- Years Active: 1987-2001
- Genre: Rock & Alternative
- Followed By: Laz Torres
Few who listen to the Top 40 smash hits he's produced may recognize his name, but chances are, anyone who's listened to the radio over the past 20 years has hummed along to one of Jellybean Benitez's melodies. Jellybean's list of credits include Sheena Easton, Debbie Harry, and Whitney Houston, among others, and in a world as fickle as the dancefloor, Jellybean has not just survived, but thrived over the past 20 years. Born in the Bronx, Jellybean was a student of the disco sound, studying the records released by Casablanca and other labels that released lushly orchestrated dance music. After being intrigued by a local DJ spinning two turntables, Jellybean himself decided to try it out and soon was an in-demand DJ known for his masterful manipulation of breakbeats. His reputation led him to be paired with a young singer from Detroit named Madonna and it was Jellybean who orchestrated the sound of the Material Girl's earliest hits such as "Borderline" and "Lucky Star." After his name was bandied about the industry, Jellybean used the renown to launch his own recording career, beginning with his debut Wotupski EP. He has since gone on to score Hollywood soundtracks such as Carlito's Way and Mi Vida Loca. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide