"Benny Blanco"

21 Sep 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 23 chapters

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In short

SmartLess episode featuring Benny Blanco. The conversation blends (1) Benny’s avoidance of flying and his routine of traveling to Europe by long road trip plus multi-day ship cruises, (2) how he built a music career through early hustle and networking before streaming, and (3) his songwriting/production path to major pop hits.

Guest backgrounds

Benny Blanco (real name Benny Levin) grew up in Reston, Virginia. As a teen he cold-called record labels pretending to be Jay-Z’s attorney, DJ’d parties by hauling a desktop computer, and slept in train stations/parks/McDonald’s. Before 25 he co-wrote/produced major songs including Kesha’s “TikTok” and Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” He later married Selena Gomez.

Key claims

He stopped flying due to anxiety after turbulence incidents and a “Sully” coincidence; he finds cruises relaxing and creative. Career-wise, he says success came from “baby steps” and hustling—using MySpace/email, mixtapes, and studio internships to snowball opportunities.

Notable examples

Boat travel for Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” album (Ed insisted on a boat); early money from Hip Hop Hunnies beats ($500 for two beats); first pop breakthrough writing “Circus” for Britney Spears with Dr. Luke/Claude Kelly.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Discussion with Benny Blanco

0:36 to 1:54

A lively conversation with music producer Benny Blanco about his career and experiences.

“If car shopping feels like a whole thing, buying your car online on AutoTrader makes it way easier.”

Discussion with Benny Blanco

2:26 to 8:04

A lively conversation with music producer Benny Blanco about his career and experiences.

“Somebody just had a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for breakfast.”

Life on a Boat and Travel Stories

8:04 to 14:00

Benny shares his unique travel experiences and stories about avoiding flying.

“You go ahead and take it wherever you want to go with that.”

Cruise Ship Stories and Flight Incidents

14:00 to 17:10

Listen to amusing anecdotes about cruise ships and a nerve-wracking flight experience.

“I either use like a rice cooker or an air fryer.”

The Impact of Boredom on Creativity

17:10 to 21:40

Exploration of how boredom can lead to creativity and self-discovery.

“how many hours spent staring out the window as you were driving.”

Benny's Musical Journey and Family Background

21:40 to 26:18

Benny Blanco shares insights into his early musical influences and family life.

“And so music was a big part of your family life.”

Lighthearted Family Stories

26:30 to 28:44

Benny recounts funny and endearing family anecdotes related to music and celebrity encounters.

“And a lot of them, like hundreds of thousands.”

Lighthearted Family Stories

28:48 to 29:03

Benny recounts funny and endearing family anecdotes related to music and celebrity encounters.

“Now available in Canada and the UK, too.”

The Journey to Becoming a Music Producer

29:03 to 30:40

Benny Blanco shares his early hustle and the steps he took to break into music.

“Yeah, it was so different back, back in the day, I literally, there was no anything.”

From School to Stardom

30:40 to 32:44

Benny discusses his breakthrough moments and the validation he received.

“then you'd push them out through your MySpace page to other people and say, hey, check this out.”
Show all 23 chapters

Early Success and Recognition

32:44 to 35:04

Benny Blanco recounts his early successes and how they shaped his career.

“She always says Bibi, and I don't know if she's saying, I've never asked her, I don't know if she's saying, like, baby, or like, Benny Blanco, or like, I don't know.”

Mixtapes and Networking

35:04 to 37:11

Exploring how mixtapes played a role in Benny's networking and growth as an artist.

“because I don't have, equipment's expensive.”

Working for the Legends

37:11 to 42:00

Benny shares his experience working with influential producers and the challenges he faced.

“these were things that basically, um, for lack of a better term, these musical influencers would like pick these hits that they like.”

Benny's Journey from Intern to Music Producer

42:00 to 48:31

Learn about Benny Blanco's unconventional path to becoming a music producer, including struggles and pivotal moments.

“He said, if you can book my studio for three days, fully booked, you have a job.”

The Evolution of Music Collaboration

48:31 to 51:06

Discover how Benny transitioned from rapping to writing pop songs and the importance of collaboration in his career.

“And it's like, yeah, like my first week, I'm like going to clubs with like Paris Hilton.”

Hard Work vs. Luck

51:06 to 51:51

Benny discusses the relationship between hard work and creating opportunities for success in the music industry.

“You know how to maintain it if you do hear it and you know how to add to it, right?”

The Evolution of Music Collaboration

51:51 to 55:14

Discover how Benny transitioned from rapping to writing pop songs and the importance of collaboration in his career.

“Like, you didn't want to go and live, like, going to stay and do that engineering program where you get a room in Brooklyn.”

Benny's Love Story with Selena Gomez

56:13 to 1:02:39

Benny Blanco shares the story of how he met and fell for Selena Gomez.

“I wanted to, because I'm obsessed with your wife, just like you are, just like millions of people are.”

Navigating Fame and Relationships

1:02:39 to 1:10:01

A discussion on the challenges of dating in the spotlight and staying connected.

“And then I see her over the next few years a few times at, like, parties or I run into her.”

Casual Conversation and Podcast Inspiration

1:10:01 to 1:11:58

The hosts and Benny Blanco share a light-hearted chat about phone numbers and podcasting inspiration.

“like will I ever actually have your guys' numbers?”

Reflections on Benny Blanco's Impact

1:11:59 to 1:13:02

The hosts reflect on Benny Blanco's personality and achievements, discussing the importance of vibes and hard work.

“If we don't call him, he's going to air us out on Howard Stern.”

Discussion of Achievements and Baby Steps

1:13:03 to 1:13:26

The hosts discuss achieving goals through baby steps and share personal anecdotes.

“Wasn't there a hang that I missed that you guys were at?”

Discussion of Achievements and Baby Steps

1:13:48 to 1:14:45

The hosts discuss achieving goals through baby steps and share personal anecdotes.

