Benny Blanco #Mad Love Records
{{short description|American record producer and songwriter (born 1988)}}
{{for|the English footballer sometimes nicknamed by fans as "Benny Blanco"|Ben White (footballer) {{!}} Ben White}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Benny Blanco
| image = Benny Bowtie 2018.jpg
| caption = Blanco in 2018
| birth_name = Benjamin Joseph Levin
| partner = Selena Gomez (2023–present; engaged)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|03|08}}
| birth_place = Reston, Virginia, U.S.
| discography = Benny Blanco production discography
| genre = Pop{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/benny-blanco-mn0000791294|title=Benny Blanco Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=December 9, 2021|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209122928/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/benny-blanco-mn0000791294|url-status=live}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Record producer|songwriter|record executive | author }}
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = {{hlist|Mad Love|Interscope|Friends Keep Secrets|A&M}}
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|benny-blanco.com}}
}}
Benjamin Joseph Levin (born March 8, 1988),{{cite web |title=Who Is Selena Gomez's Fiancé? All About Benny Blanco |url=https://people.com/who-is-benny-blanco-selena-gomez-8412327 |website=People.com |date=December 12, 2024}} known professionally by his stage name Benny Blanco (stylized in all lowercase), is an American record producer and songwriter. He is the recipient of the 2013 Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Hal David Starlight Award Winner: Benny Blanco|url=https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/benny_blanco|website=Songhall.org|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713172642/https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/benny_blanco|url-status=live}} Blanco has also won five BMI Songwriter of the Year Awards, won the 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award, and received eleven Grammy Award nominations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/benny-blanco/11722|title=Benny Blanco | Artist|website=Grammy.com|access-date=March 8, 2025}}
He was initially mentored by American record producer Dr. Luke, who signed him to his production company Kasz Money Productions. Blanco was thereafter credited on various productions with Luke from 2008 to the mid-2010s. Since then, Blanco has contributed to albums and singles that have sold a cumulative 500 million album-equivalent units; having produced or co-written for Ed Sheeran, BTS, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Christina Aguilera, Kesha, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Sia, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Avicii, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Keith Urban, OneRepublic, Wiz Khalifa, J Balvin, Ariana Grande, Kali Uchis, Juice Wrld, and SZA, among others.
In July 2018, Blanco released his debut single as a lead artist, "Eastside" (with Halsey and Khalid).{{cite web|title=Producer Benny Blanco Teases New Track Featuring Halsey & Khalid|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8465034/benny-blanco-khalid-halsey-unreleased-song|website=Billboard.com|date=July 11, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718081213/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8465034/benny-blanco-khalid-halsey-unreleased-song|url-status=live}} The song peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100—marking his 27th top-ten song as a writer, a sum which includes seven number-one singles on the chart—while peaking the charts in four countries, and reaching the top ten in several others.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8493336/post-malone-swae-lee-sunflower-hot-100-number-one|title=Post Malone & Swae Lee's 'Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=January 14, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=August 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831081908/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8493336/post-malone-swae-lee-sunflower-hot-100-number-one|url-status=live}} Each released that same year, Blanco's follow-up singles — "I Found You" (with Calvin Harris), "Better to Lie" (with Jesse and Swae Lee) and "Roses" (with Brendon Urie and Juice Wrld) — preceded the release of his debut studio album, Friends Keep Secrets, in December.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8482911/calvin-harris-benny-blancos-i-found-you|title=Calvin Harris Sings and Benny Blanco Gets Help From Friends in 'I Found You': Watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 9, 2018|archive-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103115815/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8482911/calvin-harris-benny-blancos-i-found-you|url-status=live}} A deluxe issue, titled Friends Keep Secrets 2 was released in March 2021, a date which coincided with the original receiving a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The latter spawned the top 40 single "Lonely" (with Justin Bieber).{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212231947/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |access-date=March 31, 2021 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America}} With his fiancée Selena Gomez, they released the album I Said I Love You First in 2025.
