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This episode features a lively conversation with super-producer and multi-platinum songwriter Benny Blanco, who reflects on his extraordinary journey from cold-calling record labels as a teenager to crafting massive hits for artists like Britney Spears, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna. The guest shares hilarious and candid anecdotes about his childhood, his aversion to flying that leads him to take seven-day ocean liners to Europe, and how he eventually reconnected and built a life with his wife, Selena Gomez. Along the way, the hosts and the guest trade banter about personal routines, the importance of relentless hustle, and navigating the music industry without any formal training.
The episode opens with a series of ad reads from Hilton, Whole Foods, and other sponsors before the hosts begin their conversation.
The hosts welcome listeners, joke about a cold open, and set the stage for the episode’s main content.
The hosts introduce Benny Blanco, giving a brief background and hinting at his career highlights.
Benny discusses his upbringing, family dynamics, and early musical influences.
Benny explains how he connected with producers, secured studio time, and began touring and recording.
The conversation shifts to Benny’s major hits, collaborations with top artists, and his impact on contemporary pop music.
Benny recounts how he started making music, his first beats, and early opportunities in high school.
Benny reflects on his journey, personal growth, and future projects, wrapping up the interview with insights for aspiring musicians.
Benny describes his debut day in Los Angeles, working with industry giants and feeling out of his depth.
Benny explains how he transitioned from rapping to writing pop songs, starting with Britney Spears’ track.
He reflects on hustling, learning on the job, and the importance of hard work in achieving success.
Benny shares the evolution of his friendship and eventual romance with Selena Gomez, from early meetings to dates.
The guest explains that his severe neuroses prevent him from flying, so whenever he travels to Europe, he drives cross-country to New York and boards a ship for seven days.
First Music Industry Paycheckdata
The guest earned his first five hundred dollars in music at age fourteen by producing beats for a softcore adult video series called Hip Hop Honeys owned by Jonathan Schecter.
Co-Writing Britney Spears' Circusstory
At age eighteen, after meeting producer Dr. Luke and admitting he did not know how to write a traditional pop song, the guest used his rapping background to help co-write the hit song Circus.
Dating Selena Gomezstory
The guest details how a reconnection in the recording studio over the song Single Soon led to a casual dinner date, a first kiss, and an inseparable romantic relationship.
Threatening to Leak Phone Numbersinsight
Before heading off to an appearance on Howard Stern, the guest playfully threatens to air out the hosts on live radio if they do not text him back immediately.
“I was super into it. And my brother, this was like the era of the CD book.”
“I was so many different things. Like, it's like, yeah, by the time I'm 13, I'm Benny Blanco from Carlito's Way.”
“I was on MySpace and I, I reached out to one of my favorite producers and I saw he was, he was booking studio time at his studio.”
“Max Martin has like the most number ones of, he has like more number ones than the Beatles.”
“I fudged my way completely into what I'm doing. Like, I just faked it and learned on the fucking job.”
“The thing that's cool is the artists all are really young.”
Fuel up the boat, it’s Benny Blanco. Medical consultations include: maritime insanity, post-pod showers, breakfast sandwiches, and intimate apparel. “I have nothing to say,” …on an all-new SmartLess.
14,889 words · 6 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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