“Smart Less is 100 % organic and artisanally handcrafted by Michael Grant Terry, Rob Armjarf, and Bennett Barbaco.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

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2:03Will Arnett:Hey, wow. Look at you guys. Hey, by the way, what they don't know is,

2:08Sean Hayes:the audience doesn't know, is that we had already started a cold open and Rob and Bennett were rolling yet. Remember that? Oh, God. All right. Remember, we were about to go and then Rob goes, oh, rolling. Oh, rolling. So it's a lukewarm, lukewarm opening. Now we're ready for all the rollings from Arbyar. Welcome to Smart List. Smart. Smart.

2:33Smart. Smart.

2:37Smart.

2:43Sean Hayes:Somebody 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. Oh, my God. Did you? I'm having my tea. I got to catch up with you. Oh, boy. That's so much coffee.

3:00Will Arnett:Will, did you make the bacon egg cheese sandwich?

3:04Sean Hayes:What does make mean? Oh, no. Make means booty. Did you go down to? You know what? Can I mention? I ordered it from Leora.

3:13Will Arnett:Oh, that spot. I love that spot so much. My goodness. I feel like they're leaving a little money on the table, by staying in such a small spot. I know, I agree.

3:23Sean Hayes:They're always booked up.

3:24Will Arnett:They're buried in that UTA building.

3:26Sean Hayes:Yeah. And Sean, have you been there? No. It's unbelievable. Have you had the frozen coffee, JB?

3:33Will Arnett:No, but nothing sucks there.

3:35Sean Hayes:It's a joke. I can't have it right now because it'll send me to the moon. I'll be...

3:39Will Arnett:But I'll bet you that bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich was slathered with just real tasty creams and goo sauces and stuff. Well, no, it was more like the bread had been perfectly toasted, so 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.

3:58Sean Hayes:Yeah, the cheese is so velvety. Hello. 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 Rust Development, we'd walk through rehearsal, and he'd be holding on for dear life to a breakfast burrito, two hands. And Mitch would be like, Like, yeah, we're doing this. And he'd go, oh, oh, oh. And he'd be hammering at breakfast. I mean, every morning, right, J.B.?

4:23Will Arnett:Yeah, I couldn't understand why I was holding so much water weight in my face.

4:28Sean Hayes:But I don't usually have breakfast. But today, I felt like I needed it. I don't ever have breakfast. What? I fast. Oh. I was up early because I'm on East Coast time. So I was up super early. And I was like, I got to eat something.

4:39Will Arnett:And did you walk over to the Leora place?

4:42Sean Hayes:No. You get, like, a delivery? I did an Uber Eats type deal. Well, how can it arrive hot and fresh if it's delivered? It's not delivery. It's DiGiorno. Guys, have you not... Do you not know that... So stupid.

4:57Will Arnett:I want you guys to know that I am in a puddle of my own sweat right now. So is that sweat? I thought that way you got out of the shower. That's disgusting. I know. I didn't time my workout slash sauna slash shower slash get dressed. Stop slashing. And then I slashed to the podcast. Yes. Look, I've got a fucking... So is this sauna sweat or workout sweat? This is still sauna. This is post-shower even sweat. No. Oh, so it is a shower. Yeah, the hair is, yeah. You got the shower sweats. I mean, oh. Wow. Oh, my body. Well, thank God you took a shower. Yeah. I'm going to need another one after this.

5:37Sean Hayes:Will you shower after this? You bet. Yeah. And did you already go through your whole process this morning?

5:44Will Arnett:Have I emptied? Yes.

5:46Sean Hayes:Yeah, okay. Have you? Did that happen? Have you? Obviously. Did that happen? Sean? What have I? I haven't taken a shower yet. No, 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? What do you mean? Do you have a zipper on that thing?

6:02Will Arnett:What do you want? No, I don't. I don't eat breakfast. Are you my wife? What are you?

6:09Sean Hayes:What are you? What's your nickname? Waste management? What's going on?

6:16No, I don't. I don't have to poop in the morning. I don't have to do anything. You're not regular? No, not at all.

6:22Will Arnett:We've covered this a number of times over the years. I'm sorry. Hold on. But just real quick. Is it once a day at least though, Shani? Well, maybe sometimes not. So I feel like that's a problem. I don't. I talked to my doctor about it. He said if you go something like four days without it. This is the one you've been seeing during your frequent visits to the emergency room? No, this is somebody else. Yeah. This is a different... You went ahead and decided you needed to restaff 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. But anyway.

7:00Anyway, should we get to our guest? I mean, is that a weird transition? I mean, sure.

7:05Sean Hayes:I think we're all still, our minds are all still on what's going on with you. Is this yours, Sean's? This is mine's. I was dipping my sandwich in ketchup, by the way, in case anybody was like, I was just doing a drag. But you were dragging it too, yeah. Not even drag. I know. It was a full drag. Get him out here, Sean. All right. He grew up in Reston, Virginia. I'm thinking about dragging ketchup. That sounds so good. As a teenager, he cold-called record labels.

7:29Will Arnett:Why don't you take a dump first before you think about putting more in your face? Okay? Dump truck? Waste management.

7:36Sean Hayes:We're just so worried about the backup. Go ahead, Sean. 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 five-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 Times Square. Before he turned 25, he had co-written and produced Kesha's TikTok and Rihanna's Diamonds. You may have heard of his wife, Selena Gomez. It's the singular and super cool Benny Blanco.

8:06Benny Blanco. Here we go.

8:08Will Arnett:This guy's got answers for us. How you doing? All right. There it is. Benny, how's your morning been? Well. 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. That a boy. Second of all, second of all, your doctor said you can four days. That's insane. They need to leave their license. What are you talking about? Yeah, he said that was okay. Did you get a deal on this doctor?

8:34Sean Hayes:No, his doctor doesn't hold any actual licenses per se. Yeah, my doctor says four days, too. Yeah.

8:46Will Arnett:Four days, Shawnee? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Four days. Is that a phrase? That's not. That's fine.

8:51Sean Hayes:We'll get off the subject. Maybe I got it wrong. 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 a commercial together. We did a commercial together. Oh, what commercial? For Dunkin'. Dunkin' Donuts. Yeah.

9:04Will Arnett:Oh, right on. Wow.

Read the full transcript

9:05Sean Hayes:That's good right now. That's all we got. That's all we got.

9:08Will Arnett:How about the Tim Hortons folks? would they be upset about that, Willie?

9:11Sean Hayes:Well, we don't know, eh? We haven't been in touch with them. That's a Canadian outfit, Benny. Oh, I know. It's a Canadian dunk. Wait, Benny, what's on the wall behind you with all the charts and the graphs? The other side. Guys, I don't fucking... No, the other side.

9:23Will Arnett:The other side. What office are you borrowing? Are you in a school? I'm in my doctor's office right now. Hold on. It's like you're in a classroom. It says shitting every four or six days. I don't know. This is a weird doctor's office. No, it is a very strange room. Everywhere I look, there's maps. We are in an Airbnb. Well, I don't even know if it's an Airbnb. I call everything an Airbnb. Sure, sure. If you're renting a house. There's no other name. It's like any time— It's a Q-tip. It's a cotton swab. Yeah, yeah. I'm in a rental home in London. Got it. And I've been here for a very long time.

10:03How long have you been there? About six years. No, I've been, well, it's such a stupid story. All right. Basically, I don't fly. So when I come... By the way, can I tell you something? That's my first question. I want to get into it. Okay, well, hang on. He's halfway through the answer. He was halfway through what he did. No, Sean, I don't care. You want to take it wherever you want, Sean. Let's do it. You might be a little constipated. Sorry, yeah, excuse me.

10:30Sean Hayes:He's a little backed up. Go ahead, Benny. So you don't fly. It's affecting his brain. Yeah, I know. It's shutting off. circulation to his brain. Okay, so basically, I stopped flying a long time ago. My neuroses 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 seven days to Europe. But how long is the drive from L.A. 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 two weeks.

11:14Never the train? Never the train? I've done it.

11:17Sean Hayes:I've done every form except walking. Benny, I love this so much. Okay, so can you say, first of all, seven days on a boat, and then you get there. So, of course, you've been there a long time because you don't want to take the trip back. But what about the Ed Sheeran story?

11:30Will Arnett:No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. What's the boat like? Okay. The boat is the actual Titanic. Like I'm on the Titanic. I'm on, it's not like a yacht or something. I'm on the Cunard. Right, it's a ship. Like, yeah. I'm on like a, essentially like a carnival cruise with all British people. But it's kind of badass, right? But you got a nice cabin. I imagine it's high end, yeah? Define high end. Well, like let's say the Orient Express, but floating. No, no. Okay, but does that exist? No, no. Oh, I think it does. Like the Titanic doesn't exist. Well, they're building the Titanic too, for real, from scratch.

12:08And it's going to be exactly a replica.

12:10Sean Hayes:Wow, great idea. Let's keep that going. My mom's actually on a fancy cruise right now. 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. I was making an album with Ed Sheeran. We'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 England. And I said, okay, that's really cool, but I don't fly. And he said, well, what if we take a boat? I said, what do you mean take a boat? We looked it up.

12:50It'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 cool for a day and a half. Everything else, you're like, I usually start to go insane about four days in, and you just like, you don't even know who you are anymore. You've explored all four corners of this boat

13:16Will Arnett:and all the people, and you're ready to jump over. They got the intranet on there? They got the internet. They got the internet. They got like Starlink. That's good. The first time I went, the internet was so bad, and it costs like a million dollars. Like the first time I went on, you'd 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, flying is better. Flying is better. That scares me. Big, big, big waves. There's only been one, there's only been one, the boat sunk one time out of like a million.

13:54Will Arnett:It's the best odds. And they made a great movie out of it. Yeah, but I mean, but like, but aren't you worried? I can't every documentary is like about diarrhea on a cruise ship on any ship yeah Sean you should yeah you need to go tomorrow get a ticket tomorrow

14:08Sean Hayes:yeah let's get the motor running huh yeah let's prime the pump a little bit well I actually make my own food on the boat let's get him a fog for his bathroom yeah exactly I actually make I make my own food on the boat what food what does that mean how do you do it I like bring it and I have like a little refrigerator. I either use like a rice cooker or an air fryer. And I just, I want to have my own food. I don't like the food on the boat.

14:35Will Arnett:Kill, tell me about the inciting incident that got you out of the sky and into the water. Okay. Okay. I love the way I phrase my questions. Yeah, sure. I love phrasing questions.

14:51Basically, I'm in, it's the same day. What's that guy's name? Sully? Who got the plane in the - Sully Sullenberger. Yeah, yeah. It's the exact same day Sully landed the plane in the fucking river. The Hudson River. 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 said, what do you mean am I okay? They said, that plane, we thought you were on that plane because I guess I was on one similar time. Right. And I said, no. So I hear that and I'm not even afraid. I'm like, man, what a crazy coincidence. I get on a plane to Atlanta and it got dicey.

15:28You know how I know it got dicey? I was always all good on a plane because you looked at the stewardess and they were stoked. They were stoked. I looked at the stewardess and she had a fear in her eyes I've never seen on a plane before. So I was like - Because the level of turbulence? There was a level of turbulence and we weren't allowed to walk the entire flight. You 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 ladies, the stewardess. So it's just an awful flight where you think you're going to—everyone's had that one.

16:13But 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 neuroses that grew and I wish I could say.

16:31Will Arnett:You fall in love with long drives too. I love driving long distances and, you know, but that boat is super relaxing for you, you know, I mean, like 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.

16:51Sean Hayes:Well, and creativity. Yeah. Yeah, which is a great segue, Will. Well, thank you. No, I was just going to say, I mean, people talk. It's not an original idea, but you see people talk these days about how we used to prior to social media 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. Oh, my God. 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? Is he ever coming back?

17:25Guys, I was talking about this. I was talking about this the other day with my friend. Back in the day, you'd say, hey, meet me to play basketball after school. So you'd go, 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? And like any excuse they said was valid. People used to not be accessible. Now, if you don't answer a text, they FaceTime you, then they Facebook you, then they Instagram you. Checking your location.