Blanco has founded two labels as imprints of Interscope Records—Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets—in 2014, through both of which he has signed artists including Tory Lanez, Jessie Ware, and Cashmere Cat, among others.{{cite web|title=Universal Music Group Artists, Distributed Labels Draw Numerous Grammy Nominations...|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/universal-music-group-artists-and-distributed-labels-draw-numerous-nominations-spanning-rap-pop-country-and-jazz/|website=UniversalMusic.com|date=December 7, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331065542/https://www.universalmusic.com/universal-music-group-artists-and-distributed-labels-draw-numerous-nominations-spanning-rap-pop-country-and-jazz/|url-status=live}} After both labels dissolved a decade later, he signed with A&M Records, an imprint of Interscope, where he became a general manager.{{Cite magazine |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Everything You Need to Know About Selena Gomez's Fiancé, Benny Blanco |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a46275359/who-is-benny-blanco-facts/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |magazine=Cosmopolitan}}
Early life and career beginnings
Benjamin Joseph Levin was born and raised in Reston, Virginia,{{cite web |url=http://patch.com/virginia/reston/reston-native-benny-blanco-wins-grammy-for-work-on-rihanna-album |last=McVeigh |first=Alex |title=Reston Native Benny Blanco Wins Grammy For Work on Rihanna Album |work=patch.com |date=January 26, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002060026/http://patch.com/virginia/reston/reston-native-benny-blanco-wins-grammy-for-work-on-rihanna-album |url-status=live }} to Sandra and Andrew Levin and has an older brother.{{cite web|first=Emily|last=Burack|date=January 22, 2021|url=https://www.heyalma.com/18-things-to-know-about-benny-blanco/|title=18 Things to Know About Benny Blanco|website=Hey Alma|publisher=70 Faces Media|access-date=September 6, 2024}} He is Jewish.{{cite magazine|first=Antonia|last=DeBianchi|date=April 29, 2024|url=https://people.com/selena-gomez-and-benny-blanco-attend-passover-seder-8640477|title=Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Attend Passover Seder Together — See the Impressive Spread|magazine=People|access-date=September 6, 2024}} He began producing hip-hop instrumentals in his bedroom and recording his own vocals on top of them. His first serious exposure to music came in 1994, when he was six years old with Nas's "The World Is Yours" and All-4-One's "I Swear" on cassette tapes, which influenced his early productions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vibe.com/2012/07/benny-blanco-talks-being-inspired-nas-working-wiz-khalifa-and-advice-producers/|title=Benny Blanco Talks Being Inspired By Nas, Working With Wiz Khalifa and Advice to Producers|date=July 23, 2012|work=Vibe|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014119/https://www.vibe.com/2012/07/benny-blanco-talks-being-inspired-nas-working-wiz-khalifa-and-advice-producers/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Virginia native becomes an in-demand producer at 22|first=Jason|last=Lipschutz|date=May 10, 2010|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blanco-idUSTRE64E08D20100515|work=Reuters.com|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019003506/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blanco-idUSTRE64E08D20100515|url-status=live}} After early experiments with beat making and recording himself on his boombox, Blanco's rapping earned the attention of The Source magazine{{cite web |title=Virginia native becomes an in-demand producer at 22 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/virginia-native-becomes-an-in-demand-producer-at-22-idUSTRE64E08D/ |website=Reuters |access-date=March 2, 2025 |format=May 16, 2010}} and executives at Columbia Records.
His stage name came from the similarly named fictional character (played by John Leguizamo) in the 1993 film Carlito's Way, and was a reference to him being a white rapper.{{Cite web |title=Virginia native becomes an in-demand producer at 22
|work=Reuters
|date=May 16, 2010 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/virginia-native-becomes-an-in-demand-producer-at-22-idUSTRE64E08D/#:~:text=I%20was%20in%20the%20studio,%2C%20like%20in%20'Carlito's%20Way.}}
He attended Camp Airy for many years of his childhood in Thurmont, Maryland, where he would routinely perform and host a radio show under the name "Ebba Ebba". Blanco eventually secured an apprenticeship with producer Disco D after multiple trips to New York City from his home in Virginia to meet with labels and producers.
Career
=2007–present=
Blanco was mentored for several years by songwriter and producer Dr. Luke, who signed Blanco to his production company Kasz Money Productions.{{cite news|title=Only 24, and at Home in the Top 10|work=The New York Times|last=McKinley|first=James Jr.|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=July 8, 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/arts/music/benny-blanco-hit-maker-for-rihanna-and-maroon-5.html|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065326/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/arts/music/benny-blanco-hit-maker-for-rihanna-and-maroon-5.html|url-status=live}} While under Dr. Luke's tutelage, Blanco co-produced and co-wrote many songs, including hits such as Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", Kesha's "TiK ToK", and Taio Cruz's "Dynamite".
In 2008, he took part in writing and producing Britney Spears' "Circus" (with Dr. Luke, and Claude Kelly). The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on American pop radio and is her second-best-selling digital song in the United States, having sold over 3.2 million downloads as of July 2016.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7439077/ask-billboard-britney-spears-career-sales-how-big-a-hit-will|title=Ask Billboard: Britney Spears' Career Sales & How Big a Hit Will 'Make Me' Be?|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=July 17, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331043017/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7439077/ask-billboard-britney-spears-career-sales-how-big-a-hit-will|url-status=live}} On a global scale, "Circus" was one of the top 10 best-selling songs of 2009 with 5.5 million digital copies sold that year across the world, according to the IFPI.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2010.pdf|title=Digital Music Sales Around The World|date=January 21, 2010|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|page=10|access-date=December 15, 2010|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222025232/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2010.pdf|url-status=dead}}
In 2011, Blanco wrote and produced his first charting hits without Dr. Luke, among them Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" and Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts". The same year, Blanco went on to work on Maroon 5's Platinum-selling album Overexposed and its lead single "Payphone" featuring Wiz Khalifa.{{cite web|title=Benny Blanco's Six-Step Plan for Becoming Superproducer at 23|last=Barshad|first=Amos|date=October 12, 2011|work=Grantland.com|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/benny-blancos-six-step-plan-for-becoming-superproducer-at-23/|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731194702/http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/benny-blancos-six-step-plan-for-becoming-superproducer-at-23/|url-status=live}}
On June 13, 2013, Blanco was presented with the Hal David Starlight Award at the 44th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, an honor awarded to young artists who have already made an impression on the music industry.{{cite web|title=Hal David Starlight Award|work=Songhall.org|access-date=July 8, 2017|url=https://www.songhall.org/awards/view/hal_david_starlight_award|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813060314/https://www.songhall.org/awards/view/hal_david_starlight_award|url-status=live}} In his acceptance speech, he joked, "They picked the wrong person, I'm in a room with people I should probably be serving food to."{{cite news|title=Sting, Billy Joel, Smokey Robinson Perform As Legends Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame|agency=Associated Press|date=June 14, 2013|work=Billboard.com|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1566951/sting-billy-joel-smokey-robinson-perform-as-legends-inducted-into-songwriters|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=September 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922185703/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1566951/sting-billy-joel-smokey-robinson-perform-as-legends-inducted-into-songwriters|url-status=live}}
In the years since, Blanco has amassed 29 total number-one songs and is recognized for his achievements with artists including BTS, Gracie Abrams, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Lana Del Rey, Miguel, Halsey, and Camila Cabello.
Blanco was named Producer of the Year at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards.{{cite web|title=Here's The Complete List Of #iHeartAwards Winners|last=Thorpe|first=Isha|work=iHeartRadio.com|date=March 5, 2017|access-date=March 6, 2017|url=https://www.iheart.com/news/heres-the-complete-list-of-iheartawards-15616268/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306024924/https://www.iheart.com/news/heres-the-complete-list-of-iheartawards-15616268/|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}
=Artist projects=
In 2007, Blanco teamed up with Baltimore rappers Spank Rock to release Spank Rock and Benny Blanco Are... "Bangers & Cash", a collaborative EP for both artists based on 2 Live Crew samples that caught the attention of many in the industry and sparked connections to future collaborators Amanda Blank and Santigold. The EP received acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and more.
