A widely respected DJ and record producer, John "Jellybean" Benitez has overseen operations at Jellybean Music Group since 1981. Jellybean Benitez stays active in the music industry and maintains membership in the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), which helps musicians come together to fight for fair pay and dignified working conditions.For decades, the AFM has helped musicians organize and leverage their collective power to fight against unfair working conditions. This is especially important for musicians, who often are not considered employees from a legal standpoint and therefore face unique obstacles in their struggle to improve labor conditions. The need to organize is exacerbated by current threats to musicians’ income, such as outsourcing and low compensation for streamed content. However, musicians can use innovative strategies to mobilize their network and obtain union contracts, which are legally binding and carry more weight than individual contracts. Once musicians secure a collective contract, they can continue to organize to implement contract campaigns prior to the expiration of agreements they fought hard to obtain. By continuing to use innovative techniques and collaborating with labor organizations, musicians can strengthen their community and build momentum to bring about change and improve working conditions for colleagues throughout the country.
Based in New York City, John “Jellybean” Benitez is the executive producer of Studio 54 Radio, a commercial-free Sirius XM channel that pays tribute to the legendary club of the 1970s, Studio 54. Jellybean Benitez also serves as the president of the Jellybean Music Group, which produced records for Madonna and Whitney Houston, among others, and he has been partly credited with the rise of Freestyle music. Even though the disco trend died in the late 1970s, music lovers continued to go out on the weekend and started dancing to a new style of music known as Freestyle. Influenced by boogaloo, Freestyle evolved from hip hop in the Bronx in the early ’80s and was completely synthesized. The new artform was the perfect alternative to disco. One popular Freestyle club was the Fun House, where club-goers would dance from Saturday night to noon on Sunday morning. The club was known for playing the sound of the street, unlike other concert venues that focused on popular music, though the Fun House also attracted curious A-listers who stopped by to see what the fuss was about. Freestyle also had a direct influence on Madonna, whose fame rose out of the movement. The Fun House closed in 1985, but it is still an infamous and crucial part of the evolution of American pop music.
Holder of a degree in marketing from Baruch College, John "Jellybean" Benitez is an accomplished music producer who serves as executive producer and mix show DJ for Sirius XM's Studio 54 Radio. In addition to his endeavors in radio, Jellybean Benitez has worked with prominent musicians such as Beyonce.A 22-time Grammy Award winner, Beyonce is one of the biggest stars in the music industry and is apparently considering pursuing a major business interest. According to a Bloomberg News report, the Single Ladies singer is interested in purchasing a share of the Houston Rockets National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise. The team's current majority owner, Leslie Alexander, announced in July that he would be selling his share in the team which, according to Forbes, is worth $1.65 billion. He purchased his stake in the team for $85 million back in 1993.Beyonce was born in Houston and, according to her mother, Tina, it would be a perfect fit. Should Beyonce purchase Alexander's interest in the team, she would join a growing list of musicians who own shares of valuable sports franchises. Justin Timberlake owns a stake in the Memphis Grizzlies, while Usher is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Her husband, Jay-Z, was a minority owner of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets from 2004 to 2013.
One of the most famous DJs and music producers of the 1980s, John "Jellybean" Benitez now serves as president of Jellybean Music Group in New York. Over the years, Jellybean Benitez has worked with many acclaimed musical artists, including Madonna and Whitney Houston. In addition to his wealth of music industry experience, Mr. Benitez studied marketing at Baruch College in New York City. Baruch College earned a spot on Forbes’ list of Best Value Colleges in 2017. The list contains 300 schools that Forbes considers worth the investment, based on tuition and earnings following graduation, among other factors. In determining the rankings, Forbes searched for schools that can deliver a significant return on investment. Among the 300 schools on the list, Baruch College ranked above schools such as Boston University, George Washington University, New York University, and Carnegie Mellon University.Forbes’ list is part of a growing trend to assess schools based on both academic excellence and value. Baruch College also received recognition from The Princeton Review on its list of Colleges That Pay You Back.
Since 1981, John “Jellybean” Benitez has served as the president of Jellybean Music Group in New York. Actively involved in his professional community, Jellybean Benitez is a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).In an April 21 ceremony, SAG-AFTRA renamed its membership center in honor of Ken Howard, to recognize his vision and efforts in bringing SAG and AFTRA together. The Ken Howard Membership Center serves as a resource where the union’s members can use computers and learn about SAG-AFTRA events.Howard passed away in March 2016 while serving as the first elected leader of the new joint organization. In addition to leading the merger of the two organizations, Howard was passionate about supporting members and mentoring young people.SAG-AFTRA dedicated the center to Howard in a ceremony at SAG-AFTRA Plaza attended by his wife, Linda Howard, and several SAG-AFTRA executives, including President Gabrielle Carteris, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, and Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin.
A DJ and remix artist who launched H.O.L.A. (Home of Latino Artists) Recordings, John “Jellybean” Benitez released his first album, Just Visiting This Planet, in 1987, and then produced two more albums, Jellybean Rocks the House and Spillin' the Beans. As a professional musician and entertainer, Jellybean Benitez maintains membership in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).Having recently celebrated the five year anniversary of its merger, SAG-AFTRA continues to fight for the rights of media professionals across the country and throughout the world. The organization also works with local, state, federal, and international governments to increase protection for its members.In addition to these efforts, SAG-AFTRA also helps to empower its members on the grassroots level. Through MOVE (Members Organizing Volunteer Efforts), the union encourages solidarity among professional artists and performers in order to help maintain the highest standards for its members.MOVE also offers a variety of educational programs for and through its members. These opportunities include professional training, forums, and networking events.