18:00Will Arnett:It's too much. Yeah. I want to go backwards. Yeah. Yeah, let's go backwards. But speaking about creativity. When flying is luxurious.

18:07Sean Hayes:Yeah. I remember you used to show us up. Sean, get back to the plan. Sorry, you got a plan ahead of you. Yeah, talk to me. What's your plan? Get back to the grid. What's your plan, Sean? What's on the grid, Sean? No, I mean, I just want, first of all, I've never met you and I'm like enamored with you and all your success. Same. For people don't, my sister might not know. Maybe, maybe she does. What's your sister's name? My sister's name is Tracy. Hey, Tracy. Hello, Tracy. Hey, Tracy. Hi, Tracy. She sounds nice. Do you ever just stop and think about all the success you've had when you're still so young?

18:35You've written massive hit songs for Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Maroon 5. I mean, I'm reading these. Kesha, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Halsey, I mean, Kanye West. I mean, it's just everybody in the music business has a song by you, which is just mind-blowing. And 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? Essentially. That's true. That's true. Okay, and what happened? Like, what are some of the first albums you got? And like, why did that?

19:10I got very into music when I was like four or five. I was super into it. And my brother, this was like the era of the CD book. and the tape, like, remember you used to have the book and you could flip through and it was like the most coveted item in the house? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And 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.

19:37Will Arnett:When you say the CD book, you're talking about the storage, right, with all the envelopes? Yeah, when you kept the storage. I still have mine. I still have mine. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's cool. So, yeah, tapes first came out. Case Logic, I think, was a big one.

19:48Sean Hayes:Yeah. I went to store. Here we go. Here's a gifting from Case Logic on its way.

19:53Will Arnett:No, I think 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... All for Ones, I swear. Yeah, yeah, the I swear by the moon. The moon in the stars and the sky. So I was buying this shit, 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, I had, so I had the yin and the yang and I actually wasn't even like a huge pop music fan until I started making it.

20:36Like I really didn't even, I really didn't even, I didn't really know it much.

20:40Will Arnett:Wow. Right, right, right. But it was like, when you were doing all that, 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 there ever a big rock and roll draw for you? Yeah, first. So when I'm about seven is when like the whole grunge scene hits. So I'm going crazy with my brother. I'm losing my mind. And then my dad was a huge, you know, there was a big war in my house. My mom was Beatles and my dad was Stones. So it was like a big war when I was first growing up. So they were big. Yeah, like my mom grew up going to CBGBs and Studio 54.

21:29She was very in that world. So yeah, we had a record player. I was very, I was like an old soul before I got into pop music. So I think it like helped me.

21:41Sean Hayes:And so music was a big part of your family life. Like everybody, this was a thing that everybody listened to a lot of music. Yeah, no one did, like, nobody had, nobody played music. Nobody did anything. No, but they appreciated it. Yeah, they appreciated music. Everyone appreciated music. And even though like my mom was like, shut the fuck up, stop banging everything like all over the house. Like, I was so annoying. My mom used to make us turn the music down in the car. She always hated music in the car. Yeah, to this day. She'd be like, turn it. She can't take the noise. My mom was oblivious to people who were like, remember Culture Club, Boy George?

22:20She'd be like, he has such a beautiful voice. Like, she wouldn't know he was the big gay guy. She's pretty oblivious to everyone on her right side. My mom, my mom. One time I took my mom

22:34Sean Hayes:It's a nice way of saying she had a few blind spots Yeah, exactly My mom had one eye, Benny Okay, go ahead Your mother had one eye? Yeah She had two, just one of them was glass

22:45Will Arnett:Which we brought up It wasn't glass It wasn't Was it glass? Oh, no, no, it was glass It was glass One eye Wait, what were you going to say, Benny? Sorry So my mother I took her to a Maroon 5 show, okay? And I had been doing music for them and were backstage and she literally walked up to Adam Levine and she said, hey, do you mind like turning down the bass a little when you guys perform tonight? No, really? My mom is, she's so fucking oblivious. And I said, mom, he's not going to turn down the bass. She said, why? Why is it such a big deal? It's so loud. Yeah, she told him to turn down the bass.

23:24My mother also, like when someone's coming, like let's say like Britney Spears, was going to like do Jimmy Fallon or something, she'd be like, oh, I saw Britney Spears in a time. 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 does she just, like, she's staying at, what are you talking about? Like my mom lives in like some alternate reality. Yeah, what about your dad? What did your dad do growing up? Both my parents had like, my parents divorced when I was pretty young. But like, so my mom, my dad was in the intimate apparel business.

24:05He like made like old lady nightgowns. All right. Yeah, very sexy. He made like old lady nightgowns. Like literally like the ones who like see a target. Yeah, it's like super, oh, oh yeah.

24:20Will Arnett:Well, you sound like you're really choking one off there. Oh. He's like, oh. Choking one off. My mother's job was like, couldn't be, it's like even worse. My mom, like, do you know like, do you know J.C. Penney's? Sure. Of course. And like Macy's. My mother would fix the jewelry display boxes when you went to J.C. Penney. Oh, okay, okay. Got it. 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 angel work. That is angel work.

25:00Sean Hayes:And probably, and a good way to also help your dad move some product with the show. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Intimate apparel for older people now. So opening that demo is now available. Honestly, 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. Investing with Schwab might remind you of one of your friends. Yes, the one who is smart, good at finances, and loves having it all. That one effortlessly cool friend who likes to mix and match their style by dressing up and down at the same time. You know, that suit and sneakers kind of thing.

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29:03and now back to the show

29:06Will Arnett:so there's tons of kids out there right now probably not listening to this but might know someone who is that's they're really into music and they would love to be like a big time you know record producer like you they want to be you how would they how do you do that how do you I mean what how do it work for you yeah I had that same question

29:24Sean Hayes:well Sean said that you just went you sort of fudged your way, you went to New York and kind of, like, just pure hustle. Yeah, it was so different back, back in the day, I literally, there was no anything. So I would wait outside, like, studios, and I'd be like, hey, do you make music? Like, as a person was walking by, like, you didn't know anything. There was no, there was no point of reference. And when I was younger, when I was in high school, MySpace first came out. Yeah, sure. So that was like, that was, like, YouTube didn't exist yet. Like MySpace first came out and that was how I started making my like first connections.

