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Transcript · SmartLess

Benny Blanco | SmartLess

1:05:43English, auto-generated captions13,747 words · 55 min read
In short · Summary by AI

Hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman interview producer and rapper Benny Blanco on SmartLess. He recounts his rise from a teen cold-calling labels and DJing in New York to co-writing hits for Britney Spears and Kesha, his decision to avoid flying by taking boats to Europe, and how his relationship with Selena Gomez developed. The episode is mostly light banter with the hosts, and its main takeaway is that persistent hustle and small steps lead to big opportunities.

Transcript

Opening banter and breakfast

0:02Hey. Wow, look at you. >> Hey, by the way, what what they don't know is the audience doesn't know is that we had already started a cold open and Rob and Bennett weren't rolling yet. Remember that? >> Right. >> Remember we were about to go and then Rob goes rolling. So, it's a lukewarm lukewarm. >> Now, we're ready for all those.
0:23Welcome to Smartless Smart.
0:31Smart L. [music]
0:42Somebody just had a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for breakfast. >> And it wasn't me. >> And it wasn't you and it wasn't JB. And it wasn't our surprise guest. Although I don't know what they had. Hi everybody. It's Will and we're back with Smartless. [sighs] >> Oh my god. Did you I'm having my tea.
0:54I got to catch up with you. Oh boy. >> Coffee. >> Will, did you make the bacon, egg, cheese sandwich? >> What does make mean? >> Oh, no. Make me. >> Did you go down to >> You know where can I mention? I ordered it from uh Leora. >> Oh, that spot. >> I love that spot so much. >> Oh my goodness. I I feel like they're leaving a little money on the table by staying in such a small spot.
1:19I know. I always booked up and >> buried in that GTA building. Yeah. >> And Sean, have you been there? >> No. >> It's unbelievable. The Have you had the frozen coffee, JB? >> No, but nothing sucks there. >> It's a joke. I can't have it right now cuz it'll send me to the moon. I'll be I'll be >> But I'll bet you that bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich was slathered with uh just real tasty creams and >> Well, no, it was more like it was more like it was more like the bread had been
1:49perfectly toasted. show it was like >> where it's just it's got a little edge to it that's got some chew and some crunch, but the center is so soft. >> Yeah. And the cheese is so velvety. >> Hello. [laughter] >> It was so good. And I don't normally do that, you know, back in the day. Sean JB used to have every morning when we were shooting Rest Development, we'd walk through rehearsal and he'd be holding on to deer with for dear life to a breakfast burrito, two hands, [laughter]
2:17and Mitch would be like, "Yeah, we're doing this." and go and he'd be hammering at breakfast. I mean, every morning, right? >> I couldn't understand why I was holding so much water weight in my [laughter] >> But I don't usually have breakfast, but today I felt like I needed >> I don't ever have breakfast.
2:31I fast. >> Oh, I was up early cuz I'm on East Coast time, so I was up super early and I was like, I got to eat something. >> Uh, and did you walk over to the Leora place? >> No. >> You get like a delivery? >> Yeah, it was I did an Uber Eats type deal. Well, how can it be how can it arrive hot and fresh if it's delivered?
2:49>> It's not delivery. It's desjouro. Guys, have you not [laughter] >> Do you not know that? >> So stupid. >> I want you guys to know that I I am in a puddle of my own sweat right now. >> I thought that was I thought that you got out of the shower. That's disgusting. >> I I know. I I didn't time my workout slash sauna slash shower slashget dressed >> and then I slashed to the podcast.
3:16>> Look, I I got a [ __ ] >> So, is this sauna sweat or workout sweat? >> This is still This is post shower even sweat. >> No. >> Oh, so it is a shower. >> Yeah, the hair is Yeah, but I mean Oh, >> wow. >> Oh, my body. >> Well, thank God you took a shower. Yeah. >> I'm going to need another one after this.
3:36>> Will you shower after this? >> You bet. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> And did you already did you already go through your whole process this morning? >> Have I emptied? Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Did you Did that happen? >> Have you? >> Obviously. Did that happen, >> Sean? >> What? Have I I haven't taken a shower yet.
3:54No, I'll take a shower right after that. >> You done everything else? >> No, nothing. I never do. I don't even eat. >> What do you mean you never do? You got a zipper on that thing? >> [laughter] >> What do you >> No, I don't. I don't. You my wife. >> What [laughter] do you What do you What's your nickname?
4:09Waste management. What's going on? [laughter] >> What? >> Yeah. [clears throat] No, I don't. I don't. I'm never I don't have to poop in the morning. I don't have to. >> You're not regular. You're not regular. >> Not at all. We've covered this a number of times over the years. >> I'm sorry. Hold on. But uh just real quick.
4:27Is it once a day at least though, Shnie? >> Well, maybe sometimes not. So, I feel like that's a problem. I don't I talked to my doctor about it. He said as long if it's if you go something like four days without it without >> This is the one you've been seeing during your uh frequent visits to the emergency room.
4:42>> No, this is somebody else. Yeah, >> this is a different restaff [laughter] your team. >> No, I went to the ass doctor for all that stuff. >> Oh, yeah. >> He's great. But yeah, no, he said it's normal. you. But anyway, uh anyway, let's Should we get to our guest? I mean, is that a weird transition?
5:03>> I mean, sure. I mean, we've [laughter] all got I think we're all still our minds are all still on what's going on. >> This is your Sean's. >> This is mine's mine. >> I was dipping my sandwich in in ketchup, by the way, in case any like I was just doing it, too. >> Not even drag. >> I know. >> It [laughter] was a full drag.

Introducing Benny Blanco

5:20>> Get him out here, Sean. All right. He grew up in Rustin, Virginia. I'm thinking about dragging ketchup. That sounds so good. As a teenager, he cold called record labels. >> Take your time first before you think about putting more in your face. Okay. Dump truck. >> Waste management. >> We're just so worried about the backup.
5:38Go ahead. >> I know. I don't have it. I don't feel it. As a teenager, guys, he cold called record labels pretending to be Jay-Z's attorney. On weekends, he took the 5-hour bus trip to New York to DJ parties, hauling a desktop computer from club to club because he didn't own a laptop. He couldn't afford a hotel, so he slept in train stations, parks, and the McDonald's in Time Square.
5:55Before he turned 25, he had co-written and produced Kesha's Tik Tok and Rihanna's Diamonds. You may have heard of his wife, Selena Gomez. It's the singular and super cool Benny Blanco. Benny Blanco, here we go. >> This guy's got answers for us. How you doing? >> There he is. >> Benny, how's your morning been?
6:14>> Well, that's a soft that's a soft question right there. You go ahead and take it wherever you want to go with that. >> First of all, I'm empty. Second, second of all, second of all, [laughter] your doctor said you can 4 days. That's insane. They need to lose their license. What are you talking about?
6:31>> Yeah, he said that was okay. >> Did you get a deal on this doctor? >> No, his his doctor doesn't hold any actual licenses, per se. [laughter] >> Yeah. My doctor says four days, too. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Four days, Shaunie. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Four days. That's fine. >> All right. We'll get on a subject.
6:50All right. Maybe I got it wrong. Maybe >> Hi, Benny. How are you? Benny and I do know each other a little bit. We do know each other a little bit. >> We did We did a commercial together. >> We did a commercial together. >> What commercial? >> For for Duncan >> Dunkin Donuts. Oh, right on. >> Wow. Right now.
7:05>> That's all That's all we got. >> That's all we got. >> How about the Tim Hortons folks? Would they be upset about that, Willie? >> Well, we don't know. Hey, we haven't been in touch with them. That's a Canadian outfit. Uh, Benny, that's a Canadian dunk. Wait, Benny, what's on the wall behind you with all the charts and the other side?
7:20>> Guys, I don't [ __ ] >> No, the other side. The other side. >> What office are you borrowing? >> Are you in a school? You're >> I'm in my doctor's office right now. Hold [laughter] on here at a classroom. >> It says [ __ ] every four [laughter] days. I don't know. This is a weird doctor's office. Um, no, I'm I'm I It is a very strange room.
7:39Everywhere I look, there's maps. Uh I we are in an Airbnb and well I don't even know if it's an Airbnb. I call everything an Airbnb. If you're renting a house like it there there's no other name. It's like it's like any Q-tip is a cotton swab. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm in a I'm in a rental home >> in London.
8:01>> Got it. >> And I've been here for a very long time. >> How long have you been there? >> About six years. No, I've uh I've been uh uh well ah it's such a stupid story. Basically, I don't fly. So when I come when >> By the way, can I tell you something? That's my first question. I want to get into it.
8:20>> Okay. Well, hey, he was he was halfway through. >> I know. Sean, I don't care. Just You want to take it wherever you want, Sean? Let's do it. You might be a little constipated. Might >> Yeah, excuse me. He's a little backed up. Go ahead, Betty. So, you don't flying his brain. [laughter] >> Yeah, I know.
8:35on his brain circulation to his brain. Um, okay. So, so basically >> I stopped flying a long time ago. My neurosis took over. I've flown a handful of times in the last like 10 years, but I'm so insane that I take the boat to Europe. >> Wow. >> So, I take every time I go to Europe, I have to drive from LA to New York and then I get on a boat for 7 days.

