Sia performs live at the 2024 BMI PopAwards.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (LA ELEMENTS) 6/10/2024 – “Guys, everyone who’s winning an award for the first time, it’s fucking amazing, says 2024 President’s Award honoree, Benny Blanco at the BMI Pop Awards.
As a songwriter and producer, Blanco has amassed a huge array of hits for some of Pop Music’s most acclaimed performers including “Moves Like Jagger” (Maroon 5), “Diamonds,” (Rhianna) “California Gurls” (Katy Perry) and “Senorita” (Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes).
The BMI Pop Awards recognizes the composers of the 50 most performed pop songs from the previous year. In his acceptance speech, which Blanco gave barefoot while sitting cross-legged on the stage of the Beverly Willshire Ballroom, he advised first time honorees, “Don’t try to act too cool. Because when I was younger, I tried to act cool. I didn’t really revel in the wins.”
“I remember there was like a time in my career when I didn’t have a lot of big songs and I was like, ‘Am I ever going to have a big song again?’ And then when it came back and I did have that I was like I’m never not going to live in the moment and be like, ‘Wow! I actually did something, achieved something with my friends.’
Benny Blanco (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
The 2024 BMI Pop Awards were held on June 4, 2024, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. This invitation only industry event honored Taylor Swift as BMI Songwriter of the Year. Sony Music Publishing was recognized as Publisher of the Year. The BMI Pop Song of the Year was “Flowers.”
Opening the awards was Mike O’Neill, BMI President and CEO, who no doubt addressed the elephant in the room. “Let’s talk about AI. I know we always talk about AI in the music business today, but it’s an issue that continues to be a massive focus for all of us. We’re in D.C fighting to protect your interests. We’re in Congress, we’re in the Senate. That’s why five years ago we opened an office in the nation’s capital. The only PRO that actually has done that. We have a person on the ground day in day out fighting for your rights. And we’re also working hard to make sure you can keep doing what you all do best and that’ s writing the world’s greatest music.”
Barbara Cane head of Worldwide Creative gave a heartfelt welcome to all the award winners “We not only celebrate you for these many creative achievements, but above all and perhaps most enduring of all, is the friendship that we share with you through all these years and the smile that you bring to all our hearts.”
Each year, the BMI Pop Awards always has a special surprise, and this year was no different. While guests enjoyed their filet mignon dinner and champagne, Sia took the stage with a live performance of “Diamonds,” the song she co-wrote with Blanco and Stargate.
In his closing remarks, Blanco reminded the hit makers in the room, “We have the best fucking job in the world. Like, this is our job. I have no shoes on. And I’m drinking champagne talking to other people who also have the best jobs in the world and we’re so thankful and lucky to be in this room. There’s so much shit going on in the world and we have the opportunity to at least make things better through music and help people when their day is shitty or when their day is really good. We’re giving the soundtrack to people’s lives.”
We caught up on the red carpet with some of the artists whose hit songs carried us through 2023.
Feli Ferraro at the 2024 BMI Pop Awards.
Photo: Elva Zevallos for LA ELEMENTS
Feli Ferraro “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
What’s the challenge that putting your own personal vision in a song that has already been a hit presents? Like “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
“Well first and foremost, obviously “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” is big shoes to fill. So, I think the most important part is coming with something different, new and unique. I’m not trying to necessarily live up to or do something that’s exactly the same. It’s important to do what you honestly think is a new and unique way in your own creativity that can further that in a new direction. Take it out of its space rather than keeping it in the same space.
You collaborated with quite a few artists on that song. What was that like?
“I personally loved and had so much fun working on that song because it was such a unique collaboration of artists that you wouldn’t have expected to see on a song altogether. There’s a little bit of the rap from Coi the singing from Ann Marie and the dance beat from David Guetta. It was such a cool combination of people and genres. It took it out of that space that it came from but still held true to the original song.”
Why do you think this particular version of that song became so popular with so many people?
“I think that obviously given the fact that it’s a classic you really can’t go wrong. When people hear that classic melody, they already feel attached to it to a certain extent. So then living up to the meat of the song, the rest of it, and putting meaning behind it, that can then further people’s interest in connection with the song. Which I feel like, everyone wants to have a connection especially, the world, what’s going on in the world is always crazy. People wanting that connection and wanting to find that. I think that rings true in the song as well.”
Clinton Sparks
Photo: Elva Zevallos for LA ELEMENTSClinton Sparks “Bloody Mary”
What do you think it is about your music that has resonated with so many people?
“I approach making music as music that people need, right, as opposed to just making music. So, I think about what’s a feeling that needs to be fulfilled? What’s a feeling that somebody’s feeling? So, I approach music on thinking how does it touch people in a way because it’s a song or it’s something that they need? And that’s my formula.”
What’s the one thing that inspires you to write music?
“Feelings. Stories. What people go through whether it’s myself…most of my music is basically taking stories from my own life and then I’ll tweak it a little sometimes, so it fits more than just me. So, I go in and I do exactly what I feel and then I scientifically go in and think, ‘what can I tweak so it touches more people and not so directly personal to me.”
(L-R) Mark Nilan Jr. and Dan Henig (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
Mark Nilan Jr. and Dan Henig “Victoria’s Secret”
The song Victoria’s Secret is very much a woman-centered song, isn’t it?
Mark Nilan
“Jax had the vision and we were just there to help out.”
When you read the lyrics could you emphasize with what the song was talking about?
Dan Henig
“Actually, after the song came out my mom heard it and she was like, ‘Wow. This is the first time I heard a song that speaks to this,’ because when she was growing up Victoria’s Secret was all the rage and she felt the pressure just like I’m sure many women did. And it’s kind of interesting as a man we don’t really go through life that way. So it was really cool to be part of something that did that.”
We are a Los Angeles based magazine. What’s your favorite thing to do here in the city?
Mark Nilan
“I’m not the guy to ask. I live in Santa Clarita. And I like to stay there. It took me twenty minutes to find out how to park around here.”
You’re favorite thing to do in LA is probably picking up awards like the one you’re picking up tonight.
“Yeah! That’s a nice thing to do!”
Dan Henig
“I would say my favorite thing is going to go to Go Greek with my wife and getting a frozen yogurt and just writing songs with my friends.”
(L-R) Sean Silverman and Alex Silverman (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
Alex Silverman, Sean Silverman “Sex, Drugs, ETC.”
What inspires you to write?
Sean Silverman
“For me lately it’s been finding joy. Whatever brings me the most joy tends to yield the most results and it used to be the opposite. I used to go to the well looking for things that were really painful and would hurt me. I thought that was really on the surface but really, I was seeking joy.”
What kinds of things bring you joy? That’s a very broad question I know.
“A nice farmer’s market on a Sunday morning. Nice flowers, the smell of fresh flowers. Cute dogs.”
Alex Silverman
“All the dogs including my own.”
Ruth B. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
I love the title of your song, “Dandelions.” Not many people know that you can make a wish on a dandelion. Stars yes. Your song is a bittersweet kind of ballad. What was the creative process behind that?
“When I was 21 years old I was very much in love with someone, and I was at the age where I was actually blowing on dandelions. It was very authentic to my life at the time.”
A lot of the artists I’ve interviewed have mentioned a broken heart as inspiration.
“I always say, ‘Take that broken heart and turn it into art baby.’
I love that! Would you say right now that’s the most personal song that you’ve written?
“I’d say it’s one of them. I think all the music that I write is very much from my heart. “Dandelions” is no exception for sure.”
Who would be your dream collaboration? Who would you like to work with?
“I love Coldplay. Chris Martin of Coldplay. If I could just watch him in the studio that would be a dream come true for me.”
Allie Crystal
Allie Crystal “Snap”
How did “Snap” come to be?
“We wrote the song with Rosa Linn. We were like, ‘What is happening?’ because nothing was happening at that time. Three years later she goes to Eurovision with that song. And then it has its moment and goes viral. And it’s her first song out so it’s kind of a huge moment. I’m so excited for her and us.”
It is amazing because you write songs and you never know which one is going to take off.
“You never know what’s going to happen and that’s what’s awesome about it.”
Why do you think this one has taken off? Why have so many people been hooked in by “Snap?”
“I would say it’s because it touches on heartbreak and love and that’s just the universal language. Everybody knows it. The simpleness in the chorus we count, ‘One, two, where are you?’ It’s so simple, one, two, abcd. People really love that.
Lisa Loeb (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Lisa Loeb “Stay”
You’ve written quite the classic, “Stay.” What was the inspiration for that
“It was a weirdly personal story. Usually, I write things that are a little bit more made up and fictional but that was about an argument I was having at the time with a boyfriend who I was also working with. And that kicked off the song then it goes all these different places. And I initially started the music part because I was trying to write a song for Daryl Hall of Hall and Oats.
Daryl Hall!
“I heard he was looking for music, so I was trying to write a song for him. It didn’t work out but now most recently I did play the song with him at Daryl’s house.
John Byron
Photo: Elva Zevallos for LA ELEMENTS
John Byron “Last Night”
“You’ve been writing with so many incredible people, Charlie Puth, Morgan Wallen. What inspires your songwriting?
“As a writer I try and connect a lot with the people who I’m working with and what’s going on in their lives. And I try and bring a little influence from what’s been going on in my life. And I like to call the artists my friends. We’re very personal with each other and we like to share with each other. We try to tap into what’s been happening in each other’s lives and just really trying to create the best art that other people can connect to.”
The Morgan Wallen song, “Last Night, is very much about heartbreak. So many songwriters who have walked the red carpet have said that heartbreak inspires them a lot.
“For sure. “Last Night” is honestly kind of about toxic love and kind of the relationship between two people who can’t really call it quits and aren’t really very good for each other and all that stuff. That’s happened a lot in my life and in the lives of other people I know. I’m not going to mention any names.
Carter Lang (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
Carter Lang “Kill Bill”
Your collaboration with SZA on “Kill Bill.” That entire song is sooo provocative. Can you tell me a little about how “Kill Bill” came to be?
“The inspiration started with a piece of music that my friend Rob showed me. That was just some chords. And I was messing around with it I started playing a little groove to it and the world started to unfold…(we get interrupted by songwriter/producer Mike Sabath who exclaims “Carter Lang’s a legend! Carter Lang’s a legend!)
“Hi Mr. Sabath. The world started to unfold in the production and it started to kind of become a mood. It felt a little westerny, it felt a little psychedelic and it was really fun to play with around with the beat. And so when it came down to playing, SZA had a handful of ideas. We’re not always there to say ‘hey, write this write that. She might check in with us and say, ‘Hey, what do you think about this? We know in our hearts where she lies with the lyrics or where she lies with something. So she really took it there and she got really animated with it. And then Rob sent me the idea after they recorded it and I was just like, ‘All right, that sounds like a thing.’ The lyrics are so ironic over that lighthearted beat.”
You’ve got to collaborate more with SZA.
She’s one of my best friends.
Khristopher Riddick-Tynes (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for BMI)
Khristopher Riddick-Tynes “Snooze”
You’ve worked with so many amazing artists. Which song have you written would you say has been the most personal for you?
“I don’t know. I think the most special for me would be when we produced Ariana’s “Honeymoon Avenue” because that was the first time that we were able to use the full string section and we were able to record the strings at Capitol Records where my grandmother used to record.
Your grandmother used to record?
“My grandmother was an artist signed to Uptown back in the 60’s.
What’s her name?
“Maria Tynes. You can find her records on YouTube and stuff. But that was a really special moment because we got to record strings and I was able to show her. She passed away shortly after that, but it was awesome to share that moment with her.”
Boon
Photo: Elva Zevallos for LA ELEMENTS
Boon “Daylight”
Out of all the songs that you have written which is the most personal for you? Personal or special.
“That’s really hard. I’m working on one that isn’t out yet. That’s a sucky answer but it’s on the way.”
What inspires your songwriting?
“A lot of times not real life. Usually it’s the opposite of what I have happening. I don’t want to get too vulnerable. But I love making up stories.”
We’ve had a lot of artists tonight who said heartbreak.
“For me, I don’t want to write songs when I feel that. That’s the last thing I want to do. I’m like, taking a break.
We are a Los Angeles based magazine. When you’re here in LA, what’s your favorite thing to do?
“Go to Spot Coffee at K-town at one in the morning.”
Tallia Storm
Photo: Elva Zevallos
Talia Storm “Addicted”
“You were discovered by Elton John. Tell me about that.”
“Honestly, I owe my life to him. He is my inspiration. The funny thing is he actually said to me, Talia, it’s going to take you ten years before you even start. And I was like, ‘What do you mean ten years Elton!’ Even though I opened for him when I was only 13 years old, I feel like now I’m really only starting. So I’m so grateful to him for believing in me and giving me my big break. And here in LA I just did an EP with DJ Camper. And I feel like all my dreams are coming true. Being in this room alone tonight with such superstars really is such a dream come true?
What inspires your songwriting?
“I think I’m very passionate. I’m a lover girl. I love to feel things and I think we often run from our feelings. Music is my escapism. It’s my joy and without that I really don’t know where I would be. So my advice to anyone is take the jump, do the bad thing, at least it’s a good story for a song.”
Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 20.6 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.3 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. For additional information and the latest BMI news, please visit their site.
Cover photo of Benny Blanco by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)
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