In July 2018, Blanco released his debut song as a standalone solo artist, "Eastside" featuring Halsey and Khalid, on his own label Friends Keep Secrets with Interscope Records. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, and was also a global success, topping the charts in New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, and peaking within the top ten of the charts in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, and Norway.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/benny-blanco-halsey-khalid-eastside-new-song-698891/|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=Hear Benny Blanco, Halsey, Khalid Team for Bittersweet 'Eastside'|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=July 17, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718001431/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/benny-blanco-halsey-khalid-eastside-new-song-698891/|url-status=live}} Later in 2018, he released his second, third, and fourth singles: "I Found You" with Calvin Harris, "Better to Lie" with Jesse and Swae Lee, and "Roses" with Juice Wrld featuring Brendon Urie, respectively.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8482911/calvin-harris-benny-blancos-i-found-you|title=Calvin Harris Sings and Benny Blanco Gets Help From Friends in 'I Found You': Watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 18, 2018|archive-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103115815/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8482911/calvin-harris-benny-blancos-i-found-you|url-status=live}} His debut album Friends Keep Secrets was released on December 7, 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/arts/music/benny-blanco-interview.html|work=The New York Times|title=How Benny Blanco Became the Most Popular Oddball in Pop Music|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=July 18, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718093413/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/arts/music/benny-blanco-interview.html|url-status=live}}
In January 2019, Blanco released "I Found You / Nilda's Story" with Calvin Harris and Miguel in conjunction with the launch of The While They Wait Fund to benefit asylum seekers in the United States, an initiative by Brooklyn Defender Services, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services and American Civil Liberties Union.{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8492273/benny-blanco-miguel-i-found-you-refugees|title = Benny Blanco & Miguel's Powerful 'I Found You' Video Gives Refugee Fight a Face: Watch|magazine = Billboard|date = January 4, 2019|access-date = January 28, 2019|archive-date = February 3, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190203085809/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8492273/benny-blanco-miguel-i-found-you-refugees|url-status = live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miguel-benny-blanco-i-found-you-video-775233/|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=Miguel, Benny Blanco Take Aim at Immigration Policy in New 'I Found You' Video|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=January 28, 2019|archive-date=January 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010925/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miguel-benny-blanco-i-found-you-video-775233/|url-status=live}} The song debuted with a video directed by Jake Schreier highlighting the story of one Honduran woman, Nilda, and her two-year-old son Keyden.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8492273/benny-blanco-miguel-i-found-you-refugees|magazine=Billboard|title=Benny Blanco & Miguel's Powerful 'I Found You' Video Gives Refugee Fight a Face: Watch|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=January 28, 2019|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203085809/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8492273/benny-blanco-miguel-i-found-you-refugees|url-status=live}}
In February 2019, Blanco released "I Can't Get Enough" with Tainy, Selena Gomez, and J Balvin. On August 30, 2019, Blanco released a song with Juice Wrld called "Graduation", their second collaboration after "Roses".{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/benny-blanco-juice-wrld-graduation-video|title=Benny Blanco and Juice WRLD Drop Cameo-Stacked "Graduation" Video|website=Complex|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914054501/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/benny-blanco-juice-wrld-graduation-video|url-status=live}}
In October 2020, Blanco released his first artist collaboration with Justin Bieber titled "Lonely".{{Cite magazine|last=Hissong|first=Samantha|date=October 15, 2020|title=Justin Bieber's New Song Drops Friday, But You Can Hear It on Snapchat a Day Before|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/justin-bieber-teases-new-song-lonely-snapchat-sounds-1075473/|access-date=October 16, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015123249/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/justin-bieber-teases-new-song-lonely-snapchat-sounds-1075473/|url-status=live}} The second and third singles ("Real Shit" with Juice Wrld{{Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=December 2, 2020|title=Hear Juice WRLD and Benny Blanco's Unreleased Song 'Real Shit'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/juice-wrld-benny-blanco-real-shit-1097816/|access-date=March 31, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325133927/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/juice-wrld-benny-blanco-real-shit-1097816/|url-status=live}} and "Unlearn" with Gracie Abrams{{Cite web|last=Amorosi|first=A. D.|date=March 19, 2021|title=Hitmaker of the Month: Benny Blanco on Working With Justin Bieber and Juice WRLD and His Own New Album|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/benny-blanco-hitmaker-month-friends-keep-secrets-justin-bieber-1234933109/|access-date=March 31, 2021|website=Variety|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325223818/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/benny-blanco-hitmaker-month-friends-keep-secrets-justin-bieber-1234933109/|url-status=live}}) followed in December 2020 and March 2021, respectively.
