- Benny Blanco is an American record producer. He is famous for his work with many top artists like Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Kanye West, and many more. He has garnered significant recognition in the music industry, including the prestigious 2013 Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Notably, he clinched the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award five times and secured the 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award.
- Mentored by the esteemed songwriter and producer Dr. Luke, Blanco co-produced and co-wrote numerous hit singles in the late 2000s, contributing to over 500 million album-equivalent units sold worldwide for several artists. In July 2018, Blanco ventured into his solo career, releasing the chart-topping single "Eastside" with Halsey and Khalid, followed by several successful collaborations like "I Found You" with Calvin Harris and "Roses" with Brendon Urie and Juice Wrld. His debut album, "Friends Keep Secrets," released in December of the same year, achieved platinum certification in 2021. He has been classified as “The Hitmaker” for musicians Maroon 5 and Rihanna by the New York Times. He is currently making headlines as he is dating singer, Selena Gomez.
Who is Benny Blanco?
- Benny Blanco, the renowned American record producer, has left an indelible mark on the music industry, working with top artists like Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Halsey, and Kanye West. Co-producing and co-writing numerous hit singles, he contributed to over 500 million album-equivalent units sold worldwide for various artists.
- Benny Blanco, born on March 8, 1988, hails from Reston, Virginia, USA. Benjamin Joseph Levin is his birth name. About his family, he is the son of his father, Andrew Mark Levin, and his mother, Sandra Beth. Raised in a Jewish household with his brother Jeremy, Blanco exhibited a penchant for music from a young age, influenced by the cassette tapes featuring Nas and All-4-One that he heard at the age of 5. Intrigued by the world of music, he began experimenting with recording on his boombox during his early years. At the age of 13, Blanco made the pivotal decision to pursue a career in music as a rapper, and by 12, he was already DJing at clubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Notably, at 15, he took on the role of producing beats for a soft-core adult DVD titled "Hip Hop Honeys."
- In 2005, Blanco's journey in the music industry took a significant turn when he started working for record producer David Shayman (Disco D) in New York, following an internship offer. Completing his education at South Lakes High School in 2006, Blanco's early experiences paved the way for his remarkable career in music.
Benny Blanco Career
- Benny Blanco's journey into the music industry began in his bedroom, where he crafted hip-hop instrumentals and laid down his own vocals.
- Influenced by cassette tapes featuring Nas' "The World Is Yours" and All-4-One's "I Swear," Blanco's early foray into beat-making and self-recording caught the attention of The Source and Columbia Records executives.
- After an apprenticeship with producer Disco D, he found mentorship under songwriter and producer Dr. Luke, joining Kasz Money Productions.
- Collaborating on chart-toppers like Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and Kesha's "TiK ToK," Blanco's talents expanded to writing and producing Britney Spears' hit "Circus."
- Further successes followed with Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" and Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts."
- He also went on to work on Maroon 5's Platinum-selling album Overexposed and its lead single "Payphone" featuring Wiz Khalifa.
- His achievements culminated in 29 number-one songs and recognition as Producer of the Year at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards, showcasing Blanco's impact across genres and with artists like BTS, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and more.
- In 2007, he joined forces with Baltimore rappers Spank Rock for the release of "Spank Rock and Benny Blanco Are...Bangers & Cash," an EP that utilized 2 Live Crew samples, drawing industry attention and establishing connections with future collaborators like Amanda Blank and Santigold.
- The collaborative EP received acclaim from notable sources like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
- In 2014, Blanco founded two imprint labels under Interscope, Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets.
- In July 2018, Blanco ventured into solo artistry with the release of "Eastside," featuring Halsey and Khalid, on his label Friends Keep Secrets with Interscope Records.
- The song achieved global success, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in various countries.
- Blanco continued his solo career with subsequent singles, including "I Found You" with Calvin Harris and "Roses" with Juice Wrld featuring Brendon Urie.
- His debut album, "Friends Keep Secrets," dropped on December 7, 2018.
- In early 2019, Benny Blanco showcased his philanthropic side with the release of "I Found You / Nilda's Story," a collaboration with Calvin Harris and Miguel. The song was part of The While They Wait Fund, supporting asylum seekers in the U.S.
- He continued his musical journey with collaborations like "I Can't Get Enough" featuring Tainy, Selena Gomez, and J Balvin, and "Graduation" with Juice Wrld in August 2019.
- Notably, Blanco's collaborative ventures extended to "Lonely" with Justin Bieber in October 2020, followed by singles with Juice WRLD ("Real Shit") in December 2020 and Gracie Abrams ("Unlearn") in March 2021.
- The deluxe version of his album Friends Keep Secrets 2, released on March 26, 2021, achieved RIAA platinum status on the day of its release.
- Blanco's diverse collaborations continued, culminating in the August 5, 2022 release of "Bad Decisions," his first collaboration with BTS members Jin, Jimin, V, Jung Kook, and Snoop Dogg.
- On March 9, 2020, he along with renowned chef Matty Matheson launched the collaborative cooking show, "Matty and Benny Eat Out America," on Blanco's YouTube channel.
- The series kicked off with a visit to YouTuber Kenny Beats's show "The Cave," where Blanco imparted some rap skills to Matty.
- He extended his on-screen presence by making his TV debut on the first and second seasons of the FXX series "Dave" with Lil Dicky on April 16, 2020.
- Continuing their culinary adventures, Blanco and Matty Matheson introduced a new cooking show, "Stupid F*cking Cooking Show," on March 31, 2021.
Awards and Achievements
BMI Awards
- 2011: Benny Blanco - Songwriter of the Year - Won
- 2012: Benny Blanco - Songwriter of the Year - Won
- 2012: "Moves like Jagger" (Maroon 5) - Most Performed Pop Song - Won
- 2013: Benny Blanco - Urban Songwriter of the Year - Won
- 2014: Benny Blanco - Songwriter of the Year - Won
- 2015: Benny Blanco - Songwriter of the Year - Won
Clio Awards
- 2019: "I Found You / Nilda's Story" (Benny Blanco, Calvin Harris, and Miguel) - Music Videos - Gold - Won
- 2019: "I Found You / Nilda's Story" (Benny Blanco, Calvin Harris, and Miguel) - Direction - Gold - Won
Golden Globe Awards
- 2017: "Faith" (Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande) - Best Original Song - Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards
- 2017: "Love Yourself" (Justin Bieber) - Best Lyrics - Won
- 2017: Benny Blanco - Producer of the Year - Won
- 2018: Benny Blanco - Producer of the Year - Nominated
iHeartRadio Titanium Award
- 2019: "Eastside" (with Khalid & Halsey) - 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations - Won
Ivor Novello Awards
- 2018: "Castle on the Hill" (Ed Sheeran) - PRS for Most Performed Work - Nominated
Songwriters Hall of Fame
- 2013: Benny Blanco - Hal David Starlight Award - Won
Spotify Secret Genius Awards
- 2018: Secret Genius: Pop - Won
Benny Blanco Net Worth 2023
Benny Blanco stands as one of Hollywood's preeminent record producers and songwriters, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry by crafting numerous chart-topping hits that catapulted artists to fame. With a net worth of $55 million as of 2023 and an annual salary exceeding $5 million, Blanco's primary wealth source is the music industry. Based in Virginia, he resides in a luxurious home and holds additional properties in New York and Beverly Hills. Blanco's appreciation for cars is reflected in his extensive collection, featuring vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes Benz, Ford Mustang, and Aston Martin.
Aside from his production fees, Blanco earns royalties for his creations' continued success, with hits like "Cold Water" and "Eastside" contributing significantly. Co-writing songs with fellow artists grants him a share of the songwriting royalties, while ownership of music publishing rights adds to his income through licensing agreements. Beyond music, Blanco's financial portfolio includes strategic investments in real estate, generating passive income and potential appreciation. Further diversifying his income streams, Blanco has ventured into entrepreneurship, launching his record label, Friends Keep Secrets, and engaging in other business ventures. He is living a lavish lifestyle as of now.
