gemini Moon,” where the connection was formed over shared astrological signs, and collaborations with Maneskin and Miley Cyrus, the latter resulting in a track described as “pretty f—ing filthy and sexy.”

Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in contemporary pop music, Tranter highlighted the importance of building a connection with artists like Justin Bieber and Cardi B during the creative process. They stressed the significance of asking more personal questions, establishing a sense of shared experience, and fostering an environment where confidence and openness prevail. As a confident femme queer individual, Tranter believes that their demeanor creates a space for artists to be equally confident in expressing their own experiences and stories.