Benny Blanco: “I wanted to slow things down a bit, but that same month I started dating Selena and just took off like a rocket.”

No one expected a sharp-tongued guy from Virginia with a mischievous streak to reach such heights. Today, he is a singer, churns out hits for other artists, is in one of Hollywood’s most scrutinized relationships—with Selena Gomez—and is putting the finishing touches on the release of his new album, Hermoso.

“Look at me. I look like a madman, yet I’m able to do what I dreamed of doing since I was a kid.” Benny Blanco is right. When he was born in a small town in Virginia, there was no hint of the things that lay in store for him. Neither his appearance, his mannerisms, nor his background fit the typical mold of a music star. And yet, this 38-year-old Jewish guy has steadily risen through the ranks as a producer and songwriter to become a sort of one-man band—with 12 Grammy nominations, a podcast called Friends Keep Secrets, and even a cookbook to his name.

In the middle of a photo shoot at a Brooklyn studio, Blanco couldn’t be more charming. He chats and jokes with everyone—his team, the photographer, the assistant—sharing anecdotes like the time he filmed a video completely naked in front of a fully clothed crew. He has come from Los Angeles to promote his new album, Hermoso, set for release on August 14. It features collaborations with his wife—megastar Selena Gomez—as well as artists like Becky G, Kali Uchis, Feid, Myke Towers, Mora, and the Spanish artist BB Trickz, with whom he recorded the album’s first released single, “Joven y salvaje.”

With this project, he pays tribute to the Latin music he has listened to all his life—much like he did with his and Gomez’s version of Jeanette’s “Ojos Tristes.” He constantly insists that he’s just a normal guy, like anyone else. He says that when he finishes up here, he’ll head off with his wife, who has made a surprise visit to New York. They probably won’t do anything special: just order takeout, watch TV in bed… “You know, like any couple.”

Why a Latin music album now? “I grew up in an area with a large Latin population, so that music has been around me since I was a kid. You’d get in the car and Jeanette would be playing; …while in another, cumbia was playing… I was always drawn to the drums and how the rhythms interacted with one another. It is a culture always full of fresh ideas and people who aren’t afraid to go against the grain.

Has it overtaken Anglo-Saxon pop? I get the feeling it has. All the Latin music that appeals to me has a bold edge—a certain grit, a kind of aggressiveness—that I think is sometimes missing from mainstream pop. I feel like pop music has stagnated in recent years and that no one is doing anything truly new.

While Latin culture and genius are being celebrated, Donald Trump’s administration is going after thousands upon thousands of people from this community. It moves me deeply. They are taking away some of the best people. They are the backbone of the United States. I find it very sad that innocent people are being taken away simply because of a piece of paper.

Is the arts and culture world in this country speaking out enough? Some are, but there are also people who are afraid to speak up. Perhaps they think it could affect their work. I am very proud of my wife; she always stands up for what matters to her and took a very firm stance regarding ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. It’s ridiculous. It shouldn’t even be necessary to take a side on this.

There is an ongoing debate about whether public figures should take a stand on these issues or if it is unfair to place that responsibility on them. I would never bring up the subject on my own initiative. After all, I’m just a guy who makes music and is particularly good at dick and fart jokes. But if someone asks me a question, I answer honestly. Still, I’m not a historian or a politician. I never meddle in things I don’t understand because I lack the necessary knowledge.

You’ve produced music for Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera… Clearly, you know how to craft a hit. How do you react when you realize you’ve got one on your hands? I wish I could always spot it, but there’s something… a spark that tips you off. I don’t know if it’s instinct, intuition, or my heart—sometimes I don’t listen to reason. When you create something truly great, you get a special feeling. I can only describe it as being like the moment before getting hit by a car or kissing someone for the first time. I feel that, and my heart starts racing. I don’t know if it’ll be a hit, but I know I love it. And if I love it, I figure there are other people who might like it too.

What does a song need to become a hit? Originality. It has to connect with people on a deep level and feel personal. When someone listens to a song of yours, they interpret it through the lens of their own life. Ever since I was a kid, whenever I heard songs, I’d think, “This is for me.” And it helped me get through things. That’s what I love about music. Those are the moments when you can really move people and reach the masses.

