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Pop Songwriter Justin Tranter Lays Track for Local Talent
Pop Songwriter Justin Tranter Lays Track for Local Talent-December 2024
Dec 20, 2025 2:19 AM

Even if your radio is perpetually tuned to WFMT (our excellent sister station), you’ve likely heard the music of Gwen Stefani, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. But do you know the man behind some of these artists’ biggest hits?

And do you know he went to high school in Chicago?

The Chicago Academy for the Arts AIDS Benefit (Credit: Thomas Mohr Photography)

The Chicago Academy for the Arts AIDS Benefit (Credit: Thomas Mohr Photography)

The Chicago Academy for the Arts AIDS Benefit (Credit: Thomas Mohr Photography)

The Chicago Academy for the Arts AIDS Benefit (Credit: Thomas Mohr Photography)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

New studio (Courtesy of The Chicago Academy for the Arts)

Below, some of the songs Tranter has co-written:

Gwen Stefani’s “Used To Love You”

Justin Bieber’s “Friends”

Imagine Dragons’ “Believer”

Julia Michaels’ “Issues”

Tranter joins us in conversation.

Related stories:

Chicago Band Ohmme a ‘Force to be Reckoned With’

Emerging Rap Artist Taylor Bennett on Chicago Roots

George Freeman Tells Us How to Lead a Life in Jazz

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