The 2013 Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame marked a significant milestone for Benjamin Joseph Levin, professionally known as Benny Blanco. Emerging from a background of bedroom-produced hip-hop instrumentals, he has since established himself as a central figure in modern pop production, contributing to singles that have collectively sold 500 million album-equivalent units.
Early Development and Mentorship
Born in 1988 in Reston, Virginia, Levin gained early exposure to music through cassette tapes of Nas and All-4-One. After experimenting with beat-making on a boombox, he pursued music production with persistence, eventually securing an apprenticeship with producer Disco D. His professional trajectory accelerated under the mentorship of Dr. Luke at Kasz Money Productions, a partnership that facilitated his involvement in early industry hits like Katy Perry's Teenage Dream and Kesha's TiK ToK between 2008 and the mid-2010s.
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Blanco transitioned to independent production by 2011, working on high-profile projects such as Maroon 5's Overexposed. His catalog includes collaborations with artists including BTS, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Rihanna, and the Weeknd. Beyond production, he founded two labels as imprints of Interscope Records: Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets, which have signed acts like Tory Lanez and Jessie Ware. In 2025, he served as a short-term manager of A&M Records before being succeeded by Gregg Nadel.
Solo Projects and Collaborative Ventures
In 2018, Blanco launched his career as a lead artist with the single Eastside, featuring Halsey and Khalid, which reached the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100. This served as the lead single for his debut studio album, Friends Keep Secrets. He has continued to release solo material and collaborative albums, including a 2025 project with his wife, Selena Gomez. His work remains characterized by a high volume of chart-topping singles and ongoing Grammy-recognized output, such as his 2025 nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording.
Fast facts
- Born: 8 March 1988, Reston, Virginia
- Citizenship: United States
- Occupations: Record producer, author, songwriter, music executive
- Religion: Judaism
- Notable Award: 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year
- Labels founded: Mad Love Records, Friends Keep Secrets
- Spouse: Selena Gomez
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of the name Benny Blanco?
The name is derived from a fictional character played by John Leguizamo in the 1993 film Carlito's Way.
How many number-one songs has Benny Blanco achieved?
As of his career milestones, Blanco is credited with 29 total number-one songs.
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