Looking at your background, no one could have predicted where you’ve ended up. I’m the perfect example of the fact that you can do whatever you want in life. I didn’t have connections. I’m from Virginia. No one in my family was in the music business, nor did I know anyone who was; I wasn’t born with millions of dollars to do whatever I pleased. I didn’t even have a studio or equipment. I feel like people can look at me and say, “Well, if he could do it, I can too.” It’s not even like I have incredible talent.

You must have some talent, though… But there are probably plenty of people in the world with more talent than I have. I simply refuse to lose. If I fail, it doesn’t matter; I get back up—as if nothing happened—and try again. I do the things that make me happy. And that way, I hope I can make others happy…ces a otras personas.

Perhaps part of his appeal lies precisely in the fact that he doesn’t fit the pop star stereotype. I’m unlike anyone else. My mother always used to say, “Be yourself, because all the other spots are already taken.” Don’t try to pretend to be someone else; just be you.

His wife is the third most-followed person on Instagram in the world, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. How does he handle that public exposure? I don’t like putting my life on display. Famous people are under constant scrutiny: if you say one thing, it’s wrong, and if you say the other, that’s wrong too. I’d like to have more privacy. I suppose I’m getting on in years; I belong to that transitional generation where social media didn’t exist when I was a kid. Maybe I’ll post a photo of my wife or a delicious dish I’ve tried, but I hardly ever post anything unrelated to work on my Instagram.

How does that level of fame affect him? It’s not something I love. It has a huge impact on my life. It’s a necessary evil—a price I’m willing to pay for the things I achieve because of it.

Eight years ago, he told The New York Times: “I’ve beaten the system. I have all the luxuries of being famous without actually being famous.” I’m not sure I could say the same thing today. No, not anymore. But I had to make that choice. I remember the time I decided to launch my artistic project. My manager said to me, “This is going to make you really famous.” I told him I didn’t think so—that there were plenty of people releasing music. He said, “Yeah, but you’re not like those guys. You have very extreme opinions. You’re a total goofball. You do crazy things. You’re not your typical celebrity. You say whatever you want. You come across like a madman.” And that’s exactly what happened. But I’m very lucky, because I racked up 15 years of experience without being famous, yet surrounded by a lot of famous people.

When did it all blow up? It was between 2018 and 2019. I released my song [Eastside, his first solo track] and it became very popular. So, I started getting a bit famous. And from that point on, things got really intense. I remember talking to my manager and telling him I wanted to slow things down a bit. That same month, I started dating Selena. It was as if what I was experiencing had been fitted with a jet booster: I was suddenly launched into the stratosphere. She’s been dealing with this her whole life, so it’s something we have to face together.

She knows it, because she’s been famous since she was a child. It’s a necessary evil for the things I love—including my wife. We kept our relationship private for a long time—about eight or nine months. She asked me, “Are you sure you want to do this? I’d understand if you just wanted us to be friends.” And I said, “You know what? Screw it.” We’re lucky because we both have friends and family we’ve known since before all this, and we’re surrounded by a great group of people we love.

Isn’t it hard working together? If you have an argument about personal matters, doesn’t that affect work? We’re pretty laid-back people… We don’t have those kinds of fights. I’d never raise my voice to her. If something doesn’t feel right to us, she might say, “I don’t like that!” And I’ll say, “Okay.” Then we try something else. Fortunately, we don’t clash. We have very similar tastes.

You’ll be turning 40 in two years—a major life milestone. What do you want to do by then? Maybe I’ll get some tattoos. Isn’t that what people do when they turn 40? They get tattoos or buy a car. I’m not interested in cars. I remember seeing Bad Bunny shirtless on Instagram once and thinking, “I need tattoos.”

I’ve read that you throw the best parties in Los Angeles. What makes a party spectacular? I design the experience. It might have a 1960s theme, or a cowboy theme… You arrive, and I take you into an environment you wouldn’t normally be in. You walk in feeling a bit nervous, but you’re immediately welcomed by all kinds of people: there might be a 75-year-old author who stops to chat with you for an hour; standing next to you might be an actor you’ve seen in a thousand movies, or even my mom. With incredible food, good conversation, probably great drinks and quality weed… you’re just going to have a good time. No one’s going to judge you; it’s a judgment-free zone. Say or do whatever you want, have fun, and leave whenever you feel like it. I might go to sleep early, but you can stay.

Is that why you moved from New York to Los Angeles? Are the parties better there? I hate the cold. I can handle it for two weeks, but I can’t stand it for four months.

Via: El Pais