John "Jellybean" Benitez
| John Benitez | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Jellybean |
| Born |
November 7, 1957 South Bronx, New York, United States |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Freestyle, electro-funk, house |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, musician, producer |
| Instruments | Drums, Guitar |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Labels | Jellybean Music Group Chrysalis/EMI Records EMI Records |
| Associated acts | Madonna, Whitney Houston |
| Website | JellybeanBenitez.com |
John Benitez (born November 7, 1957), also known as Jellybean, is an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, DJ, remixer and music producer of Puerto Rican descent. He has produced and remixed artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and the Pointer Sisters. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked him as the 99th most successful dance artist of all-time.
Benitez's mother moved from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s to the South Bronx section of New York City. She raised Benitez and a younger sibling as a single mother. He grew up enjoying music, usually listening to his sister's record collection. His sister Debbie, nicknamed him Jellybean as his initials are J.B. and from the expression "Know what I mean, Jellybean?" Benitez attended De Witt Clinton and John F. Kennedy High Schools, but did not graduate.
He relocated to Manhattan in 1975, attending disco nightclubs, which sparked his interest in becoming a disc jockey (DJ). He worked at a nightclub called Experiment 4 & Electric Circus. In 1980 Benitez enrolled and attended Bronx Community College, where he studied Marketing and Sales Promotion. Benitez worked as a DJ at Electric Circus, Hurrah, Xenon, Paradise Garage and Studio 54. In 1981, he was hired as the resident DJ at Funhouse. He hosted a weekend dance radio show at WKTU.
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