Stefanie Bennett
Stefanie Bennett is an American freestyle dance and Latin hip hop music singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, and choreographer. A native of New Jersey, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Rider University/Westminster Choir College. A well-received and respected entity in the music industry, Bennett is no stranger to success, and has stolen the hearts of dance music fans around the world. She writes music mostly from personal experiences, creating heartfelt and evocative lyrics, driving melodies, and thumping beats to get you singing along and moving. Her ethereal blend of sound achieves the delicate between vulnerability and strength. She is most at home on stage. “She has a magnetism and stage presence you cannot help but be drawn to,” said a writer from Dance Music Authority. “You can tell she loves what she does. Her energy is infectious!” With her catchy vocal sound, passion, and experience combined with insinuatingly pop hooks that “grab on” and won’t let go, as well as her down to earth, relatable, honest persona for her craft and care for her audience are just a few reasons why her legion of fans have never abandoned her. She truly is an artist for the people.
EARLY CAREER: Bennett developed a passion for music at an early age. Her mother and father met in the early 70s and played in a band together. She recalls sitting on the floor as a young girl, watching the band practice and her dad teach piano lessons. Driven to share her passion for music with the world, Bennett stepped out into the Philadelphia dance scene with her crew in the early 90s to perform and was eventually recognized by a local label. She went on to release multiple projects with Hot, Metropolitan, Universal, and Sony (between 1991 and 2012). Bennett is best known for dominating the mixtape culture in the early 90s with tracks like “Getaway,” “Don’t Let Me Go,” “Show Me The Way,” “I Want Your Love,” “Never Too Late,” and “Swing My Way.” She continued to write and record and was featured on national and international compilation albums. With songs like “Too Much Too Late,” “Don’t Take Your Love Away,” “Angelo,” “Take Me Higher,” “Crazy,” “Fallin',” & “Ooh La La La.” Her entire song catalog was compiled into a full-length album “Freestyle Diva” (2000). Early on she was inspired by Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, and Lisa Lisa, to name a few. At the age of 15, Bennett won a contest at a local teen club performing, “Because Of You” by The Cover Girls and, at that moment, she knew she wanted to be a recording artist.
ENDEAVORS: Bennett has shared her voice and passion everywhere, from intimate venues to football stadiums. Her music is supported by the Latino community and Anglo radio stations across the U.S., Europe, and South America, alongside artists such as Shannon, Stevie B, and Trinere. She shared the stage with awarded artists, including Judy Torres, Safire, George Lamond, Crystal Waters, Lil Suzy, 2 Live Crew, Rob Base, DJ Laz, LL Cool J, Tito Puente, Jr., and more. The late 2000s brought “Can U Stop The Rain,” “I Miss You,” & “This May Be Love.” At this time, she signed on to front the electro-beat outfit known as, Paradigm.
In 2018, Bennett, embraced the business side of music and formed her own Publishing Company, SBeezy Music, and an independent label, Fienx Recordings, with the following releases: (in descending order) “Call Me Broken,” (2023) “Cupid’s Arrow,” (2023) “Butterfly,” (2022) “One Last Breath,“ (2022) “Giddit,” (2021) “Heart On The Run,” (2021) “Against All Odds," (2020) “Unlovable,” (2019) “Shine,” (2018) and “Dreams of You,” (2018). These maxi-singles were multi-genre, radio and deejay friendly, and accompanied by professional music videos and vinyl.
She works very hard at her craft and has discovered her own unique style and brand over the years. Some of her colleagues refer to her as the “leader of the new school” and an artist who has helped bring the genre back into the forefront. She is currently in the dance studio rehearsing for upcoming gigs and in the recording studio working with Edwin Ramos on a pop dance version of the rock ballad, “Alone,” by Heart. It is slated for release in the of spring 2024. Destined for success on mainstream radio, digital download sites, streaming platforms and dance floors nationally and internationally.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Bennett celebrates being the opening act for Destiny's Child in El Paso, (1997); landing on the Billboard Dance Chart at no. 15 with, “Back 4 My Love,” (2000); headlining the Texas State Fair (2010); being a featured performer at the “Party of Dreams Tour 2" in Brazil (2019); Phil Collins responding to her dance/pop remake of his classic ballad, “Against All Odds,” with this quote: “great job kiddo," (2020); and her feature on Lil Eazy's—NWA's Eazy E's son—record, “Naxolone” (2023).
DANCE: Her choreography can be seen everywhere from club gigs, music videos, concerts, competitions, NBA, NFL, MTV Jams, and Q102 Radio Station Annual Jingle Ball. She was a featured dancer on Dancin’ On Air, One House Street, and Dance Down. She also formed the tri state area’s dynamic dance troops; The K.O. Girls & Assault with A Deadly Step. For over 20 years, Bennett has shared her passion for hip hop dance with the youth as a dance teacher. She remains a member of International Teachers of Dance (ITDI) and Dance Masters of America (DMA).
PERSONAL INTERESTS: Here are a few fun facts about Stefanie Bennett aka SBEEZY: favorite color is green; favorite food is Mexican; favorite drink is a margarita; enjoys live music and comedy shows, documentaries, scrapbooking, spending time with her two amazing grown daughters, Breezy & Boosh, mentoring the youth, volunteering, Autumn, island getaways, lowrider car shows, mariachi bands, collaborations, nature, health & wellness, listening to classical music, football and being in love!! Favorite quote: "stay ready so you don't have to get ready!" Vamos a trabajar! xo
SET LIST FOR 2024 {"EARLY 90'S ALL BANGER SET"]
- Passion
- Shorty
- Set U Free
- Show Me The Way
- Never Too Late
- Against All Odds
- It Feels So Good
- Fantasy
- Swing My Way
- I Want Your Love
- So Tell Me, Tell Me
- Don’t Let Me Go
- Getaway