Who is Benny Blanco Girlfriend, Selena Gomez?
As of December 2023, Benny Blanco is romantically involved with the acclaimed singer Selena Gomez. Reports surfaced about their relationship after an Instagram account shared a black-and-white photo featuring Selena and Benny. PopCrave subsequently revealed that Selena responded to fans' inquiries in the comments section, expressing her deep affection for Benny. Selena shared, "He is my absolute everything in my heart" and affirmed that he has been the best thing to ever happen to her. Responding to fans' comments, she reiterated that Benny surpasses any previous relationships, stating, "lol yeah and he's still better than anyone I've ever been with. Facts." Selena further confirmed the relationship when she replied, "Facts," to an Instagram post featuring an image of her and Benny, solidifying their romantic connection.
Everything To Know About Selena Gomez
Previously, Benny fell in love and proposed to a girl named Ashley who is also a music producer. However, they split after some time as Ashley turned out to be a lesbian.
How tall is Benny Blanco?
Benny Blanco, standing at an average height of 5 feet 9 inches with a build characterized as average, possesses a well-maintained physique with a weight of 82 kg or 181 lbs. His natural black hair and hazel eyes contribute to his handsome appearance, complemented by distinctive features like wavy hair and a broad smile.
Beyond his physical attributes, Blanco actively engages in basketball, incorporating it as a means to stay healthy and fit while effectively burning excess body fat. Despite his commitment to physical activity, Benny embraces a more relaxed approach to his diet, expressing a genuine enjoyment of food and opting not to adhere to a strict dietary regimen.
Facts About Benny Blanco
1. Benny has written and produced songs for several renowned artists
Benny Blanco has made a significant impact in the music industry by writing and producing songs for a myriad of renowned artists. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with Ed Sheeran on hits like "Don't" and "Castle on the Hill," Justin Bieber's chart-topper "Love Yourself," Major Lazer's "Cold Water," and Maroon 5's chart-toppers such as "Moves Like Jagger," "Don't Wanna Know," "Payphone," "Maps," and "Animals." Blanco's creative contributions extend to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and "California Gurls," Rihanna's "Diamonds," Kesha's "TiK ToK," Taio Cruz's "Dynamite," Wiz Khalifa's "Work Hard, Play Hard," Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts," Lil Dicky's "Freaky Friday," and Tory Lanez's "Luv."
2. He founded two imprint labels under Interscope
In 2014, he established two imprint labels under Interscope, namely Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets. Mad Love Records has been the platform for various artists, including Tory Lanez (former member), Cashmere Cat, Trill Sammy, the late 6 Dogs (former member), Ryn Weaver, and Jessie Ware. Many of these artists were initially signed to Blanco's development imprint, Friends Keep Secrets.
3. He has worked with Maroon 5 for their album
In 2011, Benny marked a significant milestone in his career by writing and producing chart-topping hits without the guidance of Dr. Luke. Notably, these hits included Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts," and 3OH!3's "Don't Trust Me." Building on this success, Blanco continued his collaboration with Maroon 5, contributing to their Platinum-selling album "Overexposed" and producing its lead single, "Payphone," featuring Wiz Khalifa.
4. He has been involved in multiple charity events
Benny Blanco has actively contributed to various charity initiatives over the course of his career. In 2010, he initiated the 'Get Well Soon' tour, specifically designed to bring joy and distraction to sick children undergoing chronic treatments in hospitals. The tour featured performances by musical superstars, aiming to uplift the spirits of the young patients. Blanco's commitment to charitable endeavors continued in 2018 when he participated in the #RocDaCourt celebrity basketball game, dedicated to raising funds for the youth of Southern Nevada. Through his involvement in these charitable events, Blanco has demonstrated a genuine commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.