Benny Blanco, the producer behind some of the biggest pop anthems of the last decade, has a message for anyone trying to break into music: talent alone won't cut it. In a candid conversation on the Mel Robbins podcast, the 12-time Grammy nominee explained that his real secret has been a kind of selective amnesia—choosing to forget every rejection, every closed door, and every moment of doubt.
“If you forget your failures, everyone else will too,” he said, describing a mindset that has carried him from a high school library in Virginia to studios with Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. It's a philosophy that resonates far beyond the United States, especially for Latino artists who often face extra hurdles of language, distance, and representation.
From MySpace messages to global anthems
Blanco didn't grow up with industry connections. As a teenager, he would call record labels and send messages through MySpace from his school's library, pitching himself to anyone who would listen. He also recalled waiting outside recording studios as a kid, offering to run errands or help with anything just to get his foot in the door.
That persistence paid off. He's now racked up 29 number-one songs across global charts, working with icons like Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran. But even his biggest hits, like “Eastside,” went through tense negotiations and rejections before finding their audience. Blanco's point is that the path to success is rarely a straight line—it's a series of small, stubborn steps forward.
For Latino creators, this message hits close to home. Whether you're a reggaeton producer in San Juan, a corridos singer in Los Angeles, or a cumbia DJ in Buenos Aires, the industry can feel like a fortress. But Blanco's story is proof that hustle and consistency can open doors that talent alone might leave locked.
The three-legged stool of a sustainable career
Blanco also shared a practical framework for staying grounded in a demanding field. He compares his stability to a three-legged stool: health, purpose in work, and meaningful relationships. If any one leg is weak, the whole thing wobbles.
“When I come home, I try to disconnect completely,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being present with his wife, Selena Gomez. For him, listening to a loved one is as valuable as earning a platinum record. It's a reminder that success isn't just about chart positions—it's about building a life you don't need to escape from.
His advice for anyone chasing a dream? “Lose the fear of embarrassment. Take that goal you've been putting off and move it forward by at least one centimeter every day.” It's a simple but powerful formula: sustained discipline, a bit of selective amnesia, and relentless passion.
Blanco's story is a testament to the power of persistence, a quality that defines so many Latino journeys—from Jeff Bezos's Cuban father arriving in Miami alone to the rise of artists like Feid in the reggaeton scene. The music industry may be tough, but as Blanco shows, forgetting failure and keeping your eyes on the next step can make all the difference.
