John Benitez (born November 7, 1957), also known as Jellybean, is an American musician, songwriter, DJ, remixer, and music producer. He has produced and remixed artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and the Pointer Sisters. He was later the executive producer of Studio 54 Radio. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked him as the 99th most successful dance artist of all-time. Life and career Early life Benitez was born in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City, the son of Puerto Rican parents. After his parents divorced, Benitez and his younger sister Debbie were raised by their mother, who worked in the executive offices of Sloan's supermarkets. Benitez grew up enjoying music and would watch deejays at local clubs. Benitez borrowed his sister's record player and practiced on two turntables. His sister, nicknamed him Jellybean as his initials are J.B. and from the expression "Know what I mean, Jellybean?," he said. Benitez attended De Witt Clinton High School and John F. Kennedy High School, but did not graduate. He would skip school and play at hooky parties. When a neighbor paid him to play at a Sweet 16 party, he realized he could have a career as a deejay. Music career In 1976, Benitez got a weekend job deejaying between salsa bands at a club called Charlie's in the Bronx. He convinced the owner to open a non-alcoholic dance club, and he used the live audience to experiment on. By this time, he was kicked out of school for truancy. Benitez wanted to move to Manhattan, so he worked at a club called La Mariposa in Washington Heights. Then he switched to the Experimental Four club in Midtown Manhattan. In 1978, Benitez was making $100 for a four-night week when he moved to an apartment on the West Side of Manhattan. After earning a high school equivalency diploma, Benitez enrolled at Bronx Community College as a psychology major and took voice and diction classes. In 1979, Benitez worked back and forth between Manhattan and Long Island. He worked seven nights a week at Hurrah, and Le Mouches in New York City, Club Marrakesh in Westhampton, Blue Cloud in Southampton, and La Falafel. Between 1976 and 1980, Benitez also played at New York New York, Studio 54, Le Jardin, and the Grand Ballroom. He eventually settled at the Electric Circus and Xenon in New York City. In 1981,