30:01Will Arnett: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 became, you used to be able to listen to people's songs like maybe four years later, three, four years later. But when I first started, yeah, I would just like email. I mean, we're all doing the same shit. 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 in an inevitable snowball that begins to happen.

30:39Will Arnett:So 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 like - How did that happen? How'd you get on the radio? I won a contest when I was like nine or 10 and I got to go into a studio. Wow. Like, and I used to like rap and I got to go into a studio. Yeah. And my guitar teacher like made a demo tape with me and it was just like, and then randomly my brother was in a fraternity with a guy who had a studio.

31:15And 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 believe me because it was so much of this, like, it was, like, 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. You made it. And I'm like, Mom, I was, like, already nominated for Grammy.

31:49me. She was like, yeah, but it's the New York Times. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, and it's like, yeah, and I remember I was on SNL, 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. Like, and I wasn't even like, I wasn't even like the main act, I was nothing. I had no words. I was wearing a helmet. I wasn't even, you didn't even see me. Right. A helmet in the back. Yeah, I literally had a helmet on.

32:18Will Arnett:So you're saying there were like little tiny little baby bites that everything just kept leading to the next, leading to the next. There must have been, right, TV?

32:27Sean Hayes:Like, there must have been one. Yeah, there were things. I'll give you like the big ticket hits real quick in like a minute. We're not pressed for time, by the way, unless you are. No, no, no, no, no. But I'm saying, like, I've told this shit so many times. I haven't heard it.

32:43Will Arnett:I know, but we're dum-dums. It's new to us, Benny. We want to know. It's just us, Benny. Here, it's just us. Hey, Bibi. Just sit down. Who calls you Bibi? My wife. Sometimes, but only when we write. Only in text messages. She always says Bibi, and I don't know if she's saying, I've never asked her, I don't know if she's saying, like, baby, or like, Benny Blanco, or like, I don't know. Or baby, yeah. Babe, are you listening? Well, in the future, you'll be listening to this. What do you mean? What do you mean? I know. I think she's in the other room, but I'm all hooked up. I can't even walk in there.

33:23So, okay. So here's what happened. Here's what happened. I got into music at a very young age. I start making songs. With 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 boombox, the yellow one. Remember the yellow one that was like this big and you could carry it on the beach. It was kind of waterproof. Yeah. Yes. I had like one of those. Yes. And I had like, like, um, like a Maxwell one or whatever it is.

33:59My 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. Then I would record and I would make like an 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 started learning how to do stuff like that. And then really when I was 13, there was a guy named Sam Trockey, who was my brother's, in my brother's fraternity. He had done like a few things. He knew a few people at record labels.

34:38And he He started recording my demos in a real studio, and I was like in a real actual studio. So I started learning -

34:45Sean Hayes:What state are you in? I used to travel to like Atlantic City and like Jersey, and I'm in Virginia at the time. So it's like I'm going any way I can. Friends, my brother, my mother, my father, whoever will get me away there. You know, there's buses I would take. So 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. Right. So, so I'm, like, making demos everywhere I go. And, and people are starting to notice that I have something going on.

35:29There's something that's, like, a little better than, like, the guys that are next to me. I still sucked. I still was terrible.

35:35Sean Hayes:Well, can I just pause and just say, first of all, is just a point of order. Is Benny Blanco your real name? Benny Levin. How did you go from Benny Levin? When did you become Benny Blanco? I was 13. See, it's a great name. Carlitos. 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 something. Yeah, but 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 Carlitos way. And I...

36:06Will Arnett:Wait, was that a character's name in Carlito's way? Yeah, it's character. It's John Leguizamo in Carlito'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? He's like, my whole... He's like, for so long, people have been telling me about you because it was like, I met him like maybe 10 years into my career.

36:25Sean Hayes:Yeah. So now you're Benny Blanco. I'm Benny Blanco. And people are starting to kind of notice. You're traveling, jerseys. I'm traveling. I'm in Philly. I start getting on like mixtapes. Okay. So like I would be on like, I would be like back in the day you would go to New York and you buy these mixtapes 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. And I'm starting to get on like the like lowest level guys, like mixtapes. Like, it's like, I'm like, I'm again, it's like, I'm like the like fifties cousins, brother's nephew.

37:02I'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. And then.

37:09Will Arnett:So wait, so these mixtapes, these were things that basically, um, for lack of a better term, these musical influencers would like pick these hits that they like. They'd, 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. No, no. So a mixtape would be like this in between like a rapper's big album. Okay. They would make a set of songs that would just come out for free because A, they couldn't get samples cleared. Or there was artists on them. It was making illegal music, usually before an album's coming out to lead up to it or to get yourself a record.

37:50And they're not sold in stores. They're passed around people in the scene. Yeah, they're passed around and sold in the city. And they're done on burned cassettes or burned CDs. Like on Canal Street? Yeah. Yes, yes, exactly, exactly, exactly. And it's not such a thing anymore. So I'm acting like I know. Yeah, and 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. My brother was in college, and he was near there. Okay, so back to the thing. So I'm doing this stuff, and I start making some noise.

38:25And 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 Schechter, okay? And he owns at the time a thing called The Source Magazine. And it was the biggest rap magazine on planet Earth. This is like New York Times for rap. And he also, at that time, had just put out a rapper's album before they put out any big stuff. And that rapper was Eminem. And he had just, and he had also put out some stuff and he was very involved with like 50 Cents early, like just like all these little things.

39:14And he was like, he was the closest thing I got to like as big as it gets. And he was influencing rap music in a big way. And so through that, I started getting more connections. and eventually I got a record, I got two record deal offers when I was about 15 and they flew down, they flew down to Virginia and they watched me perform at my high school homecoming. No way.

