Historical Figure
Max Martin
b. 1971
Swedish record producer and songwriter (born 1971)
Talk to Max Martin
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Karl Martin Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish record producer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with songwriting credits on a string of hit singles, such as Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" (1998), the Backstreet Boys's "I Want It That Way" (1999), Celine Dion's "That's the Way It Is" (1999), and NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me" (2000).
Timeline
The story of Max Martin, told in moments.
Born Karl Martin Sandberg in Stockholm. Played in a hair metal band called It's Alive. They were not famous. Then he met Denniz Pop at Cheiron Studios and learned to write pop songs with mathematical precision.
Writes "...Baby One More Time" for Britney Spears. Also "I Want It That Way" for the Backstreet Boys. Both in the same year. He doesn't give interviews. He doesn't appear in the videos. He collects royalties.
Begins working with Taylor Swift. "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," "Bad Blood." He helps Swift transition from country to pop. The songs are structurally flawless. He now has more number-one hits than any songwriter except Lennon and McCartney.
Has written or co-written 27 Billboard number-one singles. The Weeknd, Katy Perry, P!nk, Ariana Grande. He still rarely gives interviews. Most people who sing along to his songs couldn't name him. That seems to be the way he likes it.
More from the Late 20th Century
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Max Martin's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.