Boat trips instead of flying

9:01I [ __ ] love this >> to Europe. >> Well, how but but but but how long is the drive from LA to New York? >> I mean, it's as long as you want it. You can do it in 41 hours if you want, but you can stretch it out to 2 weeks. >> Never the train. Never the never the train. >> I've done it. I've done [clears throat] every form except walking.
9:18>> Benny, I love this so much. I love this. >> So, so can you say the first of all, how seven days on a boat and then you get there. So, of course, you've been there a long time cuz you don't want to take the trip back, but what about the Ed Sheeran story? >> No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. What's the boat like?
9:33>> Okay, the boat is the actual Titanic. Like I'm on the Titanic. I'm on I'm It's not like a yacht or something. I'm on the Cunard like Yeah. I'm on like a essentially like a Carnival cruise with all British people, >> but it's kind of badass, right? You got a nice high end. Yeah. >> Uh define high-end.
9:54>> Well, like let's say the Orient Express, but floating. >> No. No. It's like >> But does that exist? No. No. Oh, I think it does. >> The Titanic doesn't exist. >> Well, they're building they're building the Titanic, too, for real. From from scratch, and it's going to be exactly a replica. >> Wow. Great idea.
10:09Let's keep that going. [laughter] >> No, my mom's No, my mom's actually on a fancy My mom's on a fancy cruise right now. So, there's So, I know it exists. It just doesn't exist on my travel trajectory. So, I'm sitting Yeah. Basically, Sean, you want the story? Yeah, >> I was I was I was I was making an album with Ed Sheeran.
10:29We're making an album called Divide. It took us like two and a half years. We were on tour all over America. He said, "I have to finish it at my house in my hometown where I grew up in in [snorts] England." And I said, "Okay, that's really cool, but I don't fly." And he said, "Well, what if we take a boat?"
10:46I said, "What do you mean take a boat?" We looked it up. It's the Queen Mary. He's like, "Yeah, I think it'll be a cool idea." So, we're on the boat. In theory, it's a great idea. Like, it sounds like an amazing idea. >> Yeah. Right. >> It's I It's cool for a day and a half. Everything else, you're like you I usually start to go insane about 4 days in and you just like you don't even know who you are anymore.
11:11It's it's it's >> you've explored all four corners of this boat and all the people and you just you're ready to jump over. >> They got the internet on there. >> They got the internet. They got the internet. They got like Starlink. It's it's that that's that's good. The first time I went, the internet was so bad and it cost like [laughter] it cost like a million dollars.
11:30Like the first time I went on, you you would be like this. I'd be like like just signing on just trying to like figure out everything. >> And then what about any high seas ever? >> Yeah, I've been on in a hurricane. >> God, I Flying is better. Flying is better. >> That scares me. Big big big waves. >> There's only been one There's only been one.
11:50The boat sunk one time out of like a million. It's the best and they made a great movie out of it. >> Yeah, but I mean but like but aren't you worried? I I can't Every documentary is like about diarrhea on a cruise ship on any ship. >> Sean Sean, you should Sean. >> You need to go tomorrow. Get a ticket [laughter] tomorrow.
12:07>> Yeah. >> Let's get the motor running, huh? >> Yeah. >> Let's prime the prime the pump a little bit. [laughter] >> Well, I actually make my own food on the boat. >> Let's get him for his bathroom. [laughter] >> Yeah, exactly. I actually make a I make my own food on >> What food? What does that What does that mean?
12:25How do you >> I like bring it and I have like a little refrigerator. I either use like a rice cooker or a air fryer and I just I I want to I want to have my own food. I don't like the food on the boat. [snorts] >> What was Tell me tell me about the uh the inciting incident that uh got you out of the sky and into the water.
12:41>> Okay. >> Okay. [laughter] >> I love the way I phrase my question. >> Sure. >> I love phrasing questions. >> Basically, [laughter] I I'm in. >> It's the same day. What's that guy's name? Sully. Who got the plane in Sullenberger? Yeah. Yeah. >> It's the exact same day Sully landed the plane in the [ __ ] Hudson River.
13:06>> So, yeah. So, I'm on my way to the airport. All my friends are calling me and they're saying, "Are you okay?" And I I said, "What do you mean am I okay?" They said, "That plane I I we thought you were on that plane cuz I guess I was on one similar time, right?" >> And I said, "No." So, I hear that and I'm not even afraid.
13:20I'm like, man, what a crazy coincidence. I get on a plane to Atlanta and it was it got dicey. You know how I know it got dicey? >> I was always all good on a plane because you looked at the steartess >> and they were stoked. They were stoked. >> I looked at the stewardist and she had a fear in her eyes I've never seen on a plane before.
13:42So I was >> because the level of turbulence >> there was a level level of turbulence and we weren't weren't allowed to walk the entire flight. You couldn't couldn't stand up to go to the bathroom. I remember the one traumatic thing is this lady is trying to get the cart down and the cart goes flying and she goes flying too and the medic gets one of the the ladies uh the stewardist.
14:05So, it's just an awful flight where you think you're going to everyone's had that one, but I got off >> and then I had like slightly a bad flight like a few weeks later and I was just like, >> you know what, maybe I'll drive to New York the next time. That was like and then it just kind of started like that and it's just like a neurosis that grew and I wish I >> You fall in love with and you fall in love with long drives too.
14:31I I love driving long distances and and you know I bet that boat is super relaxing for you, you know? I mean like it it but truly I mean it gives you like focus time to just like >> do what you want to do and like get bored and you know a lot of relaxation happens in boredom I find. >> Well and creativity.
14:52>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Which is a great segue will. >> Well thank you. Well, no, I was just going to say I mean we people have talked about I'm not it's not an original idea, but you talk you see people talk about these days about how we used to prior to social media and and smartphones and stuff. I mean, you remember as you were a kid, how many hours spent staring out the window as you were driving?

