benny blanco

Benjamin Joseph Levin, known professionally as Benny Blanco, was born on March 8, 1988, in Reston, Virginia. He began his musical journey by producing hip-hop instrumentals in his bedroom and recording his own vocals over them. His early exposure to music came in 1994 with Nas's "The World Is Yours" and All-4-One's "I Swear" on cassette tapes, which influenced his initial productions. His stage name, Benny Blanco, was inspired by a character in the film "Carlito's Way" and also referenced his identity as a white rapper.

Blanco's talent and dedication led him to secure an apprenticeship with producer Disco D after multiple trips from Virginia to New York City to meet with labels and producers. This mentorship paved the way for his entry into the music industry. He was later mentored by producer Dr. Luke, who signed him to his production company, Kasz Money Productions. Under Dr. Luke's guidance, Blanco co-produced and co-wrote numerous hits, including Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," Kesha's "TiK ToK," and Taio Cruz's "Dynamite."

In 2008, Blanco co-wrote and produced Britney Spears' "Circus," which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her second-best-selling digital song in the United States, with over 3.2 million downloads as of July 2016. The song also ranked among the top 10 best-selling songs globally in 2009, with 5.5 million digital copies sold that year.

By 2011, Blanco began to establish himself independently, co-writing and producing hits like Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts," and 3OH!3's "Don't Trust Me." He continued his collaboration with Maroon 5, contributing to their Platinum-selling album "Overexposed" and its lead single "Payphone" featuring Wiz Khalifa.

Blanco's contributions to the music industry have been widely recognized. In 2013, he received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honor awarded to young artists who have made a significant impact on the industry. By 2017, he had amassed 29 number-one songs and was named Producer of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Expanding his repertoire, Blanco ventured into releasing music as a solo artist. In July 2018, he debuted with the single "Eastside," featuring Halsey and Khalid. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in several countries, including New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. He followed this success with singles like "I Found You" with Calvin Harris, "Better to Lie" with Jesse and Swae Lee, and "Roses" with Juice Wrld featuring Brendon Urie. His debut album, "Friends Keep Secrets," was released on December 7, 2018, and a deluxe version, "Friends Keep Secrets 2," was released on March 26, 2021, coinciding with the original receiving a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In addition to his work as a producer and artist, Blanco founded two imprint labels under Interscope Records in 2014: Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets. Through these labels, he signed artists such as Tory Lanez, Jessie Ware, and Cashmere Cat. After both labels dissolved a decade later, he signed with A&M Records, an imprint of Interscope, where he became a general manager.

Blanco's personal life has also garnered public attention. Since June 2023, he has been in a relationship with singer and actress Selena Gomez. The couple announced their engagement on December 11, 2024. They have collaborated professionally as well, releasing the single "Scared of Loving You" in February 2025 as a preview of their upcoming joint album, "I Said I Love You First," set for release on March 21, 2025. The album is described as an ode to their love story, featuring 14 songs that chronicle their relationship from before they met to their future together.

Throughout his career, Blanco has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate within the music industry. His extensive list of collaborations includes work with Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Lana Del Rey, Miguel, Halsey, and Camila Cabello, among others. His influence and contributions have left an indelible mark on modern pop music, solidifying his status as one of the industry's most prolific and successful figures.