39:43Sean Hayes:Yes, yes. And it was like, I don't even, 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 Wow and Lil Romeo.

39:56Will Arnett:And Schechter kind of validated you, yeah? Schechter validated me. Little Benny. Yeah, Sam validated me, 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. So they were your legal counsel. They looked over the offer. Yeah, I guess so at that time. I can't even remember. But before that, I read that the first money you ever made in music was for a softcore porn series, and you were like 14, 15. That is true. Jonathan Schechter owned a thing called Hip Hop Hunnies, 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.

40:35So he paid me$500 for two beats. And I, mine as well was Brad Pitt at home. Like I came home, I showed every friend. I had$500. Nobody had$500. I had$500. I'm 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. I'm like, mom, I'm in the thing. I just got$500. She's like, I don't care. You should work. It's trash. It's trash. We were on the airplane and it was disgusting. So, okay, things are happening. I'm fast forwarding a little bit. In high school, I trick a man One of my favorite producers was this guy named -

41:22Sean Hayes:Sean said that. Yeah, exactly. He just said same.

41:28I was on MySpace and I reached out to one of my favorite producers and I saw 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. And he never answered. And then I said, 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. I have no idea why he did this. He said, I'm leaving town next weekend. He said, if you can book my studio for three days, fully booked, you have a job.

42:11You 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. I literally, I borrowed. I remember borrowing$75 from my mom to count, like, as part of the thing. And, like—

42:24Will Arnett:How much is studio time? Like an hour? At that—oh, my God. I can't remember. Is it, like, five grand or five hundred? I think I—no, no. I think it was, like, 500 for the day or something. Uh-huh, right. So—or maybe it was for the weekend. I can't even remember. But 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 move out to New York when I'm, you know, 17, 18. 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 place.

42:57Like, it's like, so I'm. Yeah, where are you living? I signed up for a, like, audio engineering school. And there was, like, this thing where you could stay in, like, the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn. 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 because I can't help you after that. So - 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.

43:39So it was like, this was, the scene was me, Diplo, MIA, A-Track. This was like everyone like still, 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 the guy I was working for, who I was interning for, he, you know, suffered a lot of mental illness. And I'm skipping over a lot, but 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 people.

44:20I'd be like, please work with me. And somehow nobody would work with me. Nothing. I would try to sell beats. Nothing fucking worked. Nothing worked. No bites, nothing. And I remember listening to like a mixtape where this guy took like Notorious B.I.G. vocals and he put them over Frank Sinatra instrumentals. And I was like, that's so cool. And this was right when Gnarls Barkley came out. Remember that song? Like, does that make you crazy? Yeah, 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.

44:56And I have to like take samples and do stuff like this. So I came up with an idea. And the only rapper I knew personally was this guy named Spankrock, Naeem Jouan. 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, he was on like, you know, the cover of Fader Magazine. He was like on Complex Magazine. It 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 ex-manager's house and we were just like reminiscing. And I said, dude, please, you got to work with me.

45:35I convinced him to make one song with me. We made one song. Nothing 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 about five months into me being in New York. And 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.

46:00Will Arnett:No way. Yeah, he said, and it's called Downtown Records. The most ironic thing is Gnarls Barkley was signed to the same label. So like the fate is crazy. So I get offered this opportunity. I'm making my first album. It's surreal. It's surreal. I'm working with everyone that I wanted to at the time. 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 anything. I said, I don't know pop music. I said, who's Dr. Luke? So I go to the meeting. I don't know anything of what he does. He does like pop rock music.

46:42Basically, 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, you want to come work on music tomorrow night? And 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 L.A. with me and work on artists like Britney Spears and stuff like that?

47:15And I'm like, of course I knew. 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 I didn't even know who any of these people are. So these are like, to anyone listening, these are like the titans. These are like the godfathers of pop music. Like Max Martin has like the most number ones of, he has like more number ones than the Beatles. And so I'm sitting there. I know fucking 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.

47:49I walk in. I walk in. And this is like, I had never seen paparazzi. I had no idea. I walk in. 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 kind of in a jungle. It's called Conway Studios. I don't know if you've ever been there. It's in LA. And it's a cool indoor-outdoor studio. So I'm walking around in the parking lot. And a man comes down from a bungee cord. And he snaps a picture of my face. And I was like, what the fuck is going on? And then all of a sudden, a security guard tackles the man.

48:26And I'm like, and that's like my first. And I'm like, whoa, okay, 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 moving. That's amazing. When did you pretend to be Jay-Z's attorney? Like what part of the time? That was when I was like 13. Oh, okay, okay. I thought that was later. I'm skipping around. I'm partying with Paris, man. We got to talk about Jay-Z. That's funny. Wow. So I'm 18. Yeah. I put the music, I put 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.

49:05I'm in the studio with Dr. Luke and a guy named Claude Kelly. And 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. That's crazy. It was like... Yeah, I mean, for Trace, well, you guys too, you might not know Dr. Luke. He produced like, Since You've Been Gone, you know that... Everything. Him and Max. I kissed a girl. I came in like a wrecking ball from Milosiris.

49:42Yeah. Tons of stuff. And Max Martin produced every song for Britney Spears. Hit me baby one more time. Yeah, every song for the Backstreet Boys. I want it that way. Cool. Every NSYNC song. Yeah, like all the new Taylor Swift stuff he does. He does a lot on The Weeknd. Yeah. So, okay. So I'm sitting in the room with these guys and it's like the biggest imposter syndrome in the world. I have no idea what I'm fucking doing. I'm 18 years old. These guys are like 40. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

50:09But the thing that's cool is the artists all are really young. So they look at me. I'm like, and so like Max is like, hey, go get the artist to do this song. And I'm like the cool guy who like goes out to the clubs and like knows where the cool food is.

50:27Sean Hayes:Well, you've got the street cred. You know what I mean? 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 songs. That's what I tell all these people. They'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 fudged my way completely into what I'm doing. Like I just faked it and learned on the fucking job.

51:02Will Arnett:But you have taste and you know how, you know what sounds good. You 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?