Hustle and staying connected

15:13>> Yeah. >> All you did was on a plane in the car with your folks, whatever, just staring out the window. Or Sean, like staring out the living room window, wondering like, is he coming back? >> Is he going to come back? [laughter] >> Is he ever coming back? Guys, I was talking about this. I was talking about this the other day with my friend >> back in the day.
15:32>> You'd say, "Hey, meet me. Meet me to play basketball after school." So, you'd go you you'd say, "Meet me." You'd go there, your friend wouldn't be there. You'd get home after dark. You couldn't call them because it was too late to call someone's house. So, you had to wait till the next day to say, "Hey, man, where were you?"
15:47And like any excuse they said was valid. You people used to not be accessible. Now, if like you don't answer a text, they FaceTime you, then they Facebook you, then they Instagram, >> checking your location. >> It's like too it's too much. >> Yeah. >> I want to go backwards. >> Yeah. Yeah. Let's go backwards.
16:04>> But speaking of luxurious and >> Yeah. >> Remember, you used to get back to the plan. Sorry. You got to plan ahead. >> Get back to the grid. What's your plan? >> What's on the grid, Sean? >> No. Well, I mean, I just want first of all, I've never met you and I'm like enamored with you and all your success.
16:18for people don't my sister might not know maybe maybe she does but all the peep my sister's name is Tracy >> hey but all I mean do you ever do you ever just stop and think about all the success you've had and you're still so young you've written massive hit songs for Justin Bieber Ed Sheeran Katy Perry Maroon 5 I mean I'm reading these Kesha Britney Spears uh Snoop Dogg Hollyy I mean Kanye West I mean it's just everybody in the music business has a song by you which is just mindblowing.
16:51And so when I was doing my research on you and learning like Wow. And this all started when your brother took you to a record store. Is that how it started? >> Yeah, Essentially. That's true. That's true. [laughter] >> Okay. And what happened? Like what are the some of the first albums you got? And like why did that >> um I was I I was I got very into music when I was like four or five.

Early music and family influences

17:11I was super into it. and my brother. This was like the era of the CD book and the tape. Like you remember you used to have the book and you could flip through and it was like the most coveted item in the house. >> Yeah. >> And I I was blown away. It was actually a little before that. I was cassettes and then the CD book came out like maybe probably when I was like eight or nine.
17:36>> When you say the CD book, you're talking about the storage. Why? >> Yeah. When you kept the storage. I still have mine. I still have mine. Um, so yeah, tapes first came out. >> Case Logic, I think, was a big big one. >> Yeah, I went to >> Here we go. Let's Here's a gifting from Case Logic on its way.
17:51No, they're I think they're they're they're they're resting right now. >> First tape I ever bought was by Nas. It was called The World is Yours. >> And then the second tape I ever bought was uh >> All for Ones. >> Yeah. Yeah. The ice.
18:12So I was buying this [ __ ] and my mom was like had such a good had such good taste in music, you know? My mom was like really a music head. So we were like I was listening to like Prince and like Teddy Pendergrass at home and like I had like [clears throat] I had so I had the ying and the yang and I actually wasn't even like a huge pop music fan until I started making it.
18:35Like I really didn't even I I really didn't even I I didn't really know it much. >> Wow. >> Right. Right. was was was like when you were doing all that I for my my friends were really into like classic rock and so it was all about like Zeppelin and Stones and Doors and all that stuff. Was it Was it Was there ever um a big uh rock and roll draw for you?
18:58>> Yeah. First, so when I'm about seven >> Yeah. >> is when like the whole grunge scene hit. So I'm going crazy with my brother. I'm losing my mind. Yeah. Um, and then my dad was a huge, you know, there was the big war in my house. My mom, my mom was Beatles and my dad was Stones, so it was like a big war when I was first growing up.
19:21So they were big. Yeah. Like my mom my mom like grew up like going to like CVG's and Studio 54. Like she was like very in that world. So yeah, I was, you know, we had a record player. I was very I would I I was like an old soul before I got into pop music. So I think it like helped me. >> And so music was was a big part of your family life.
19:42Like everybody this was a thing that everybody listened to a lot of music. >> Every Yeah. No one did like like nobody had nobody played. Nobody >> No, but they appreciated it. >> They appreciated music. Everyone appreciated music. And >> even though like my mom was like, "Shut the [ __ ] up. stop banging everything like all over the house like like I was I was so annoying.
20:04I was >> You have My mom used to make us turn the music down in the car. She always hated music in the car. Yeah. She to this day she'll be like turn it. She can't take the noise. >> My mom was oblivious to people who were like like remember Culture Club uh uh um Boy George. She'd be like he has such a a beautiful voice.
20:21Like she wouldn't know he was the big gay guy. >> Like oblivious to everyone on her right side. Right. >> My mom My mom [laughter] one time I took my mom. >> This is a nice way of saying she had a few blind spots. >> Yeah, exactly. [laughter] >> My mom had one eye, Benny. Okay, go ahead. >> Oh, your mother had one eye.
20:40>> Yeah, it's a >> She had two. Just one of them was glass, [laughter] >> which we brought. >> It wasn't glass. It wasn't Was it glass? Oh, no. No, it was glass. It was glass. >> One eye. >> Wait, what were we going to say, Benny? Sorry. So, so my mother, I took her to a Maroon 5 show, okay? And I had been doing music for them and we're backstage and she literally walked up to Adam Lavine and she said, "Hey, do you mind like turning down the bass a little when you guys per [laughter]
21:12she's so [ __ ] oblivious." She and I said I said, "Mom, is that going to turn down the bass?" She said, "Why? Why? Why? Why is it such a big deal? I'm sure a bunch of >> loud." Yeah, she told him to turn down the base. This my mother also like when someone's coming like let's say like let's say like Britney Spears was going to like do Jimmy uh Fallon or something.
21:34She'd be like she'd be like, "Oh, uh I saw Britney Spears in the town. You know, she could stay at my house if she wants to." Mom, she's not staying at your house. She's like, "Well, you know her. Why isn't she just like she's staying at What are you talking about? [laughter] Like my mom lives in like some alternate reality."
21:50>> Yeah. What about your dad? What did your dad do growing up? >> Uh, both my parents had like So, my parents divorced when I was when I was pretty young, but like So, my mom, my dad was in the intimate apparel business. He like made like old lady night gowns. >> He made [laughter] like he made Yeah.
22:10Yeah. Very sexy. He made like old lady night gowns. Like literally like the ones you like Target. Yeah. It's like super [laughter] Oh. Oh, yeah. Well, you sound like you were really choking one off there. [laughter] >> My mother's job was like couldn't couldn't be it's like even worse. My mom like do you know like do you know J C Penney >> and like Macy's.
22:36My mother would fix the jewelry display boxes when you rent to JC Patty. And then her like big break was that she worked like she quit that and like finally got a good job at like an old folks home and she worked there for like 15 years. >> Oh wow. That is a that is angel work folks home >> and probably and a good way to also [clears throat] help your dad move some product with the [laughter] >> yeah yeah >> intimate apparel for older people now opening that demo is now available
23:09>> honestly if they [laughter] didn't if they didn't hate each other yeah if they didn't hate each other then it probably would have been like a billion dollar franchise >> exactly right >> and we will be right back and now back to the show. >> So, there's there's tons of kids out there right now, probably not listening to this, but might know someone who is um that's re they're really into music and they would love to be like a big time, you know, record producer like you.
23:40How would they how do you do that? How do you I mean, what tell that same question. >> Well, Sean said that you just went you you you sort of fudged your way. You went to New York and kind of >> God just pure hustle. >> Yeah. It was so different back back in the day. I literally there was no anything.
23:58So I would wait outside like studios and I'd be like, "Hey, do you make music?" Like as a person was [laughter] walking by, like you didn't know anything. There was no there was no point of reference. And and uh when I was younger, >> when I was in high school, >> um MySpace first came out. So that was like that was like YouTube didn't exist yet.
24:18Like MySpace first came out and that was how I started making my like first connections. And like what did that look like? Did would you like listen to somebody's song and then like you'd you'd email them on this new thing called email? And >> yeah, this was before the music portion was even the music portion uh became uh you used to be able to listen to people's songs like maybe four years later, 3, four years later.
24:39But when I first started, yeah, I would just like email. I mean, we're all doing the same [ __ ] I'm like doing every I'm like, I made a song with so and so's brother's nephew's cousin. And then like you're slowly inching towards it and everything you do is just like one like baby step like just like pushing towards an an inevitable snowball that begins to happen.
25:01>> So you made like you would make like little songs then you'd push them out through your MySpace page to other people and say, "Hey, check this out. I kind of know what I'm doing." >> Yeah. >> Kind of. I got big locally. Like I started getting on the radio when I was young and I >> How did that happen?
25:15How did you get on the radio? I won a contest when I was like nine or 10 and I got to go into a studio like I I and I used to like rap and I got to go into a studio and my guitar teacher um like made a demo tape with me >> and it would just like and then randomly my brother was in a fraternity with a guy who had a studio and then like I started making music there and it was just like all these things that were such a pipe dream like even when I was like successful my parents like didn't

Early career and first breaks

25:47believe me because it was so much of [laughter] this like it was like and and I don't know about you guys but my parents >> picked the most arbitrary things to realize that I've made it like I had like number one songs. I had like multiple number one songs and I remember I was in the New York Times like four years later and my mom was like I can't believe it.
26:07You made it. And I'm like mom I was like already nominated for Grammy. She was like yeah but it's the New York Times. >> Yeah. [laughter] you know, and it's like, >> yeah, and I remember I was on SN the first time I was on SNL, it was as like a backup musician and my dad was like, I can't believe you made it.
26:24Like, like, and I wasn't even like I I wasn't even like the the main act. I was nothing. I would had no words. I was wearing a helmet. I wasn't even You didn't even see me, [laughter] >> right? >> So, >> a helmet in the back. >> Yeah. I literally had a helmet on. So, you're saying there were like little tiny little baby bites um that that that everything just kept leading to the next leading to the next.
26:47>> There must have been >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And like there must have been one >> Yeah, there were things here. I'll give you like the big ticket hits real quick in like in like a minute. >> Okay. >> We're not breast time by the way, unless you are cuz >> No, no, no, no, [laughter] no. But I'm but I'm saying like I've told this [ __ ] so many time but we're dumb dums and we us want to know.
27:08Here it is. Call us Benny. >> Here it's just us. >> Hey, BB. [laughter] >> Just sit down. Let's Let's >> Who calls you BB? >> My wife sometimes, but only when we write. Only only in text messages. She always says BB. And I don't know if she's saying I've never asked her. I I don't know if she's saying like baby or like Benny Blanco like [laughter] or like be I don't know.
27:30Babe, >> are you listening? Well, in the future, you'll be listening to this. What do you mean? What are you talking [laughter] about? She's also now I I know. I think she's in the other room, but I'm all hooked up. I can't even walk in there. Um, >> so, okay. So, here's what happened. Here's what happened.
27:49>> I got into music at a very young age. I started making songs like boom boxes. >> Yeah. Just like anywhere I could. I didn't have like I didn't I didn't I wasn't like a bajillionaire when I was younger. So, like we didn't really have it was kind of just making it with whatever I had. Like I had one of those uh Sony Walkman like like boom box.
28:06The yellow one. Remember the yellow one? It was like this big and you could carry it on the beach. It was like kind of waterproof. Yeah. >> Yes. I had like one of those >> sport. >> Yes. And I had like like a like a Maxwell one or whatever it is. My brother had one and we had like two and I used to like record into one and then I would like press play then I would record into the other one.
28:30Then I would record and I would make like a eight track eventually, but I didn't know I didn't know I was doing that. It just there was no there was no YouTube. There was no ways to figure it out. So it was all like trial and error. >> And I I I I started learning how to do stuff like that. And then >> really when I was 13, there was a guy named Sam Trai who was my brother's uh in my brother's fraternity.
28:54He had done like a few things. He knew a few people at record labels and he started recording my demos in a real studio and I was like in a real actual studio. So I started >> What state what state are you in? Like what >> this is in this I used to travel to like Atlantic City and like Jersey and I'm in Virginia at the time.
29:14So it's like I'm going anyway I can. Friends, my brother, my mother, my father, whoever whoever will get get me away there. You know, there's buses I would take. So I I I'm you know and I just need to use equipment because I don't have equipment's expensive and I had no like there's not like I'm not asking my parents for like a $1,000 thing and it just like wasn't it wasn't an option.
29:37So >> so I'm like making demos everywhere I go and and people are starting to notice that I have something going on. There's something that's like a little better than like the guys that are next to me. I still sucked. I still was terrible. >> Well, can I just pause and just say first of all is just a point of order.
30:01Is Benny Blanco your real name? Your given name? >> How did you go from when did you become when did you become Benny Blanco? [snorts] >> 13. >> Yeah. See, it's a great name. So, if I hear a kid who's got some stuff and I'm like, "What's his name? Benny Blanco?" I'm like, "That's a that's something." >> Yeah.
30:17But in the middle, you were Benny Bounce. >> I was so many different things. Like, it's like Yeah. By the time I'm 13, I'm Benny Blanco from Carito's Way. And And I >> Wait, was that a character's name in Carto? >> Yeah. Character is John Leguisamo and Carito's Way. Oh, no way. And it's so funny when I first met him in real life, he was just like, >> "Dude, what the fuck?"
30:38He's like, "My whole He's like for so long people have been telling me about you." Cuz it was like I met him like maybe 10 years into my career. Yeah. So, >> so now you're Benny Blanco and you're making music and people are starting to kind of notice you're traveling jerseys. >> I'm traveling. I'm in Philly.
30:54I start getting on like mixtapz. Okay. So, like I would be on like I would be like back in the day you would go to New York and you'd buy these mixtapz and it would be like uh it would be like the diplomats. It would be like 50 Cent. All these people would do them before they got big and after they got big.
31:10And I'm starting to get on like the like lowest level guys like mixtape. Like it's like I'm like I'm again it's like I'm like the like 50s cousins brother's nephew. I'm on like his thing and I'm like no there's I'm showing my friends at home. I'm like there's like a picture of like him with 50 Cent one time.
31:29And then >> so wait so these mixtapz these were things that basically um for lack of a better term these musical influencers would like pick these hits that they like. They they'd say, "Hey, these are these are my 20 favorite songs." They put it on a cassette and they'd send it out to a bunch of people that they like.
31:48>> No. No. So, a mixtape would be like this in between like a rappers's big album. Okay. They would make a set of songs that like would just come out for free because like a they couldn't get like samples cleared or like they there was like artists on them. It was like it was illegal illegal making illegal uh music usually like before an album's coming out to lead up to it or to get >> sold in stores.
32:13They're passed around. Yeah. They're passed around and sold in the city and they're and they're done on burned cassettes or burned CDs. So they're not >> like on like Canal Street. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yes. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. And it's not such a thing. >> I'm acting like I know. >> Yeah. [laughter] And that was also that was also how you used to get like before streaming like if there was like a hot single that's like how you would go get it like I would take a trip.
32:37My brother was in college and he near there and Okay. So, okay. So, back to the thing. >> So, I'm doing this stuff and I start making some noise and and it starts stretching a little bit beyond because now I have like songs and I'm doing songs with other people. I'm still rapping, okay? I'm a rapper and I get introduced to a man named Jonathan Shear.
33:02Okay. And he owns at the time a thing called the Source magazine. And it's it's it was it was the biggest rap magazine on planet earth. This is like New York Times for rap. [snorts] And he also at that time >> had just put out a rappers like album before they put out any big stuff. And that rapper was Eminem.
33:26[clears throat] And he he had just and he had also put out some stuff and he was very involved with like um 50 Cents early, like just like all these little things. And he was like he was the closest thing I got to like as big as it gets. And he and he was influencing rap music in a big way. And so through that I started getting more connections.
33:47And eventually I got a record I got two record deal offers when I was about 15 and they they they flew down they flew down >> to Virginia and they watched me perform at my high school homecoming. [laughter] >> Yes. Yes. And it was like I don't even I I I I guess there was just like a little bit of hype around me and I was young and this was right around the time of like Lil Bow and Lil Romeo.

Record deals and Brooklyn years

34:16So, and Shector kind of validated you. Yeah, >> she validated me. >> Benny. >> Yeah, Sam validated. Yeah, exactly. People were validating me and I got an offer somehow. I guess the offer was so bad. I was so young. I barely remember. My parents didn't let me do it. And it was the best thing that could have ever happened to you.
34:35>> So, they were your legal counsel. They looked over the offer. >> Yeah, I guess. So, at that time, I can't even remember. >> Well, but but before that, I read that the first money you ever made in music was for a softcore porn series. And you were like, >> that is true. Jonathan Shear owned a thing called Hip Hop Honeys, which was basically where they took all the girls from the music videos and then they would dance naked and they needed beats behind it.
34:56So he paid me $500 for two beats and I might as well was Brad Pit at home. Like I I came home, I showed every friend I had $500. Nobody had $500. I had $500. I'm [snorts] like, I'm losing my mind. And then my mom takes the DVD away from me and won't let me use it because she's like, "These people are naked."
35:20I'm like, "Mom, I'm in the thing. I just got $500." She's like, "I don't care. [laughter] >> You should work. >> It's trash." >> Yeah, it's trash. We were on the [laughter] airplane and it was disgusting. >> Um, >> so, so, okay, things are happening. I'm fast forwarding a little bit. Yeah. >> In high school, I trick a man.
35:38The one of my favorite producers was this guy named >> Sean said that same um I uh I I 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. His name was Disco D and I said, "Hey man, >> oh yeah, >> I love your stuff and I want to work for you."
36:06and he never answered. And then I said, "Uh, okay, I want studio time." And then he said, "How much?" So I go up, >> I pay him for an hour of studio time. And I'm like, "Dude, I don't want studio time. I want to work for you. I'll do anything for you in the world. I'll do whatever you say." This guy's crazy.
36:21I have no idea why he did this. He said, "I'm leaving town next weekend." He said, "If you can book my studio for 3 days fully booked, you have a job. You can be my intern." I said, "Of course I can do that." First of all, I had no idea how to do that. I called every person I knew in New York. I had every friend.
36:40I literally I borrowed I I remember borrowing $75 from my mom to count like as part of the thing. And like >> How much is studio time? Like an hour >> at that Oh my god. I I I >> Is it like five grand or >> I think I No, no, I think it was like 500 for the day or something. So, or maybe it was for the weekend.
36:56I can't even remember. But I somehow I got the money and I think I was like I think I was like $150 short. But I got enough of the money and he saw it. He let me come work for him. I started working for him. >> I I move out to New York when I'm you know 17 18. >> I I tell my mom, you know, my mom doesn't have we don't like she can't like afford to like let me live in like a lavish pl like it's like so where are you living?
37:21I I I I signed up for a uh a uh like audio engineering school and there was like this thing where you could stay in like the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn and and it was like a six-month program and I like split it with my mom. I had made some money and then she was like, "That's all you got. You got to figure it out then cuz I can't help you after that."
37:45So >> that's cool. I go out there and I'm interning for this guy disco D and it was just perfect timing of like everyone. This was like the last time Brooklyn had that like a scene that was growing. So it was like this was the scene was me diplo mia at track. This was like everyone like still that we were all trying to make it like everyone was trying to do their thing justice and it was like it was such a it was such a cool internet blog scene and basically uh the guy I was working for who I was
38:24interning for. He, you know, suffered a lot of mental illness and I'm skipping over a lot, but he he committed suicide and he was like my best friend and like I didn't know what to do, but it brought me together with a few of the guys that he was working with and I like >> begged begged uh people. I'd be like, "Please work with me."
38:43And somehow nobody would work with me. Nothing. I would try to sell beats. Nothing [ __ ] worked. Nothing worked. No bites, nothing. And I remember listening to like a mixtape where this guy took like Notorious B.I. vocals and he put them over Frank Sinatra instrumentals and I was like that's so cool.
39:04And this was right when Narles Barkley came out. Remember that song? Like does that make you crazy? >> That's Oh my god. Totally. >> So it was right when this came out and I was like I got to become a duo. That's the only way I'm going to make it. I got to be in a group duo and I have to like take samples and do stuff like this.
39:20So I came up with an idea and the only rapper I knew personally was this guy named Spank Rock Naim Jawan and he was like he had like a lot of hype at that time. He was like a big thing at that time. He was like had all he was on like you know the cover of Fader magazine. He was like on complex [clears throat] magazine.
39:39It was like he was a big thing. And >> I said you got to work with me. And he wouldn't do it. Somehow after Disco D passed away, we were at my my ex-manager's um uh house and we were just like reminiscing and I said, "Dude, please, you got to work with me." I convinced him to make one song with me. We made one song.
40:00Nothing happened. A few weeks later, he called me and he said, "Hey, I know this is crazy, but we just got a record deal offer." And I said, "What do you mean?" And this was this was about five months into me being in New York. And I said I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "Yeah, we got offered a record deal and they want us to do the album you were talking about together."