A deluxe version of his album Friends Keep Secrets 2 was released on March 26, 2021, and was certified RIAA platinum on the day of release.
On August 5, 2022, Blanco released his first artist collaboration with BTS members Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook as well as Snoop Dogg titled "Bad Decisions".{{Cite magazine |date=July 20, 2022 |title=BTS, Snoop Dogg & Benny Blanco's Collab 'Bad Decisions' Finally Has a Release Date: Here's When It Arrives |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bts-snoop-dogg-benny-blanco-bad-decisions-release-date-1235116227/ |access-date=September 29, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}
On December 16, 2023, a posthumous Juice Wrld song with Blanco and Eminem titled "Lace It" was released.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2023 |title=Listen to Juice WRLD, Eminem, and Benny Blanco's New Song "Lace It" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-juice-wrld-eminem-and-benny-blanco-new-song-lace-it/ |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=Pitchfork}}
On October 17, 2024, Blanco released a collaboration with Myke Towers, the song "Degenere" reached #1 on the Latin Airplay Chart and Billboard's Latin Rhythm Chart.
In February 2025, Blanco and fiancée Selena Gomez announced a collaborative album, I Said I Love You First, which was released on March 21, 2025. "Scared of Loving You" was the first track to be released from the album.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=2025-02-14 |title=Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco to Release Collaborative Album, 'I Said I Love You First' |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/selena-gomez-benny-blanco-collaborative-album-i-said-i-love-you-first-1236307405/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
=Media=
On March 9, 2020, Blanco and acclaimed chef Matty Matheson debuted a new collaborative cooking show, Matty and Benny Eat Out America, on Blanco's YouTube channel. The first episode featured a behind-the-scenes visit to fellow YouTuber Kenny Beats's show The Cave where Blanco teaches Matheson to rap. Additional episodes included Lil Dicky, Mason Ramsey, Diplo, Laird Hamilton and more.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_kURhHCqhQ| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616173704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_kURhHCqhQ| archive-date=June 16, 2020|title=The Worlds Greatest Food Show {{!}} Matty and Benny Eat Out America {{!}} Trailer|date=March 3, 2020|website=YouTube}}
On April 16, 2020, Blanco made his TV debut playing a fictionalized version of himself on the first and second seasons of the FXX series Dave with Lil Dicky.{{cite web |last=Kranich |first=Briana |title=Lil Dicky's DAVE: 10 Famous Celebrities Who Appeared In Season 1 |url=https://screenrant.com/lil-dicky-dave-famous-celebrities-cameos-season-one-justin-bieber-kardashian/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=February 5, 2022 |date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415040859/https://screenrant.com/lil-dicky-dave-famous-celebrities-cameos-season-one-justin-bieber-kardashian/ |url-status=live }}
On March 31, 2021, Blanco and chef Matty Matheson debuted a new cooking show on Blanco's YouTube channel, called Stupid F*cking Cooking Show.{{Cite web |last=Crosbie |first=Eve |title=13 things you probably didn't know about Benny Blanco, the music producer Selena Gomez says she is dating |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/benny-blanco-age-songs-girlfriend-selena-gomez-2023-12#he-is-a-keen-cook-and-has-a-cookbook-coming-out-next-year-10 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}
= Books =
Blanco's first book, Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends,{{Cite web |last=travisr |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Superstar Songwriter, Record Producer, and Author benny blanco Makes His Stern Show Debut |url=https://www.howardstern.com/show/2024/05/14/superstar-songwriter-record-producer-and-author-benny-blanco-makes-his-stern-show-debut/ |access-date=May 31, 2024 |publisher=Howard Stern}} was published on April 30, 2024, by Dey Street Books/HarperCollins.{{Cite web |title=Benny Blanco Jokes SZA Only Comes Over When He Cooks These Dishes: 'A Gift and a Curse' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/benny-blanco-jokes-sza-only-comes-over-when-he-makes-these-dishes-open-wide-exclusive-8605765 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |magazine=People}} Co-authored with Jess Damuck, Open Wide debuted on best seller lists from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today,{{Cite web |title=10 of the best new cookbooks in 2024 |url=https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cooking/features/best-new-cookbooks-2024 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |newspaper=USA Today }} sitting on The New York Times list for two weeks at publication. The book is a guide to entertaining and features Blanco's own recipes as well as dishes and advice from friends including Matty Matheson, Lil Dicky, Mike Solomonov, Mario Carbone and Eric André.
