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Daniel Zildjian Garon Benitez (born April 23, 1997), popularly known through the mononym Zild, is a Filipino musician, producer, and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist, pianist/keyboardist, and bassist of funk rock band IV of Spades. As a solo artist, Benitez released his first album, Homework Machine, in 2020, and has since recorded three more albums. His latest album, Superpower, was released on August 9, 2024.

Personal life

Zild Benitez is the son of Frank Benitez, the former drummer of Hungry Young Poets and Barbie's Cradle. He graduated at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Production.

During his childhood and teenage years, he became a commercial model for various brands in the Philippines, including Lucky Me! Pancit Canton, Coca-Cola, and Nido. He also had a cameo role in one of ABS-CBN's primetime like "Got to Believe".

Career

IV of Spades

In June 2014, Allan Mitchell Silonga decided to form a band for his son Blaster, who would become the band's lead guitarist. The Silongas were able to recruit drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zildjian "Zild" Benitez, who are the sons of Allan's friends. Unique Salonga, Benitez's churchmate who was already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer.

The band later signed to Warner Music Philippines and released their first single "Ilaw sa Daan".

On 2018, IV of Spades won the New Artist of the Year and the MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year and Nominated as Group the Year at the annual Myx Music Awards. The band also won the Dreams Come True with Air Asia, the airline's search for the most promising acts in the region. The band performed with David Foster as part of their prize. They also won the Favorite New Group award at the 30th annual Awit Awards.

Before their dissolution, Benitez handled the responsibility of lead vocals after their former lead vocalist Unique Salonga who left to pursue "personal endeavors". Months later, the band released their debut studio album, ClapClapClap!, on January 18, 2019.

Manila Magic

Benitez is also a member of electronic pop duo Manila Magic, with Tim Marquez of One Click Straight.

Solo career

On August 13, 2016, Benitez joined a music competition named "Music Hero" in the noontime show Eat Bulaga!. He originally won the "Bass Hero" title, but due to IV of Spades' rise to fandom, he and his bandmate, Blaster Silonga, who also won the "Electric Guitar Hero" title, left their titles and gave it up.

On June 12, 2020, Benitez released the music video of "Sinungaling" on YouTube. Few weeks later, he also released "Dila", along with its music video on July 9, 2020. On August 6, 2020, he released his debut solo album titled "Homework Machine". It features "Sinungaling" and "Dila" which were released beforehand. In the same year, Benitez signed an artist management contract with Rico Blanco's management label Balcony Entertainment.

On February 10, 2021, Benitez released the music video for his song "Kyusi" on YouTube. Weeks later, he released "Apat" on February 25, he also revealed that "Kyusi" and "Apat" would be part of his upcoming album titled "Huminga", which was released on April 8, 2021. That same year he featured with Ben&Ben and juan karlos on the track "Lunod"

In August 2022, Benitez officially signed with UMG Philippines through its division Island Records Philippines. That same month, he released his first single for his third album Medisina, "Isang Anghel", which was followed by "Duwag" in September. The following month, Medisina was released alongside its third single, "Duda". In 2023, he featured with juan karlos on the track "Gabi" on the former's album, Sad Songs And Bullshit Part 1.

In June 2024, a fourth album was announced, followed shortly by the release of its first single, "Segurista". Its second single, "Lia", was released on July 9, 2024. The album, "Superpower", was released on August 9, 2024.

Discography

Albums

As a solo artist

with IV of Spades

Singles

as a solo artist

as a Featured Artist

with Manila Magic

with IV of Spades

Music videos

Accolades

References

1. Regis, Ralph (April 30, 2021). "Music Production alumnus Zild Benitez reminds us of the world outdoors with 'Huminga'". The Benildean. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
2. Gloria, Gaby (October 21, 2017). "IV of Spades is ready to boogie". Youngstar. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
3. Fernandez, Denise (December 1, 2017). "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band". Scout Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
4. "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band – Scout Magazine". December 1, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
5. "The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx | BusinessMirror". businessmirror.com.ph. March 22, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
6. "IV of Spades to continue without vocalist Unique Salonga". GMA News Online. May 5, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
7. Bernardino, Stephanie Marie (May 5, 2018). "Unique Salonga leaves IV of Spades". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
8. "Scout Friday Picks: Manila Magic". Scout Mag. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
9. Bandwagon (June 12, 2020). "Zild Benitez drops surprise track, 'Sinungaling' – watch". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
10. Bodegon, Kara (July 9, 2020). "Zild Benitez releases new single 'Dila' for those who "can't keep their mouth shut" – watch". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
11. Fallore, Renuel (August 6, 2020). "IV OF SPADES' ZILD UNLEASHES SOLO ALBUM 'HOMEWORK MACHINE'". Retrieved August 6, 2020.
12. Bodegon, Kara (February 9, 2021). "Zild shares new "childish and funny" single, 'Kyusi' – listen". Retrieved February 10, 2021.
13. "zild on Twitter: "new single "Apat"..." Zild on Spotify. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
14. Fallore, Renuel (January 18, 2019). "IV OF SPADES Debut Album 'CLAPCLAPCLAP' Has Arrived!". Myx. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
15. "Zild - sinungaling". YouTube. June 12, 2020.
16. "Zild - dila". YouTube. July 9, 2020.
17. "Zild - habulan". YouTube. August 6, 2020.
18. "Zild - alalahanin". YouTube. September 12, 2020.
19. "Zild - takbo ng panahon". YouTube. October 3, 2020.
20. "Zild - Luha Ng Lupa". YouTube. November 20, 2020.
21. "Ibang Planeta - ZILD (Music Video)". YouTube. January 2, 2021.
22. "Zild - Kyusi (Official Video)". YouTube. February 10, 2021.
23. "Zild - Apat (Official Video)". YouTube. February 25, 2021.
24. "Zild - Bungantulog (Official Video)". YouTube. March 18, 2021.
25. "Zild - Huminga (Official Video)". YouTube. April 8, 2021.
26. "Zild - Hele (Official Video)". YouTube. August 14, 2021.
27. "The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
28. "7th Wish Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
29. "Moira, SB19 win big in 7th Wish Music Awards". ABS-CBN News. January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.

External links

• Zild Benitez on Twitter

• Filipino rock musicians
• 21st-century Filipino male singers
• Filipino songwriters
• Living people
• ABS-CBN people
• 1997 births
• Singers from Manila
• Warner Music Philippines artists