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Simon de Wit (born 19 April 1997), known professionally as Blanks, is a Dutch musician, songwriter and record producer. Alongside his own releases, he writes and produces for a range of Dutch and international artists[1]. He is also a co-owner of the independent label Excited About Music[2], which releases his work as well as music by artists such as MEAU, jet van der steen and Isabel van Gelder.
Beginning his music career as a YouTuber, he created his channel Music by Blanks in 2013. His remakes of Bazzi's Mine and Post Malone's Better Now went viral in 2018 and became his breakthrough.[3]
Early life and education
De Wit grew up in the province of Groningen[4]. He began taking guitar lessons around the age of twelve, later adding vocal and piano training. He taught himself filming, editing, songwriting and music production through YouTube tutorials. He attended the Parcival College for secondary school[5], and during that time started creating YouTube videos, which eventually developed into an international career on the platform.[6][7] He later studied Information Science (BSc and MSc) at the University of Groningen,[8] where he continued developing as a songwriter and music producer.
Career
Early career
De Wit began uploading videos to YouTube in 2013. Under the name Music by Blanks, he developed several recurring concepts for his channel, including the One Hour Song Challenge, Style Swaps, Story Sessions and Blanks Invites.[9] His 1980s-style remake of Post Malone’s Better Now reached millions of views and received international attention across social media platforms.[10][11] At the request of DJ Armin van Buuren, he created a Beatles-style version of Blah Blah Blah.[12] Through his Story Sessions, he involved his fanbase directly in the music-writing process, allowing fans from around the world to follow and influence the creation of new songs.[13]
In Blanks Invites, he wrote songs together with other artists while filming the full process. Guests included Sheppard, Alfie Templeman, Dayglow, San Holo and Benny Sings. His YouTube channel eventually grew to over one million subscribers.[14]
In 2016, De Wit participated in Giels Talentenjacht, a Dutch talent competition that challenged emerging artists to write original songs.[15] Out of more than a thousand applicants, his then-band reached the final 25.[16]
Blanks
Since 2019, Blanks has released his own music. His style blends indie pop with retro influences and an optimistic, melodic sound. His debut single Don’t Stop was playlisted by NPO Radio 2, and in July 2019, his follow-up single Wave was named 3FM Megahit, with Blanks selected as 3FM Talent. For 3FM Serious Request in December 2019, he wrote the theme song Everything’s Changing.[17]
In January 2020, Blanks was named Best Artist at Popgala Noord, organized by Eurosonic Noorderslag.[18][19] His planned U.S. tour was cancelled after one show due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.[20]
His single What You Do to Me was released on 12 February 2021 and chosen as Harde Schijf ("Hard Record") by Radio 538.[21] His debut album Nothing Lasts Forever and That’s OK followed in October 2021.[22][23]
In January 2022, he performed at Eurosonic Noorderslag and won the Music Moves Europe Award (formerly EBBA).[24] That same month, his song OK to Cry from his album was named 3FM Megahit. During the summer of 2022 he played several festivals, including Paaspop and Concert at Sea, and later that year toured the United States with St. Lucia.[25] He also appeared in season fifteen of the TV show Beste Zangers.[26][27]
In January 2023, Blanks returned to Eurosonic Noorderslag.[28] Throughout 2023 he toured the Netherlands[29] and Europe,[30] and released his EP And So It Begins.[31] He closed the year with a performance for 3FM Serious Request in Nijmegen.[32]
In 2024, Blanks collaborated with Hungarian artist Azahriah, performing together in Budapest.[33] Later that year he toured with his band across the United States, Europe and the Netherlands.[34]
In March 2025, Azahriah and Blanks released their single Don’t Be Afraid, which entered the top 10 in Hungary.[35] In June 2025, he released That’s What I Love About You, marking the start of a new musical chapter.[36]
Songwriting and production
Alongside his own releases, De Wit writes and produces for other artists. His credits include Stukje Van Mij by MEAU[37], Atlas by Pommelien Thijs[38] and Nog Even Blijven by MEAU & Douwe Bob[39].
In 2024, Het beste moet nog komen by Pommelien Thijs — co-written and produced by De Wit[40] — won the MIA for Hit of the Year. Stukje Van Mij won a Buma Award in 2025.[41]Atlas broke the Belgian chart record in 2025, becoming the longest-running No. 1 single in the history of the Ultratop 50.[42]
Entrepreneurship
De Wit is co-owner of the independent label Excited About Music,[43] which achieved its first Dutch Top 40 entry in 2021 with MEAU’s Dat heb jij gedaan.[44] Together with his management team, he co-founded 97PM, an artist-management company representing acts such as MEAU, jet van der steen, Isabel van Gelder and Jack Shore.[45][46]
In 2022, the label Excited About Music (Simon de Wit, Marcel Duzink and Pieter Kleinhout) received the STOMP Young Achievement Award.[47]
In 2023, De Wit appeared in the Dutch feature film Goodbye Stranger.[48]
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