Working with Dr. Luke and Britney

40:22>> No way. >> Yeah. He said, "And it's called Downtown Records." The most ironic thing is Narles Barkley was signed to the same label. So like the fate is crazy. That is wild. >> So I get offered this opportunity. I'm making my first album. I'm It It's It's It's surreal. It's surreal. I'm working with everyone that I wanted to at the time.
40:42And it's all this cool underground thing. And then eventually I get a call and they say, "This guy named Dr. Luke wants to meet you." And I said, "Who's Dr. Luke?" I didn't know. I I didn't know anything. I said, "I don't know pop music." I said, "Who's Dr. Luke?" So I go to the meeting. Um I don't know anything of what he does.
41:00He does like pop rock music basically. >> I think he hates me in the meeting. I go I leave the meeting. I go back to my friends at the studio. I'm like, "Dude, I just did this meeting." I'm like, "Fuck this dude." And then I get a call. I get a call and he's like, "Hey man, do you want to come work on music tomorrow night?"
41:17And I was like, "What?" I was like, "I thought you hated me. You asked me for a demo." And then you didn't even take it. And then he's like, "No, I just like knew that you had something special." So I was like, "Okay." So I go out, I work with him. The next day he says, "You want to come out to LA with me and work on like work on artists like Britney Spears and stuff like that?"
41:35And I'm like, "Of course I knew." Like I wasn't into pop music, but of course I knew who Britney Spears was. And I was like, "What?" I'm like, "What are you talking about?" And he's like, "Yeah, I work with this guy, Max Martin." And like I didn't even know who any of these people are. So these are like to to anyone listening, these are like the titans.
41:53These are like the godfathers of pop music. Like like like Max Martin has like the most number ones of he has like more number ones than the Beatles. And um and and so I'm I'm sitting there, I know [ __ ] nothing. I get out there. It's my first day. I'm like, "Dude, I'm making songs." I'm literally in the studio with Britney Spears.
42:10I walk in. I walk in and this is like I had never seen paparazzi. I had no idea. I walk in. I I I I go in before Britney gets there. So, I'm like, "Okay, blah blah blah." Then >> I'm like out making a phone call, okay? And I'm in this studio that's like kind of in like a jungle. It's called Conway Studios.
42:29I don't know if you've ever been there. It's in LA. And it's like a cool like indoor outdoor studio. So, I'm walking around in the parking lot and a man comes down from like a bungee cord and he snaps a picture of my face [laughter] and I was like, "What the [ __ ] is going on?" And then like all of a sudden like a security guard tackles the man and I'm like and and and that's like my first and I'm like whoa.
42:50Okay, I guess I'm in Hollywood now. And it's like Yeah. Like my first week I'm like going to clubs with like Paris Hilton. Like it's like things are like it's all >> When did you when did you pretend to be Jay-Z's attorney? Like what was the time? >> I was 13. That was >> I'm skip I'm skipping I'm skipping around.
43:11I'm partying with Paris, man. We can't talk about Jay-Z. [laughter] Funny. >> So So I'm 18. >> Yeah. >> I put the music I put the the rapping behind. I'm now Oh, first of all, I'm in the studio. I've never written a song for another pop artist ever. I'm in the studio with Dr. Luke and a guy named Claude Kelly.
43:30And Claude goes, "Well, now we got to write the song." And I said, "I don't know how to write a song." I said, "I know how to rap." And he said, "Okay, well, why don't you rap and we'll like put melodies to it at the same time." And the first song we ever wrote together was Circus for Britney Spears.
43:48And so it was like >> Yeah. I mean, for for Tracy, well, you guys too, you might not know Dr. Luke, he produced like Since You Been Since You've Been Gone, you know that, you know, kissed a girl. I kissed a girl. It came in like a wrecking ball from my Cyrus. And like and Max Martin produced every song for Britney for Britney.
44:06One more time. Every song for the Backstreet that every Incin song. >> Yeah. Like all the new Taylor Swift stuff he does. He does have the weekend. Like so. Okay. So, I'm sitting in the room with these guys and it's like the biggest imposttor syndrome in the world. I have no idea what I'm [ __ ] doing.
44:24I'm 18 years old. These guys are like 40. Like, and [laughter] I'm and I'm and but but the thing that's cool is the artists all are really young, so they look at me. I'm like like and so like Max is like, "Hey, like go get the artist to do this this song." And I'm like the cool guy who like goes out to the clubs and like knows where the cool food is.
44:49>> Well, you got the street cred, you know what I mean? >> Yeah. Yeah. And I'm Yes. And I'm coming from doing like cool underground stuff with like Diplo and Santi Gold and Mia. So, so it kind of started this thing and you know before I know it I'm like making all these it that's what I tell all these people.
45:08They're like well I'm not classically trained. I'm not this guys. I'm like barely a musician. I just like I'm sure you guys are the same way. I've fudged my way completely into what I'm doing. Like I just faked it and learned on the [ __ ] job. Like >> but you have taste and you know how you know what sounds good.
45:27You know how to create that. You know how to maintain it if you do hear it and you know how to add to it, right? >> Yeah. A a there's that if 100% there is that cuz you had it in you all. It sounds like you came from it naturally. There's always music we covered. And the the sort of the through line is is none of this was when you said it ironically you ended up at the same place as Nars Barkley is you created your own you manifested it by working hard.
45:55You it didn't happen by accident dude. You every step of the way you hustled and you created those opportunities for yourself by continuing. >> I know I know what you're saying. I know what you're saying. Like I always tell people the the the harder you work the more chances you have to be lucky. So >> yeah, like you didn't want to go and live like like going to stay and do that engineering program where you get a room in Brooklyn.
46:17That led to a bunch of other [ __ ] and so people go like how do you get that? Well, you got to do like as you said before, you got to do these little step these little [ __ ] things. >> I thought I was going to be the biggest rapper in the world. I landed doing some pretty cool [ __ ] Like here's what I'll say for you for you guys though.
46:33Seriously, like okay, all of you guys I'm sure have the same answer. >> Like are you the best actor? Like is there someone out there who's a better actor than you? Are there people that you feel are more deserving? >> A million. >> Yes. Yes. But but like you're talented and you guys have like to me it's like you guys have like great vibe.
46:53You have great rap. You have great talk. And it's like I think so much of it is like a person's energy, their work ethic mixed with a little bit of talent. You have to have like some talent, but I think so much of it is like >> people skills and Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Benny, go ahead. You go. >> I have nothing to say.
47:15>> Okay. [laughter] >> No, I wanted to get to because we're we're running out of time and I don't want to take all your time. I >> I said you had all the time in the [ __ ] world. >> Oh, that was that was an hour ago. >> The truth is for me is also I'm a I'm a really good lay. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah.
47:29I can tell you look you're hot. You're hot. You guys are all so beautiful. Thanks, man. You are too many. >> We'll be right back. All right, back to the show. >> I wanted to because I'm obsessed with your wife just like you are, just like millions of people are. And I really really am such a big fan of Selena's.
47:53How did you meet? >> Benny just by the way, Betty just passed her for me. I mean, I I we don't know each other, Benny. This is a first for me. I I' I'd like to officially ask you ask for your friendship. Okay. You don't have to answer now, but um I I yeah, I I'd like you a part of my life. >> Guys, I I first of all, before I say anything about my wife, I do want to say >> the amount of what I do, the amount that I've learned from all of you guys, like through what you guys do, like, and this

Meeting and dating Selena Gomez

48:25isn't a joke, like like like I've I've first of all, I've seen every single Arrested Development uh episode ever. Second of all, I've I've watched I watched Ozark three different times because I had to show so many different people. Selena and I every single night we go to bed >> to Will and Grace every single night, no matter what.
48:48No m It's like it's that first of all, I love the show, but that's her doing. I'm not watching Will and Grace every single [ __ ] night of my life. >> Every straight guy says the same thing. Yeah. >> Yeah, I could [laughter] say that. >> Sean Sean, can we have a quick visit from Jack? Yeah, visit your character.
49:06>> But it's so funny. Everybody, it's so funny. Straight guys always come to me like, um, my wife loves your show. I mean, I don't watch it with her, but I but then, you know, but then >> I watch I watched it with my mother and then I've rewatched it now 700 times with my wife. Okay. So, how did I meet how did I meet my wife?
49:22Here's what happened. >> Funny part is first time we met, neither one of us remember. There's an email that exists, but we can't remember it because we were both young. uh her mother I was already like pretty successful as as a producer. Okay. And she hadn't really made music yet. She's a few years younger than me.
49:40So So she >> was a star on Disney and she had just started I think making like Disney songs but they weren't like no one was taking her seriously as like a pop star. And [snorts] somehow her mother being like the hustler she is got a meeting with me. And I don't remember that meeting but we had a meeting.
50:01It existed. There's like email there's emails and that was oh my god that was at least 15 years ago maybe more. >> Asking you to produce her stuff. >> Something like that. But in 2014, my one of my closest friends signed her to a record deal at Innercope Records. His name is John Janick. I also have my own record label there and that's where I put out my music.
50:25And he said, "We signed this girl, Selena." And I was like, "Oh, yeah. I love her stuff." Like she was she was getting big and she was it was and I was like, "Oh, I love her stuff." I didn't even know about the TV show. Didn't know any of that. Um and because I'm too old for it. I like didn't it was over my head.
50:40So, we get put together and we make a few songs. We have a really big hit song called Same Old Love. Um, and she's that's 2014. >> And, um, over the next few years, we have made a few songs like very l friend is like the loosest term in the world. Like, uh, acquaintances that spend extended period of times in the studio together, but nothing more than that.
51:08Then in 2019, we did a song together and I had become an artist. Okay. So, I had been putting out songs as an artist. We do a song together. It's called I Can't Get Enough and it has Tiny on it and it's has Jay Valvin on it and it's a uh it's a really cool song and we're we're shooting the music video.
51:28>> Okay. >> And she was going through a tough time at at that time. It was it was a very tough time and she they had all these rules I thought like and it was like you know when like you're getting like secondhand information from someone and they're like uh yeah and like when she like don't talk about this thing and don't say too much of that and like maybe like if she looks like and it's like you I'm sure you guys get that with stuff like through the podcast or or like even people say that about you and
51:57then um >> so I'm like there and I'm like okay what am I I'm like looking at the things I'm not supposed to say. And I get up there and we just immediately like we had hung out, but we hit it off in like a level that's so fun. I have a girlfriend at the time that not like this isn't like sexually or romantically like we just hit it off and I'm like wow.
52:18I'm like dude I'm like she's [ __ ] cool. I'm like I'm like Selena. It's like the first time where like we actually like hung out and got deep and like there's like a picture >> by the way she ins by the way she insulted you're like finally you're like after years like hey you know what you're cool and she's like hey [laughter] thanks a lot.
52:35>> No no no no she she wasn't because it's like she's like you know in a studio sometimes and like just like someone at her level you can be a little bit guarded in a situation and like I really got what were you saying? I was just going to say I read that when she she used to show up to your house a little early and and sit outside and like fix herself and talk to her friend on the phone before going in cuz she was so nervous and you knew it because you had cameras outside.
53:00>> This that was after we that was after we started dating. Okay, so like literally >> that is really funny. >> Okay, so basically I'm at my photo I'm at my shoot. I'm at my shoot and my mother comes up to me. She says, "You should really date someone like Selena. I think you should date." I said, "Mom," I said, "I have a girlfriend right now.
53:17What are you talking about?" And she goes, "No, no, but like you should really end up with someone like Selena." And I was like, "Mom, what do you" And I'm like the mo I'm like saying like, "You're crazy." Okay. 2020. We don't even have to get into it because the whole internet knows. There was like some sort of thing where the internet thought I meant one thing and I obviously didn't mean it.
53:39And they thought I was like taking a dig at Selena. Okay. And it's like you you don't need to waste the time. It's been like talked about so many times. They thought I was taking a a personal dig at Selena on like a radio show. And obviously I wasn't I've never taken a dig at any human being in my life.
53:55Like so so um so >> things maybe seem a little weird and like I I I like am going to text her and then like my friend's like, "No, just don't. It's fine." And then I see her over the next few years a few times at like parties or I run into her and then like sometimes it's like, "Oh my god, hey." And sometimes it's like, "Oh, was that awkward or was that in my head?
54:19Was it?" So, like I like don't know what's going on. And then 2023, she's making a song called Single Soon. And some of my guys had written the song. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And and I heard it and I was like, "Oh, I'm not a huge fan of this song, but let me help you guys like make it better." And and uh John calls me up and he said, "Okay."
54:41He said, "But it was there some weird thing with you and Selena like that we should straighten out." And I was like, "I don't think so. We were cool the last time we saw each other." And then I he was like, "Maybe you should go to the studio and just like show face and like just like make things all good."
54:58And I'm like, "Okay." And then he was like, "I don't think they're bad, but like maybe just make them good." And I'm like, "Okay." So I go to the studio, I hang out, we like hit it off. So, we're like laughing whether she hated me before or not. Whatever is erased. We're like we're laughing but but like so not in a romantic way.
55:14Like we're laughing in a way where I'm like, "Oh my god, I have dinners all the time with my friends. You should come over. I'll hook you up with a great guy." >> Right. I By the way, I read a description of one of your dinners where your mom's in a rhinestone shirt that says bada bing and people are trip [laughter] and people are and people are tripping on Toad.
55:33What? What is toad? >> Toad. [laughter] Toad. What is Toad? >> Wait, let him. Wait, I want to hear. >> Okay. Well, you're so uh you're so well read about all this. Toad is a thing where you like system is busy. Really busy. >> It's where you [ __ ] slip into another dimension. Read about it when you're trying to take a [ __ ] next time.
55:50Okay. Here's [laughter] >> good. Very good. >> Here's here's here's where we're at. We're >> So, I'm in there. We're doing it. I leave the thing. I leave the session. I >> write her like a message. just smoothing everything over, saying like, "So glad we got in Sue. I had like the best time ever." And and we start talking back and forth.
56:13And it was just like, you know, to me, like simple artist talk. And then like she starts sending like funny selfies back and forth. And I'm still I'm like in the middle of doing a bunch of stuff. So I I don't really like pay it much mind. I'm just like, "Oh, this is just like friendly banter." And then >> she asks me to hang out the next day.
56:34She said, "Do do you want to hang out?" >> And I said, "Oh." I said, "Yo, I'm I'm uh >> I got I I got my friends like birthday dinner. You want to come with me?" And I'm thinking it's friends cuz I'm like obviously Selena Gomez doesn't want to go out on a date with me. And I I had no idea. I had no I I'm I'm obviously >> Are we getting We're going to get to the date soon, right?
56:56>> Yes, we're getting to the date. We're getting to the date right now. Why? You got to go take a poop or something. [laughter] >> So So Okay. We're It's >> We're at We're at the date. We're at the date. >> It's Friday. >> Um >> she thinks it's a date. I have no idea it's a date. Okay. And And >> she makes a comment where I'm like, "Is this a date?"
57:15But I don't know. And then we're cuz we're with other people. Like first we got a glass of wine, then we're with other people. And and she like leaves suddenly early and I'm like, "Oh, okay. I guess it wasn't a date." And she's like, "I got to shoot a music video tomorrow." And I said, "Okay." And then I'm like, "Oh, she's just like super busy and that we were just friends."
57:32And then she texts me. She's like, "That was the best time I've had in a really long time." And and I'm like, "Oh, yeah. That was so fun." Then we go out on a a second date. Then I'm like, "Oh, this is a date." And I lay a smooch on her. >> Well, >> and we literally since that day have been inseparable.
57:54She's she's the yang to my yang. She's my best friend. She's I know she's been on your guys thing. She's the easiest person to talk to on planet Earth. She's so much smarter than me. She's so much funnier than me. She's definitely so much prettier than me. >> I just love how I just love how open and honest you both are and you both seem so comfortable in your skin and just like look, I'm just human and I'm just me and like, you know, I'm just trying to get on with it.
58:21You know, it seems like it's just such a great a great match, the two of you. >> Yeah. You're You're lucky. >> You guys are both such genuine people. >> People always say things. They're like, "What?" Um they're like, "Okay, but like what do you guys do on like a normal night?" And I'm like, "What do you mean what do we do on a normal?"
58:38I'm like I'm like, "What do you do on a [laughter] normal night?" Like after this, like, "What am I going to do? I'm going to sit on a couch with her and watch a movie and maybe I'll make her dinner." Like, >> I love that. Um, Benny, you know, we got to let you go because we've taken what way of your time, but I saw on your website you'll sell someone a strand of your hair for $4,995 or your actual phone, passcode, photos, and contacts for a million dollars.
59:01Has [laughter] anybody has anybody tried to buy either one? >> So, that was the thing from like uh like 9 years ago when I first became an artist and it went like super viral back then. Yeah. >> Um I don't >> Has anybody called and bought it yet? >> I don't even think you can hit the link. You want it for free, you can just have either one for me.
59:22>> I love that. I'll send it over. >> Um and your new album, Hermoso, which is I I listened to some of it. It's really really really really cool. I love it. >> I also have a book. I got a book. >> Oh yeah, the book. Yeah, >> I have a book. >> It's called [ __ ] Failure. Is that what it's called? >> Yes.
59:36Yes. I like Yeah, I have a book on just like how to fail upwards, you know? And just >> I like that. That's out now. it. Uh, but it probably will be when this thing's out. Let's just say, watch this. >> My new book's out right now. Go get it. Okay, now watch this. Now, watch this. Now, watch this. >> My new book's coming out soon.