51:12Sean Hayes:Yeah, A, there's that. 100 % there is that because you had it in you all. It sounds like you came from it naturally. there's always music we covered and 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 yeah you manifested it by working hard you it didn't happen by accident dude right 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.

51:50Yeah.

51:51Sean Hayes:Like, you didn't want to go and live, like, going to stay and do that engineering program where you get a room in Brooklyn. That led to a bunch of other shit. Of course. And so people go like, how do you get there? Well, you got to do, like, as you said before, you got to do these little steps, these little bullshit things. Yeah, I thought I was going to be the biggest rapper in the world. Yeah. But I landed doing some pretty cool shit. Like, here's what I'll say for you guys, though. Seriously. 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?

52:21Are there people that you feel are more deserving?

52:24Sean Hayes:A million. Yes, yes. But, like, you're talented, and you guys have, like, to me, it's like you guys have, like, great vibe. You 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

52:46Will Arnett:is like it's like people skills and yeah yeah yeah and people go ahead you go I have nothing to say okay

52:56no I wanted to get to because we're running out of time and I don't want to take all your time I thought you said you had all the time in the fucking world that was an hour ago the truth is

53:04Sean Hayes:for me is also I'm a really good lay yeah I can tell you look you're hot you're hot you guys are all so beautiful thanks man

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56:13All 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. How did you meet?

56:26Will Arnett:Benny just, by the way, Benny just passed her for me. I mean, we don't know each other, Benny. This is a curse for me. I'd like to officially ask for your friendship, okay? You don't have to answer now, I know, I know. Yeah, I'd like you a part of my life, please. Guys, 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 isn't a joke. Like, I've, first of all, I've seen every single Arrested Development episode ever. Second of all, I've watched Ozark three different times because I had to show so many different people.

57:12Selena and I, every single night, we go to bed to Will and Grace. Every single night, no matter what. It's like, first of all, I love the show, but that's her doing. I'm not watching Will and Grace every single fucking night of my life. No, no, every straight guy says the same thing, yeah. I can say the same thing.

57:32Sean Hayes:Sean, Sean, can we have a quick visit from Jack? Can you visit your character? Can you just have a quick visit? But it's so funny. It's so funny. Straight guys always come to me like, my wife loves a show. I mean, I don't watch it with her, but then they quote it. I watched it with my mother, and then I've rewatched it now 700 times with my wife. Okay, so how did I meet my wife? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here'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. Her mother, I was already like pretty successful as a producer, okay?

58:09And she hadn't really made music yet. She's a few years younger than me. 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 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. It 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, one of my closest friends signed her to a record deal at Interscope Records.

58:54His name's John Janik. I also have my own record label there and that's where I put out my music. and he said, we signed this girl Selena and I was like, oh yeah, I love her stuff. Like she was getting big and she 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. Cause I'm too old for it. I like didn't, it was over my head. So we get put together and we make a few songs. We have a really big hit song called Same Old Love and she's, that's 2014. And over the next few years, We have made a few songs, like, very, like, friend is, like, the loosest term in the world.

59:33Like, acquaintances that spend extended period of time in the studio together. Right. But nothing more than that. Then, 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 has J Balvin on it, and it's a really cool song. and we're shooting the music video, okay? And she was going through a tough time at that time. 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, yeah, and, like, when she, like, don't talk about this thing and don't say too much of that.

1:00:21And, like, maybe, like, if she looks like she, and it's like, I'm sure you guys get that with stuff like through the podcast or like even people say that about you. And then, 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. I'm like, dude, I'm like, she's fucking cool. I'm like, Selena, it's like the first time where we actually hung out and got deep.

1:00:59And there's like a picture of us.

1:01:01Sean Hayes:By the way, she insulted. You're like, finally, you're like, after years, you're like, hey, you know what? You're cool. And she's like, hey, thanks a lot. Yeah, finally. No, no, no. She wasn't because it's like, she's like, you know, in a studio sometimes. And just like someone at her level, you can be a little bit guarded in a situation. Sure, yeah, sure. And like, I really got, what were you saying? I was just saying, I read that when she used to show up to your house a little early and sit outside and like fix herself and talk to her friend on the phone before going in because she was so nervous and you knew it because you had cameras outside?

1:01:32This and 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. What 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 are you? And 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.

1:02:13And they thought I was like taking a dig at Selena, okay? And it's like, you don't need to waste the time. It's been like talked about so many times. They thought I was taking 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. Right, right, right. So things maybe seem a little weird. And, like, 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.

1:02:48And sometimes it's like, oh, was that awkward? Was that in my head? So I 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 I heard it and I was like, oh, I'm not a huge fan of this song, but let me help you guys make it better. And John calls me up and he said, okay. He said, but 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 he was like, maybe you should go to the studio and just like show face and like, just like make things all good.

1:03:30And 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 laughing, but so not in a romantic way. 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. 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 tripping on toad.

1:04:06What is toad? What is toad?

1:04:09Sean Hayes:Wait, let him hear it. I want to hear it. Okay, well, you're so well-read. Yeah, he is very well-read. Toad is the thing where you like slip— His assistant is busy. His assistant is very busy. It's where you fucking slip into another dimension. Read about it when you're trying to take a shit next time. Okay. Very good, very good. Here's where we're at. 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, We're saying like, so glad we got into you. I had like the best time ever. And we start talking back and forth. And it was just like, you know, to me like simple artist talk.

1:04:49And 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 don't really like pay much mind. I'm just like, oh, this is just like friendly banter. And then she asks me to hang out the next day. She said, do you want to hang out? and I said, oh, I said, yo, I got my friend's birthday dinner. You want to come with me? And I'm thinking it's friends because I'm like, obviously Selena Gomez doesn't want to go out on a date with me. And I had no idea. I had no, I'm obviously. Are we getting to, we're going to get to the date soon, right?

1:05:28Yeah, we're getting to the date. We're getting to the date right now. Why, you got to go take a poop or something? So, okay. It's Friday. We're at the date. We're at the date. That's frightening. She thinks it's a date. I have no idea it's a date. Okay? Yeah. And she makes a comment where I'm like, is this a date? But I don't know. And then we're, because we're with other people. Like, first we got a glass of wine, then we're with other people. 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.