Record labels
In 2014, Blanco founded two imprint labels under Interscope, Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets.{{Cite news |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Benny Blanco Is the Perfect Boyfriend. He Even Cooks. |url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/food-cooking/benny-blanco-cookbook-for-friends-open-wide-8186d494 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} The former label includes the following artists, many of whom were initially signed with the former, which served as its predecessor.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/07/31/tory-lanez-say-it-premiere|title=Tory Lanez Premieres "Say It," Announces Deal With Benny Blanco|date=March 5, 2014|work=thefader.com|access-date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527091743/http://www.thefader.com/2015/07/31/tory-lanez-say-it-premiere|url-status=live}}
- Tory Lanez{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/07/31/tory-lanez-say-it-premiere|title=Tory Lanez Premieres 'Say It,' Announces Deal With Benny Blanco|work=The Fader|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000248/https://www.thefader.com/2015/07/31/tory-lanez-say-it-premiere|url-status=live}} (former)
- Cashmere Cat{{Cite news|url=http://www.factmag.com/2014/02/03/awkward-romance-cashmere-cat-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-working-with-luckyme-and-ludacris/|title=Awkward romance: Cashmere Cat pulls back the curtain on working with LuckyMe and Ludacris – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|date=February 3, 2014|work=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201158/http://www.factmag.com/2014/02/03/awkward-romance-cashmere-cat-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-working-with-luckyme-and-ludacris/|url-status=live}}
- Trill Sammy{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7980849/benny-blanco-interscope-geffen-am|title=Benny Blanco Extends Deal With Interscope Geffen A&M|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928214215/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7980849/benny-blanco-interscope-geffen-am|url-status=live}}
- 6 Dogs{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/04/24/6-dogs-best-song-lyrics|title=6 dogs is the new hook god|work=The FADER|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201012/https://www.thefader.com/2018/04/24/6-dogs-best-song-lyrics|url-status=live}} (former; deceased)
- Ryn Weaver{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/arts/music/ryn-weavers-the-fool-is-deeply-personal-indie-pop.html|title=Ryn Weaver's 'The Fool' Is Deeply Personal Indie Pop|work=The New York Times |date=June 12, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200916/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/arts/music/ryn-weavers-the-fool-is-deeply-personal-indie-pop.html|url-status=live |last1=Ryzik |first1=Melena }}
- Jessie Ware{{Cite news|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/jessie-ware-and/|title=Jessie Ware and producer Benny Blanco discuss the making of her new album 'Tough Love' in new video (watch)|work=BrooklynVegan|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200939/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/jessie-ware-and/|url-status=live}}
As of 2024, they were both defunct, Interscope relaunched a new A&M Records label, operated by Blanco.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Billboard |date=2017-09-27 |title=Benny Blanco Extends Deal With Interscope Geffen A&M |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/benny-blanco-interscope-geffen-am/amp/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Blanco has been in a relationship with Selena Gomez since June 2023.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/selena-gomez-healthy-relationship-benny-blanco-romance-1235564254/ |title=Selena Gomez Shares 'Healthy' Relationship Must-Haves Amid Benny Blanco Romance |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |magazine=Billboard |date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223170342/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/selena-gomez-healthy-relationship-benny-blanco-romance-1235564254/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|date=February 14, 2024 |title=Selena Gomez shares loved up pictures with boyfriend Benny Blanco |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-shares-loved-up-pictures-with-boyfriend-benny-blanco-1503269456.html |access-date=February 14, 2024 |newspaper=The Statesman}} They formally announced their engagement on December 11, 2024, following a period of media rumors.