Book, album, and closing remarks

59:56You should get it soon, watch. Just insert them, >> Benny. But there there's not a lot of people on the planet with your success. So, I I I I'm just so blown away by your story and how you got here and all the contributions you've made >> to society through music. Like, it's just everybody knows your songs.
1:00:17It's got to be the best feeling. >> And how and how earned it is is really impressive. Truly, truly, truly, truly. I mean, it it's it's so well earned and and and deserved because you you worked really really hard and you really >> I don't like compliments. Say something really bad about something terrible about I never get I never get them.
1:00:34So, I don't know. >> When do you sail back to the States? [laughter] >> I I sail back in uh in in in September. I'm going back in September [clears throat] cuz I got to go promote my book in New York. And then then I'm really taking some time off. I I I won't have been home in 4 and 1/2 months. And I >> New York home or Los Angeles?
1:00:55>> No, Los Angeles is home. And I just want to like >> shut up. >> Oh my god. There. Yeah. I haven't [ __ ] I haven't slept in my bed in almost 5 months. >> Yeah, I just finished. Are you guys thinking? Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? The four of us. New York to LA road trip. [laughter] >> Oh [ __ ] >> I'd like Where do you guys live?
1:01:10Are you all LA? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. Both. >> Can I hang out with you guys? >> Yeah. Right. When you get back, please come >> I missed the last hangout, but I I want I I'm going to be a big part of the next one. >> Is Is this Is this fake? Are we is there actual like will I ever actually have your guys' numbers or is this a thing we're talking about on here and then we never speak ever again?
1:01:33Be honest. I'll be I'll love you either way. >> I would kill to hang out with you. All kinds of weird things we're going to forward you. We're going to text you. It's It's going to be awkward. >> Here. I'm going to tell you guys something. >> Your phone number >> right now. No, just Yeah, I'm telling you my number right now.
1:01:52>> I'm about to go on Howard Stern by the time this airs. If you guys haven't texted me by the time I go on Howard Stern, I'm literally airing you out on Howard Stern. [laughter] So, I'm just letting you I'm just letting you know that because I'm a people's people and I got to let the people know if this thing >> I'll tell you what.
1:02:07We're going to cut it. We're going to cut it. Give us your phone number right now and we're going to write it down. [clears throat] Old school cell. >> Okay. What is it? >> Are you going to write it down with a pen? >> I got a pen. >> Me, too. >> Hey guys, don't cut it. Guys, don't cut it. >> Do not cut it.
1:02:21Whatever you do, do not cut that. [laughter] We had a game leaked that number by mistake like four times and I just like I just my phone just rings all day and I just >> By the way, you know what? By by the way, you know what the thing is? Anybody can have my number. It doesn't mean I'm going to respond.
1:02:35>> I know. I know. My phone just rings. >> Holy [ __ ] [laughter] >> Whoa. Dude, that was deep as [ __ ] >> Um, you guys are actually amazing. >> Uh, Benny, we love you. Thank you. >> Hey, listen. How about we go to the studio? >> Yes. And you guys, and also you guys, I don't know if you've seen it, but like you guys really inspired me and Dave and his wife to have a podcast.
1:02:54We have a podcast and um and you guys really inspired us to do it because we were like, "Oh, podcasts are so stupid." And then once we saw you guys do it, we were like, "Okay, now it's cool to have [laughter] and it's been like one of our favorite things we get to do together cuz I do it." They're my two best friends and I get to do it with fun.
1:03:12Yeah, it's fun. That's what we was very nice of you to come on this dude. So good. So so good. >> You guys are rad, man. >> Thank you guys so much. All right. Give our love to Selena. >> All right. I will. We'll talk soon. >> Okay. Love you. >> When you're back, guys. Bye. >> Bye, buddy. >> Bye. >> Text me that number, Willie.
1:03:32>> Yeah, I will. >> I love that um threat. [laughter] >> I love that threat. If we don't call him, he's going to air us out on the >> uh I just texted him first. [laughter] >> Ah, that's great. suit. >> Um, that's a that's a nice fella. >> Real nice. >> Yeah, I like him a lot. What a story. I mean, like uh inspiring like, you know, we talk about it a lot on here, but it it is it's all about baby steps to get to the thing you want and anybody can get there.
1:04:02You just have to put the work in, right? >> Yeah. It seems like he's already lived like a long lifetime. >> He But he's 38. >> Wow. >> He's got like such and he was talking about vibe and stuff like he's got great vibe. He's got great thing with >> people and he under like there's something about him and and you Yeah.
1:04:20You combine that with the hard work and and and a and a true sort of talent for music and ear and all that sort of stuff and it's just a winning a winning combo. >> I want to hang out with him. >> Yeah. I know. >> Well, I think Well, wasn't there a hang that I missed that you guys were at? >> I was not with or something.
1:04:35Maybe >> might have been while you were both out. >> I was out of town for 71 days. [sighs] Ah, can you be more specific? >> Boy, well, you served your time, Willie, and now you you learned your lesson, I think. Right. [laughter] [gasps] >> But it just goes to I mean, he his book's coming out. But I was going to say like he achieved it all.
1:04:53And >> but you were saying it's it's it's all it's all just baby steps, right? >> And then you do those and then once you get through those, it's >> by baby bye >> bye. You're right. >> Smartless.
1:05:21Smart glass. [music] Smart list is 100% organic and artisally handcrafted [music] by Michael Grant, Terry, Rob Armjarve, and Bennett Barbco. >> Smart less.

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