Name: Layla Benitez
Occupation: DJ, producer
Nationality: Puerto Rican-British, Miami-based
Recent Release: Layla Benitez teams up with Eynka for their new single "No Place To Go,” out now on Interstellar. Catch her live on one of her 2024 Summer dates:



If you enjoyed this Layla Benitez interview and would like to stay up to date with her music and current live dates, visit her on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.  



Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in DJing?

Definitely, yes. My father is DJ Jellybean Benitez. So I was surrounded by music from the day I was born. I was able to go with him when he was DJing from the age of 10 to certain clubs and events as long as I stayed in the DJ booth. I’m sure that wouldn’t be allowed anymore, I imagine times have probably changed since then.

So some of my earliest memories are watching him perform and hang out with his friends in the industry scene.

I have always loved club music, but I was not initially a dancer very much. What was this like for you? How does being – or not being – a passionate dancer influence the way you deejay?

I have always loved to dance. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily a good dancer, my sister was blessed with that gene. I think when I first started I was extremely self conscious of the way I moved, because I’m naturally very shy. But it took the joy out of it.

After years of reaching a sense of comfort, I just move in whatever way I feel. It feels good to be free and not care, and I’ve become a better performer because of it.

How do you approach digging, what are you looking for, and what were some of the best finds of the past few weeks for you?

Well I’m constantly looking at promos, Soundcloud, and the Beatport charts. I would say that’s where I discover a majority of my music. Otherwise going out and listening to artists that inspire you live can also be a great way to find new music.

Right now I’m loving “Reality” by Ruback, and “Siren Echoes” by 19:26.



How does the decision making process work during a gig with regards to the inclusion of key records, the next transition and where you want the set to go? How far do you tend to plan ahead during a set?

For each set, it’s different. I’m always trying to play my own new music to test to see how it sounds and if it's ready. I would say around 50% of the tracks I’m selecting to play is my own production.

For example my new track “Easy” coming out on Friday on Zamna Records, I definitely play in every set.

Do you engage with audiences/dancers - and how? Taking one of your online DJ mixes as an example, how does the experience and the way you deejay change when you subtract the audience?

I would say subtracting the audience takes the joy and connection out of it. I am massively honored when people come listen to me play, and I try to show that.

As I said before, I’m super shy so it took me some time to get to this place, but I decide what to play next based on the energy and response from the crowd, so without them it feels not authentic.

Collaboration is a key part of almost every aspect of music making, but it is stil rare in DJing. Do you have an idea why this is? Tell me about your own views on back-to-back DJing, interactions with live musicians or other forms of turning DJing into a more collective process.

I think by nature humans are competitive. Which is very sad when you think about it … I think some of my best work has been collaborating with other amazing artists in this industry, such as Eynka for “No Place To Go”.

I think in general, working as a team forces us to see the flaws in our own work, and learn from it. I feel it makes you a better artist.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

Of course, I’m always wearing earplugs whenever I’m around any sort of loud music. I know many people who suffer daily from Tinnitus in the industry.

I have been trying to train myself to mix while wearing earplugs. It’s still difficult for me, right now I take them out during transitions and end up losing them every week.