{{Cite web |last1=Crabtree |first1=Erin |last2=Grebenyuk |first2=Yana |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Selena Gomez and Boyfriend Benny Blanco Are Engaged After More Than 1 Year of Dating: 'Forever Begins Now' |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/selena-gomez-benny-blanco-are-engaged-after-1-year-of-dating/ |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Are Engaged: 'Forever Begins Now' |url=https://people.com/selena-gomez-benny-blanco-are-engaged-married-8661420 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=People.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Selena Gomez announces engagement to Benny Blanco |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27wwyqqweo |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
Discography
= As producer =
{{See also|Benny Blanco production discography}}
=Albums=
==Studio albums<!-- Please do not change to EP, Blanco himself called it his debut album -->==
==Collaborative albums==
==Reissues==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of reissues, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| IRE |
|---|
| scope="row"| Friends Keep Secrets 2
|
| 97 |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==Promotional singles==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Bub. ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| WW |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Scared of Loving You" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} | rowspan="2"| 2025 | 12 || 97 || 14 || — | rowspan="2"| I Said I Love You First |
| scope="row"| "Younger and Hotter Than Me" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} | 2 || 85 || 11 || 166 |
| colspan="7" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Other charted songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| IRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| WW |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Ojos Tristes" {{small|(with Selena Gomez and the Marías)}} | rowspan="5"| 2025 | 56 || 83 || — || 12 || — || 51 | rowspan="5"| I Said I Love You First |
| scope="row"| "Don't Wanna Cry" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Don't Wanna Cry" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 18 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row"| "Cowboy" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Cowboy" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row"| "Bluest Flame" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Bluest Flame" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || 92 || 81 |
| scope="row"| "How Does It Feel to Be Forgotten" {{small|(with Selena Gomez)}} |
| colspan="9" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
Songwriting and production discography
{{Main|Benny Blanco production discography}}
Blanco has written and produced songs for artists including Ed Sheeran ("Don't" and "Castle on the Hill"),{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2017 |title=Hitmaker Benny Blanco Extends Deal With Interscope |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/hitmaker-benny-blanco-extends-deal-with-interscope-1202574786/ |access-date=September 26, 2024 |magazine=Variety}} Justin Bieber ("Love Yourself"), Major Lazer ("Cold Water"), Maroon 5 ("Moves Like Jagger", "Payphone", "Maps", "Animals", "Don't Wanna Know"), Katy Perry ("Teenage Dream", "California Gurls"), Rihanna ("Diamonds"), Kesha ("TiK ToK", "We R Who We R"), Taio Cruz ("Dynamite"), Wiz Khalifa ("Work Hard, Play Hard"), Gym Class Heroes ("Stereo Hearts"), Lil Dicky ("Freaky Friday"), Tory Lanez ("Luv").{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/benny-blanco-mn0000791294/credits|publisher=AllMusic|title=Benny Blanco Credits|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520001347/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/benny-blanco-mn0000791294/credits|url-status=live}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;"
|+Name of the award ceremony, year presented, nominee(s) of the award, category, and the result of the nomination ! scope="col" | Award ceremony ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Nominee(s)/work(s) ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="8" scope="row" | BMI Awards
