History of Benny Blanco in Timeline
Benny Blanco, born Benjamin Joseph Levin, is a highly acclaimed American record producer, songwriter, record executive, and actor. His exceptional talent has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also received the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award five times and was named the iHeartRadio Producer of the Year in 2017.
March 8, 1988: Benny Blanco is Born
Benjamin Joseph Levin is born on March 8, 1988. He will become known as Benny Blanco, a prominent American record producer, songwriter, record executive, and actor.
1994: Benny Blanco's Early Musical Influences
At the age of six, Benny Blanco's passion for music is ignited by listening to cassette tapes of Nas' "The World Is Yours" and All-4-One's "I Swear." These early influences shape his musical journey and inspire him to begin creating his own music.
2007: Benny Blanco Collaborates with Spank Rock
Benny Blanco joins forces with Baltimore rappers Spank Rock to release "Spank Rock and Benny Blanco Are...Bangers & Cash." This collaborative EP, drawing inspiration from 2 Live Crew samples, gains recognition within the music industry and sets the stage for future partnerships with artists like Amanda Blank and Santigold. The EP receives critical acclaim from renowned publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
2008: Benny Blanco Co-Writes and Produces Britney Spears' "Circus"
Benny Blanco collaborates with Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly to write and produce Britney Spears' hit single "Circus." The song goes on to achieve international success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
2009: "Circus" Becomes One of the Best-Selling Songs Globally
Benny Blanco's co-written and co-produced track "Circus" for Britney Spears becomes a global sensation, selling 5.5 million digital copies worldwide. Its immense popularity solidified its position as one of the top 10 best-selling songs of 2009, according to the IFPI.
2011: Benny Blanco's Breakthrough Year as a Solo Producer
Benny Blanco marks a pivotal point in his career by producing his first charting hits without Dr. Luke. These include popular tracks such as Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts," and 3OH!3's "Don't Trust Me." This successful year establishes him as a sought-after producer in his own right.
June 13, 2013: Benny Blanco Receives the Hal David Starlight Award
Benny Blanco is honored with the Hal David Starlight Award at the 44th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony. This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional talent and influence on the music industry at a young age.
2013: Benny Blanco Receives the Hal David Starlight Award
Benny Blanco was awarded the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry at a young age.
2014: Benny Blanco Founds Mad Love and Friends Keep Secrets Record Labels
Benny Blanco establishes two record labels, Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets, as imprints of Interscope Records. These ventures demonstrate his commitment to nurturing new talent in the music industry.
2014: Founding of Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets
Benny Blanco founded two imprint labels under Interscope Records: Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets.
July 2016: Benny Blanco's "Circus" Achieves Massive Sales
By July 2016, "Circus," the song written and produced by Benny Blanco for Britney Spears, had sold over 3.2 million downloads in the United States alone, making it one of her best-selling digital tracks.
2017: Benny Blanco Wins iHeartRadio Producer of the Year
Benny Blanco is honored with the iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award, highlighting his exceptional work in music production.
2017: Benny Blanco Wins iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award
Benny Blanco's remarkable production skills are acknowledged as he receives the iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award. This accolade underscores his significant contributions to the music world.
July 2018: Benny Blanco Releases Debut Single "Eastside"
Benny Blanco launches his career as a lead artist with the release of "Eastside," featuring Halsey and Khalid. The song achieves remarkable success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts globally.
July 2018: Benny Blanco Releases Debut Single "Eastside"
Benny Blanco makes his debut as a solo artist with the release of "Eastside," a collaboration with Halsey and Khalid. The song achieves international success, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in multiple countries, including New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
December 7, 2018: Benny Blanco Releases Debut Album 'Friends Keep Secrets'
Benny Blanco's debut album, 'Friends Keep Secrets,' is released to the public, showcasing his growth as a solo artist and featuring collaborations from various prominent artists.
January 2019: Benny Blanco Releases "I Found You / Nilda's Story"
Benny Blanco releases "I Found You / Nilda's Story," a collaborative project with Calvin Harris and Miguel, coinciding with the launch of The While They Wait Fund. This initiative, supported by organizations like Brooklyn Defender Services, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, and the American Civil Liberties Union, aims to provide assistance to asylum seekers in the United States. The song's accompanying video, directed by Jake Schreier, sheds light on the experiences of Nilda, a Honduran woman, and her two-year-old son Keyden, emphasizing the challenges faced by asylum seekers.
February 2019: Benny Blanco Releases "I Can't Get Enough"
Benny Blanco collaborates with Tainy, Selena Gomez, and J Balvin to release "I Can't Get Enough." This star-studded collaboration demonstrates Benny Blanco's ability to bring together diverse musical talents and create a hit track.
August 30, 2019: Benny Blanco and Juice Wrld Release "Graduation"
Benny Blanco and Juice Wrld collaborate again to release "Graduation," marking their second joint effort following the success of "Roses." This song further solidifies their musical partnership and showcases their combined creative talents.
March 9, 2020: Matty and Benny Eat Out America Premiere
Benny Blanco and chef Matty Matheson debuted their collaborative cooking show, *Matty and Benny Eat Out America*, on Blanco's YouTube channel.
April 16, 2020: Television Debut on Dave
Benny Blanco made his television debut playing a fictionalized version of himself in the first two seasons of the FXX series *Dave*, starring Lil Dicky.
October 2020: Benny Blanco and Justin Bieber Release "Lonely"
Benny Blanco teams up with Justin Bieber for their first collaborative effort, releasing "Lonely." This highly anticipated collaboration showcases the creative synergy between two prominent music figures and resonates with audiences worldwide.
December 2020: Benny Blanco and Juice Wrld Release "Real Shit"
Benny Blanco and Juice Wrld release "Real Shit," another powerful collaboration that showcases their shared musical vision and ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level. This release marks their third joint project, further solidifying their creative partnership.
March 2021: Benny Blanco and Gracie Abrams Release "Unlearn"
Benny Blanco joins forces with Gracie Abrams to release "Unlearn." This collaborative effort highlights Benny Blanco's versatility in working with emerging artists and his commitment to exploring new musical territories.
March 2021: Benny Blanco's 'Friends Keep Secrets' Achieves Platinum Certification
Benny Blanco's debut studio album, 'Friends Keep Secrets,' is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) three years after its initial release.
March 26, 2021: Friends Keep Secrets 2 Deluxe Release
Benny Blanco's deluxe version of his album *Friends Keep Secrets 2* was released and certified RIAA platinum on the same day.
March 31, 2021: Stupid F*cking Cooking Show Premiere
Benny Blanco and chef Matty Matheson launched their new cooking show *Stupid F*cking Cooking Show* on Blanco's YouTube channel.
August 5, 2022: Bad Decisions Release
Benny Blanco released his first artist collaboration "Bad Decisions", featuring members of BTS (Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook) and Snoop Dogg.
July 2023: Relationship with Selena Gomez
Benny Blanco began a relationship with singer and actress Selena Gomez.
December 16, 2023: Lace It Release
Juice Wrld released "Lace It", a collaboration with Eminem and Benny Blanco.
April 30, 2024: OPEN WIDE: A Cookbook for Friends Publication
Benny Blanco's first book, *OPEN WIDE: A Cookbook for Friends*, co-authored with Jess Damuck, was published by Dey Street Books/Harper Collins. The book debuted on The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists.