Justin Tranter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justin Tranter
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Tranter at SXSW 2024
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Justin Drew Tranter
June 16, 1980 Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, U.S.
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| Years active | 2002–present |
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| Origin | Lake Zurich, Illinois, U.S. |
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Justin Drew Tranter, born on June 16, 1980, is an American songwriter, singer, and activist. They are known for writing hit songs for many famous artists. Some of these artists include Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Demi Lovato.
From 2004 to 2014, Tranter was the lead singer of a rock band called Semi Precious Weapons. They are also a board member of GLAAD. This organization works to help people understand and accept LGBT individuals in entertainment and news. By May 2021, songs written by Tranter had sold over 50 million copies. They also had more than 40 billion streams on Spotify and YouTube.
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Early Life and Education
Justin Drew Tranter grew up in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. They have three older brothers. Tranter has shared that they faced bullying when they were younger. This led them to switch from their public high school in Lake Zurich, Illinois to the Chicago Academy for the Arts.
While at the Academy, Tranter studied musical theater. They also started an annual show called the AIDS Benefit. This show was run by students to help people learn about HIV/AIDS. Tranter finished high school in 1998. After that, they went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, they studied songwriting and business management. At Berklee, Tranter also created Musicians with a Mission. This fund helps young LGBT people get an education.
Musical Journey
Early Music Career (2002–2004)
Tranter released their first solo album, Scratched, in 2002. Their second album, Tear Me Together, came out in 2004.
Semi Precious Weapons (2004–2014)
In 2004, after their second solo album, Tranter formed the band Semi Precious Weapons. They started the band in New York with other Berklee graduates. The band's first album, We Love You, was released in 2008.
The band then toured with Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball Tour from 2009 to 2011. Semi Precious Weapons released two more albums: You Love You (2010) and Aviation (2014). The band broke up in 2014. While still with the band, Tranter moved to Los Angeles. In 2012, they signed a deal with Warner Chappell Music to write songs for other artists.
Focus on Songwriting (2014–Present)
After signing with Warner Chappell, Tranter began writing for many artists. These included Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Fifth Harmony, and Fall Out Boy. In December 2015, Rolling Stone magazine recognized Tranter as one of the "20 Biggest Breakouts of 2015." This was for their work on pop songs that year.
Tranter often works with Julia Michaels. Many songs they wrote together have appeared on Billboard charts. Two of these songs, Selena Gomez's "Good for You" and Justin Bieber's "Sorry", reached the top of the Mainstream Top 40 chart. Tranter and Michaels also co-wrote Gwen Stefani's album This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). Tranter has since written for artists like Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Imagine Dragons, and Linkin Park.
Tranter has also worked on music for movies and TV shows. They co-wrote "Home" for the movie Ferdinand (2017). This song earned Tranter a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 2018. They also co-wrote "Hindsight" for the movie Bros (2022).
Tranter was an executive producer and songwriter for several soundtracks. These include the Hulu film Happiest Season (2020) and the Netflix film Purple Hearts (2022). They also worked on the Paramount+ Grease TV series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2023).
In 2024, Tranter was nominated for a Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical. This was for their work on songs by artists like Reneé Rapp and Måneskin. Tranter also co-wrote "My ... Is Karma" on Chappell Roan’s 2023 album. They worked with Chappell Roan again on her 2024 song "Good Luck, Babe!". This song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Activism and Support
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Tranter's activism started in high school. They created the annual AIDS Benefit to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. Later, at the Berklee College of Music, they founded Musicians with a Mission. This scholarship fund helps young LGBT people get an education.
In 2016, Tranter went to Orlando to help after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. They also helped write and organize the charity song "Hands." This song raised money for victims and LGBT organizations.
In February 2017, Tranter joined the National Board of Directors for GLAAD. At the GLAAD Media Awards that year, Tranter raised $123,000 for GLAAD. They did this by offering songwriting sessions. Each year, Tranter hosts a Spirit Day concert to raise money for GLAAD's work supporting LGBT youth. The event in 2022 raised $400,000.
Tranter also supports Mercy for Animals and stopped eating meat in 1994. In 2019, the ACLU of Southern California honored Tranter with the Bill of Rights Award. This was for their work as a strong voice for the LGBTQIA+ community, diversity, and other important causes.
Personal Life
Justin Tranter uses "they/them/theirs" as their pronouns.
Other Projects
Tranter started a jewelry company called Fetty. They designed necklaces to sell at Semi Precious Weapons shows. Fetty jewelry, which often features hearts and weapons, was sold in stores like Urban Outfitters. In 2008, Tranter also designed a special sneaker for DKNY.
Tranter is the founder and CEO of Facet Records and Publishing. This company works with artists, songwriters, and producers.
TV and Film Appearances
In 2008, Tranter appeared on the E! show Chelsea Lately. In December of that year, they were a coach on the MTV reality show Made. They helped a young girl become a "rock star." In 2010, Tranter and their band members had small roles in Lady Gaga's music video for "Telephone." In 2012, Tranter was interviewed for a documentary about the musician Jobriath.
Awards and Nominations
Justin Tranter has received several awards and nominations for their work:
- In 2003, they won an Outmusic Award for "Out Song of the Year" for their song "Blend In."
- They won Pop Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Pop Awards in both 2017 and 2018.
- In 2018, their song "Home" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 75th Golden Globe Awards.
- Also in 2018, their song "Issues" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
- In 2019, they received the Bill of Rights Award from the ACLU.
- In 2024, Tranter was nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
- In 2025, their song "Good Luck, Babe!" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Scratched (2002)
- Tear Me Together (2004)
Semi Precious Weapons Albums
- We Love You (2008)
- You Love You (2010)
- Aviation (2014)