1:06:01And then I'm like, oh, she's just, like, super busy and that we were just friends. And then she texted me. She's like, that was the best time I've had in a really long time. And I'm like, oh, yeah, so fun. Then we go out on a second date. Then I'm like, oh, this is a date. And I lay a smooch on her. Wow. And we literally since that day have been inseparable. She's the yang to my yang. She's my best friend. 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.

1:06:42Will Arnett: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. You know, it seems like it's just such a great, a great match the two of you.

1:06:58Sean Hayes:Yeah, you're lucky. You guys are both such genuine people. people always say things they're like what 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 night I'm like what do you do on a 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 I love that Benny you know we got to let you go because we've taken away too much 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.

1:07:36Has anybody tried to buy either one? So that was the thing from like nine years ago when I first became an artist and it went like super viral back then. 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. Okay, great. I love that. I'll send it over to you. And your new album, Hermoso, which is, 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 Fuck Failure? Is that what it's called? Yes, yes. Like, yeah.

1:08:10I have a book on just like how to fail upwards, you know? Ooh, I like that.

1:08:16Will Arnett:That's out now? It probably will be when this thing's out. Let's just say, watch, 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. You should get it soon. Yeah. Now watch it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just insert them, right? God, he's good. Benny, but there's not a lot of people on the planet with your success, so 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, everybody knows your songs. It's got to be the best feeling in the world.

1:08:52Sean Hayes:And how earned it is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's really impressive. Truly, truly, truly, truly, I mean it. It's so well earned and deserved because you worked really, really hard. I don't like compliments. Say something really bad about me. Say something terrible about me.

1:09:06Will Arnett:I never get them, so I don't know. When do you sail back to the States? I sail back in September. I'm going back in September because I got to go promote my book in New York. And then I'm really taking some time off. I won't have been home in four and a half months. Is New York home or Los Angeles? No, Los Angeles is home. And I just want to like... Shut up. Oh, my God. Yeah, I haven't slept in my bed in almost five months. Yeah, I just finished that.

1:09:36Sean Hayes:Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? The four of us, New York to L.A. road trip? Oh, shit. Where do you guys live? Are you all L.A.?

1:09:45Will Arnett:Yes. Yes. Yeah. Both. Can I hang out with you guys? Yeah, right when you get back. Yeah, please come hang out with us. Is this fake? I missed the last hangout, but I want, I'm going to be a big part of the next one. Is this fake? No, it's real. Are we, is there actual, like will I ever actually have your guys' numbers? Is this a thing we're talking about on here and then we never speak ever again? Be honest. I'll love you either way. I would be killed to hang out with you. All kinds of weird things. We're going to forward you. We're going to text you. It's going to be awkward. Here, I'm going to tell you guys something.

1:10:20Your phone number? Right now. No, just, yeah, I'm telling you my number right now. 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. 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's really going to happen. I tell you what, we're going to cut it.

1:10:40Sean Hayes:We're going to cut it. Give us your phone number right now. And we're going to write it down old school style. We'll cut it. Okay.

1:10:45Will Arnett:Are you going to write it down with a pen? Yeah, I got a pen. Me too. Hey guys, don't cut it. Guys, don't cut it. Yeah, yeah, don't cut it. Whatever you do, do not cut that. I've literally leaked that number by mistake like four times. And I just like, my phone just rings all day. By the way, you know what the thing is? Anybody can have my number. It doesn't mean I'm going to respond. I know, I know. My phone just rings all day. Holy shit. Whoa, dude, that was deep as fuck. You guys are actually amazing. Benny, we love you. Thank you so much.

1:11:19Sean Hayes: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. We have a podcast. Oh, great. 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 a podcast. And it's been like one of our favorite things we get to do together because I do it. They're my two best friends and I get to do it with them. Oh, that's great. Yeah, it's fun. That's what we do.

1:11:46Will Arnett:It was very nice of you to come on this one. Yeah, dude, so good. So, so good. You guys are rad, man. Yeah. Thank you guys so much. All right, give our love to Selena. All right, I will. We'll talk soon. Okay, love you. See you when you're back. Talk to you soon. Bye, buddy. Text me that number, Willie.

1:12:04Sean Hayes:Yeah, I will.

1:12:05Will Arnett:I love that threat. I love that threat. If we don't call him, he's going to air us out on Howard Stern. I just texted him first. Ah, that's great, shoot. That's a nice fella. Real nice. Yeah, I like him a lot. What a story. I mean, like, inspiring. Like, you know, we talk about it a lot on here, but it is all about baby steps to get to the thing you want, and anybody can get there. You just have to put the work in, right? Yeah. Yeah, it seems like he's already lived, like, a long lifetime. I know.

1:12:41Sean Hayes:He's 38. He's got, like, he was talking about vibe and stuff. Like, he's got great vibe. he's got great thing with people and there's something about him and you combine that with the hard work and a true sort of talent for music and ear and all that sort of stuff and it's just a winning combo. I want to hang out with him. I know.

1:13:04Will Arnett:Wasn't there a hang that I missed that you guys were at? I wasn't. On Sunday or something maybe? No, maybe.

1:13:11Sean Hayes:Might have been while you were both out. I was out of town for 71 days. can you be more specific oh boy well you served your time

1:13:17Will Arnett:Willie and now you learned your lesson I think right

1:13:21Sean Hayes:but it just goes to I mean his book's coming out but I was gonna say like he achieved it all but you were saying it's all it's all just baby steps right yeah and then you do those and then once you get through those it's bye bye baby bye bye bye

1:13:41Will Arnett:bye Bye.

1:13:45Sean Hayes:Bye. Smart. Less.

1:13:52Smart. Less.

1:13:57Sean Hayes:Smart Less is 100 % organic and artisanally handcrafted by Michael Grant Terry, Rob Armjarf, and Bennett Barbaco.

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From the publisher

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.

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