| 2011 | rowspan="2" | benny blanco | rowspan="2" | Pop Songwriter of the Year | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
|---|
| rowspan="4" | 2012
| {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
| "Moves like Jagger" ({{small|Maroon 5}})
| Song of the Year | {{won}} |
| benny blanco
|R&B/ Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
| benny blanco
|Pop Songwriter of the Year | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
| 2013
| rowspan="2" | benny blanco | Urban Songwriter of the Year | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" |{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/maroon-5s-adam-levine-honored-523428/|title=Maroon 5's Adam Levine Honored at BMI Pop Awards|last=Wills|first=Cortney|date=May 15, 2013|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805075838/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/maroon-5s-adam-levine-honored-523428/|archive-date=August 5, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=August 5, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2024-04-25 |title=Benny Blanco to Receive BMI President’s Award at 2024 BMI Pop Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/benny-blanco-bmi-presidents-award-2024-bmi-pop-awards-1235666177/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} |
| 2014
| Pop Songwriter of the Year | {{won}} |
| 2024
|benny blanco |Presidents Award |{{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Clio Awards
| rowspan="2" | 2019 | rowspan="2" | "I Found You / Nilda's Story" ({{small|Benny Blanco, Calvin Harris, and Miguel}}) | Music Videos | {{won|place=Gold}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |{{Cite web|url=https://clios.com/music/winners?year=2019|title=2019 Clio Music Winners|website=Clios|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720200505/https://clios.com/music/winners?year=2019|archive-date=July 20, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=July 20, 2022}} |
| Direction
| {{won|place=Gold}} |
| scope="row" | Golden Globe Awards
| 2017 | "Faith" ({{small|Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande}}) | Best Original Song | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
| scope="row" rowspan="10" | Grammy Awards
| 2011 | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="10" |{{cite web|title=Artist {{!}} Benny Blanco|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/benny-blanco/11722|website=Grammy.com|publisher=Recording Academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718005604/https://www.grammy.com/artists/benny-blanco/11722|archive-date=July 18, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=July 17, 2022}} |
| 2013
| "Heart Attack" | {{nom}} |
| 2015
| x | rowspan="2" | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="4" | 2017
| Purpose | {{nom}} |
| "Love Yourself"
| {{nom}} |
| "Luv"
| {{nom}} |
| Benny Blanco
| Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | {{nom}} |
| 2018
| "Issues" | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| "Lonely" | Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | {{nom}} |
| Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | iHeartRadio Music Awards
| rowspan="2" | 2017 | "Love Yourself" ({{small|Justin Bieber}}) | Best Lyrics | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2" | Benny Blanco
| rowspan="2" | Producer of the Year | {{won}} |
| 2018
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" | iHeartRadio Titanium Award
|2019 |"Eastside" (with Khalid & Halsey) |1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations |{{Won}} |
| scope="row" | Ivor Novello Awards
| 2018 | "Castle on the Hill" ({{small|Ed Sheeran}}) | PRS for Most Performed Work | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" | Songwriters Hall of Fame
| 2013 | rowspan="2" | Benny Blanco | {{won}} |
| scope="row" | Spotify Secret Genius Awards
| 2018 | Secret Genius: Pop | {{won}} |
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| 2020
! scope="row" | Dave |Actor and Producer | |
| 2021
! scope="row" | Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss | rowspan="2" | Himself |
| 2023
! scope="row" | The Eric Andre Show | style="text-align:center;" | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|benny-blanco.com}}
- [https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/openwide Open Wide a cookbook for friends]
{{Benny Blanco}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blanco, Benny}}
Category:Record producers from Virginia
Category:Jewish American composers
Category:Songwriters from Virginia
Category:People from Reston, Virginia
Category:Interscope Records artists
Category:21st-century American Jews
Category:Latin music songwriters