Benny Blanco Ruling

FILL IN THE BLANCO: What do Maroon 5’s “Payphone,” Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Ke$ha’s “Die Young” have in common? They are all the work of red-hot 24-year-old producer/writer Benny Blanco, who has already amassed 13 #1 hits, including Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream” and “I Kissed a Girl.,” Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite,” Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger,” among others. Earlier this year, the Dr. Luke protege received the Songwriter of the Year Award at the BMI Pop Awards. Over the past five years he’s had an incredible run, from making beats in his bedroom, to doing early work with Spank Rock and Santigold to building a diverse discography filled with smash hits. Look for him to be a strong contender come Grammy time for Song and Record of the Year. (10/29p)