John Benitez, widely known by his stage name Jellybean, was born on November 7, 1957, in the vibrant South Bronx neighborhood of New York City. He possesses an unparalleled talent as a musician, songwriter, DJ, remixer, and music producer. With Puerto Rican heritage flowing through his veins, Benitez has left an indelible mark on the dance music scene.

His illustrious career includes producing and remixing some of the biggest names in the industry, including the likes of Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and the Pointer Sisters. His magical touch can be heard on Madonna’s iconic tracks such as “Burning Up,” “Borderline,” and “Lucky Star,” as well as her breakout hit “Holiday,” which soared to international success. Billboard magazine recognized his immense contributions, ranking him as the 99th most successful dance artist of all time in December 2016.

He made history by becoming the first DJ to appear on the pop chart as an artist when his single “Sidewalk Talk,” written by Madonna, reached the top 20. Benitez secured an impressive nine recordings in the top ten of the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including three number-one hits. His debut album “Wotupski!?!” was highlighted by four top-20 singles in the UK, solidifying his status as a global sensation.

Benitez established Jellybean Productions, Jellybean Soul, and Jellybean Music Group. He also founded H.O.L.A. Recordings (Home Of Latin Artists), an independent Latin label focused on developing bilingual hip hop and R&B artists, releasing music in both English and Spanish. Recognizing his groundbreaking contributions, Benitez was rightfully inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005, a prestigious accolade honoring his significant impact on the industry.