John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez is quite simply a dance music superstar. Entertaining his family and friends on a turntable as a kid, a DJ straight away that knew how to grab people’s attention musically by reading the crowd instantly – he just got it. And for that we give you a massive high five John. Thank goodness then, for not staying in and watching Starsky and Hutch in the late Seventies on the TV on a weekend night and instead deciding to pop your head inside The Sanctuary club in New York’s Manhattan and witnessing a DJ mixing two records together – and then knowing where your future lay…oh, and he remixed my favourite record ever, ‘Flashdance’ by Irene Cara’…
Hi dude, so, a big tune coming out – Jellybean featuring Chi-Town fly diva Carla Prather – ‘Secret & Lies’ with Scott Wozniak and Guy Robin on remix duties…talk us through the track…
“Well I have been working on this track for a year. I got too close to it I suppose in a way. It was like I was remixing myself, tweaking it and tweaking it – and then I sat on it for a while and then I grabbed two great New Yorkers in Scott and Guy – and wow, I never thought we’d get this reaction with the record. It has just taken off.”
So a hard start to your world. Your mother moved from Puerto Rico in the early 50s to the South Bronx, New York City. It sounds though that you were brought up in a beautiful music household, who you were all grooving to back then?
“It was a haven of Motown, Salsa and people like Latino Joe Cuba – the father of Latin Boogaloo.”
It’s strange when your father meets someone really cool before you in clubland. You met my father Tony Prince in a nightclub once upon a time in New York with a then very young girlfriend, Louise Veronics Ciccone – the world now knows her as Madonna. did you know she was gonna be a superstar?
“Ha ha – I remember that night. At the time I was just a club DJ and suddenly started seeing disco records crossing to radio. Girls like Gloria and Donna going into Pop. Then came Madonna’s ‘Holiday’ which I produced, I sort of knew she was going to big from there. Can I also say that walking onto the stage at The Royal Albert Hall at the DMC Awards in the 80s to pick up my award was one of the best moment’s of my life, which I will never forget.”
Thank you John.
You have worked with so many superb artists along the way under your Jellybean Music Group umbrella, people like Darryl D’Bonneau, Quentin Harris, Marlon D, George Mena, 3 Amigos, Ruben Mancias, Kenny Bobien, Abicah Soul, Jovonn, DunnEasy, Pulse plus many more artists such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, George Benson, Billy Joel and Hall & Oates – who really blew you away with their vocals?
“I was blown away working on Whitney Houston on ‘How Will I Know’ and also ‘Love Will Save The Day’ that featured Roy Ayers.
You have lived the life of music. More than any of us can ever do. So…
An album you would never sell?
“I guess, ‘Love Is The Message.”
A musician’s voice you will never forget?
“Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye.”
The best nightclub you have ever played at?
“FunHouse, New York – early 80s.”
Favourite artists you are into at the moment?
“I am really into the new Sade album, really feeling that.”
What New York DJs have you rated over the past decades?
David Mancuso, Tony Smith, Danny Krivit -all New York legends – and from the new breed, the Martinez Brothers without a doubt.”
What is your favourite decade of music?
“Ha ha. The 70s Dan. All about the Soul.”
What one person, dead or alive would you like / liked to get in the studio and work with with?
“Marvin Gaye”
If you had to choose, who would you have round for dinner, Puerto Rica’s Irena Cara from ‘Fame’ or Puerto Rica’s Ricky Martin?
“Ha ha – Irena Cara definitely.”
Best city you have ever played at worldwide?
“New York. Every time”
Next up also from Jellybean alongside ‘Secret & Lies’ is his 3 Amigos outfit ft. Susu Bobien ‘You Bring Me Joy’, Jellybean, Marlon D and George Mena getting ready to set dancefloors alight with their epic new slice of monstrous house. This is proper house music, right here, right now…
‘You Bring Me Joy’ is out on March 15th on Jellybean Soul (USA)
