Benjamin Joseph Levin, professionally known as Benny Blanco stylized in lowercase, is an American record producer, songwriter, record executive, and author born on March 8, 1988. He received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013 and has won the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award five times, along with the iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award in 2017. Blanco was mentored by songwriter and producer Dr. Luke, who signed him to Kasz Money Productions. Under Dr. Luke’s guidance, Blanco co-wrote and co-produced numerous hit singles starting in the late 2000s. His work has contributed to the success of artists like Ed Sheeran, BTS, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Rihanna, and The Weeknd, among others, with worldwide sales exceeding 500 million album-equivalent units.
Benny Blanco Biography 2024
In July 2018, Blanco released his debut single as a lead artist, “Eastside,” featuring Halsey and Khalid, which became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. He followed this with several other singles, including “I Found You” with Calvin Harris and “Better to Lie” with Jesse and Swae Lee. His debut album Friends Keep Secrets was released in December 2018 and later certified platinum by the RIAA. A deluxe version was released in March 2021. Blanco has also founded two labels under Interscope Records—Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets—in 2014, signing artists such as Tory Lanez, Jessie Ware, and Cashmere Cat. After these labels were dissolved in 2024, he took ownership of an imprint under A&M Records, a label founded by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss in 1962.
Benny Blanco Biography Details
Birth name | Benjamin Joseph Levin |
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Born | March 8, 1988 (age 36) Reston, Virginia, U.S. |
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Genres | Pop |
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Occupations | - Record producer
- songwriter
- record executive
- author
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Discography | Benny Blanco production discography |
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Years active | 2007–present |
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Labels | - Mad Love
- Interscope
- Friends Keep Secrets
- A&M
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Formerly of | |
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Benny Blanco Early Life
Benny Blanco was born in Reston, Virginia, and has an older brother. He is of Jewish descent. Blanco’s passion for music began at a young age, starting with producing hip-hop instrumentals and rapping in his bedroom. He was first exposed to music in 1994 at the age of six, through Nas’s “The World Is Yours” and All-4-One’s “I Swear” on cassette. Blanco’s early music creations caught the attention of The Source magazine and Columbia Records executives. During his childhood, he attended Camp Airy in Thurmont, Maryland, where he often performed and hosted a radio show under the name “Ebba Ebba.” Blanco later secured an apprenticeship with producer Disco D, after making several trips to New York City to meet with labels and producers.
Benny Blanco Career Highlights
Category | Facts |
Name | Benny Blanco (Benjamin Joseph Levin) |
Birthdate | March 8, 1988 |
Genres | Pop, Hip-Hop, Electronic |
Occupation | Record Producer, Songwriter, Author, Record Executive |
Awards | Hal David Starlight Award, BMI Songwriter of the Year (5 times), iHeartRadio Producer of the Year 2017 |
Key Collaborations | Ed Sheeran, BTS, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Rihanna, The Weeknd, Maroon 5 |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Aspect | Points |
Birthplace | Reston, Virginia |
Jewish Background | Yes |
Influence | Nas’s “The World Is Yours” and All-4-One’s “I Swear” |
Early Music Exposure | Rapping and beat-making at an early age |
First Industry Break | Apprenticeship with producer Disco D |
Career Development and Notable Achievements
Aspect | Information |
Early Success | Co-produced “Teenage Dream” and “TiK ToK” |
Notable Collaborations | Britney Spears’ “Circus”, Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” |
Awards | Hal David Starlight Award, iHeartRadio Producer of the Year 2017 |
Number 1 Songs | 29 total number-one hits |
Total Sales | Over 500 million album-equivalent units worldwide |
Label and Artist Signings
Aspect | Details |
Found Labels | Mad Love Records, Friends Keep Secrets, A&M Records |
Artist Signings | Tory Lanez, Jessie Ware, Cashmere Cat, Kali Uchis |
Label Closure | Mad Love and Friends Keep Secrets dissolved in 2024 |
Current Label | A&M Records |
Major Singles and Releases
Aspect | Facts |
Debut Single | “Eastside” (featuring Halsey and Khalid) |
Second Single | “I Found You” (with Calvin Harris) |
Other Singles | “Better to Lie”, “Roses” (with Juice Wrld), “Graduation” (with Juice Wrld) |
Album | Friends Keep Secrets (2018), Friends Keep Secrets 2 (2021) |
Benny Blanco’s Influence and Success in the Music Industry
Category | Details |
Collaborators | Worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, The Weeknd, BTS, Halsey, etc. |
Award Nominations | BMI Songwriter of the Year (5 times), iHeartRadio Music Awards |
Billboard Hot 100 Hits | 27 top-ten songs, including 7 number one singles |
RIAA Certifications | Multiple Platinum and Gold certifications |
Solo Career and Artist Projects
Aspect | Year |
Debut as Lead Artist | “Eastside” (2018) |
Subsequent Singles | “I Found You”, “Roses”, “Better to Lie” |
Albums | Friends Keep Secrets (2018), Friends Keep Secrets 2 (2021) |
Benny Blanco’s Entrepreneurial Ventures
Aspect | Details |
Book Release | Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends (2024) |
Cooking Shows | Matty and Benny Eat Out America (2020) |
TV Appearance | Played a fictionalized version of himself on Dave (2020) |
Benny Blanco’s Impact on Pop Culture
Aspect | Details |
Media Appearances | Featured on Dave, YouTube cooking shows |
Influence in Music | Strong presence in pop, hip-hop, and rock genres |
Collaborations with Iconic Artists | Collaborated with top artists like The Weeknd, BTS, and Justin Bieber |
Record Label History and Development
Aspect | Details |
Label Founding | Mad Love Records (2014), Friends Keep Secrets (2014), A&M Records (2024) |
Artists Signed | Tory Lanez, Jessie Ware, Cashmere Cat, Kali Uchis |
Label Closure and Relaunch | Mad Love and Friends Keep Secrets dissolved in 2024; A&M relaunched |
Benny Blanco Global Impact
Aspect | Details |
Worldwide Sales | Over 500 million album-equivalent units worldwide |
Chart Success | Global top 10 hits in multiple countries including UK, Australia, Canada |
Cultural Influence | Influential in both mainstream and underground music scenes |
Media and Publicity Involvement
Aspect | Details |
Cooking Show Collaborations | Partnered with chef Matty Matheson for YouTube cooking shows |
Social Media Presence | Active on platforms like YouTube, where he shares content related to food, music, and life |
Future Projects and Vision
Aspect | Details |
Upcoming Music | Continued collaborations with major artists |
Future Shows | More media and TV appearances, including a potential second season of Matty and Benny Eat Out America |
Entrepreneurial Goals | Focus on expanding his influence in both the food industry and digital space |
Benny Blanco Net Worth
Benny Blanco is a successful American recording artist, songwriter, rapper, and producer with a net worth of $50 million.
Benny Blanco Summary
Benny Blanco has solidified himself as a highly influential figure in the music industry. From his early days producing beats in his bedroom to becoming one of the most successful songwriters and producers in pop music, his contributions have shaped the sound of contemporary music. Blanco’s career is marked by iconic collaborations, chart-topping singles, and numerous awards. Beyond music, he is also a successful entrepreneur, engaging in projects that merge his passion for food, culture, and entertainment. As he continues to evolve artistically and professionally, Benny Blanco remains a dynamic and influential force in both the music and media industries.