{{short description|Filipino singer-songwriter, musician and producer}} {{Philippine name|Garon|Benitez}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Zild Benitez | image = Zild Benitez IVOS 2025.jpg | caption = Benitez in 2025 | birth_name = Daniel Zildjian Garon Benitez | alias = Zild | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1997|4|23}} | birth_place = Quezon City, Philippines | genre = {{hlist|Alternative dance|OPM|psychedelic pop|soft rock|synthpop}} | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer-songwriter|Producer}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|bass|guitar|piano|keyboards|synthesizers}} | years_active = 2014–present | associated_acts = | label = {{flatlist| * Warner * Balcony Entertainment * Island * UMG }} | current_member_of = IV of Spades }}
'''Daniel Zildjian Garon Benitez''' (born April 23, 1997), mononymously known as '''Zild''', is a Filipino singer-songwriter, musician and producer. He is best known as the co-vocalist, pianist, keyboardist and bassist of the rock band IV of Spades, who went on an indefinite hiatus in 2020 and returned in 2025. As a solo artist, Benitez released his first studio album, ''Homework Machine'', in 2020, and has since recorded and released three more studio albums. His latest studio 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.<ref name="The Benildean">{{cite news |last1=Regis |first1=Ralph |title= Music Production alumnus Zild Benitez reminds us of the world outdoors with 'Huminga' |url= https://thebenildean.org/2021/04/music-production-alumnus-zild-benitez-reminds-us-of-the-world-outdoors-with-huminga |access-date=July 12, 2023 |publisher=The Benildean |date=April 30, 2021}}</ref>
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=== {{main|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.<ref name="Youngstar1">{{cite news |last1=Gloria |first1=Gaby |title=IV of Spades is ready to boogie |url=https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |agency=The Philippine Star |publisher=Youngstar |date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308164808/https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |archive-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Scoutmag">{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Denise |title=Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band |url=https://www.scoutmag.ph/music/iv-of-spades-denise-20171201 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |publisher=Scout Magazine |date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>
The band later signed to Warner Music Philippines and released their first single "Ilaw sa Daan".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scoutmag.ph/music/iv-of-spades-denise-20171201|title=Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band – Scout Magazine|date=December 1, 2017|access-date=July 18, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/the-boys-of-iv-of-spades-get-into-the-myx/|title=The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx {{!}} BusinessMirror|website=businessmirror.com.ph|date=March 22, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/652354/iv-of-spades-to-continue-without-vocalist-unique-salonga/story/|title=IV of Spades to continue without vocalist Unique Salonga|website=GMA News Online|date=May 5, 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=July 18, 2018}}</ref>
Before their dissolution, Benitez handled the responsibility of lead vocals after their former lead vocalist Unique Salonga who left to pursue "personal endeavors".<ref name="Unique">{{cite news|last1=Bernardino|first1=Stephanie Marie|title=Unique Salonga leaves IV of Spades|url=https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/05/05/unique-salonga-leaves-iv-of-spades/|access-date=May 5, 2018|work=Manila Bulletin|date=May 5, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331105624/https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/05/05/unique-salonga-leaves-iv-of-spades/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scoutmag.ph/music/scout-friday-picks-manila-magic-scout-20170630|title=Scout Friday Picks: Manila Magic|work=Scout Mag|access-date=July 18, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Solo career=== thumb|Benitez in 2024 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
On June 12, 2020, Benitez released the music video of "Sinungaling" on YouTube.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bandwagon |title=Zild Benitez drops surprise track, 'Sinungaling' – watch |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/zild-benitez-iv-of-spades-drops-surprise-track-sinungaling-watch |access-date=July 26, 2020 |date=June 12, 2020}}</ref> Few weeks later, he also released "Dila", along with its music video on July 9, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bodegon |first1=Kara |title=Zild Benitez releases new single 'Dila' for those who "can't keep their mouth shut" – watch |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/dila-zild-benitez-iv-of-spades-warner-music-philippines-2020-listen |access-date=July 26, 2020 |date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> On August 6, 2020, he released his debut solo album titled "Homework Machine".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fallore |first1=Renuel |title=IV OF SPADES' ZILD UNLEASHES SOLO ALBUM 'HOMEWORK MACHINE' |url=https://myx.abs-cbn.com/features/25557/iv-of-spades-zild-solo-album-homework-machine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913083658/https://myx.abs-cbn.com/features/25557/iv-of-spades-zild-solo-album-homework-machine |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 |date=August 6, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bodegon |first1=Kara |title=Zild shares new "childish and funny" single, 'Kyusi' – listen |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/zild-benitez-iv-of-spades-releases-new-single-kyusi-new-album-2021 |access-date=February 10, 2021 |date=February 9, 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/zildbenitez/status/1364146295405826049 |website=Zild on Spotify |title = zild on Twitter: "new single "Apat"...|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> 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== {{Main|Zild Benitez discography}}
{{For|Zild's discography with IV of Spades|IV of Spades discography}}
=== Solo === <!--Studio albums only. Everything else should go on the discography page.--> * ''Homework Machine'' (2020) * ''Huminga'' (2021) * ''Medisina'' (2022) * ''Superpower'' (2024)
=== With IV of Spades=== * ''CLAPCLAPCLAP!'' (2019) * ''Andalucia'' (2025)
==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" !Award !Year !Category !Recipient !Result ! class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" | Myx Music Awards | rowspan="4" |2021 | Rock Video of the Year | "Dila" | {{Nom}} | |- ! scope="row" |New Hue Video Music Awards |Music Video of the Year |"Lia" |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cerezo |first=Anna |date=July 27, 2025 |title=Bini, Maki honored at New Hue Video Music Awards |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/7/27/bini-maki-honored-at-new-hue-video-music-awards-2334 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728000126/https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/7/27/bini-maki-honored-at-new-hue-video-music-awards-2334 |archive-date=July 28, 2025 |access-date=July 28, 2025 |work=ABS-CBN News}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="5" | Wish Music Awards | Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year | "Sinungaling" | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees |url=https://www.wish1075.com/6th-wish-music-awards-nominees/ |website=Wish 107.5 |date=October 23, 2020 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030020331/https://www.wish1075.com/6th-wish-music-awards-nominees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Zild | {{Won}} |- | 2022 | Wish Song Collaboration of the Year | "Lunod" {{small|(shared with Ben&Ben and Juan Karlos Labajo)}} | {{Won}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=7th Wish Music Awards: Official List of Nominees |url=https://www.wish1075.com/7th-wish-music-awards-nominees-official/ |website=Wish 107.5 |date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115042223/https://www.wish1075.com/7th-wish-music-awards-nominees-official/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Moira, SB19 win big in 7th Wish Music Awards |date=31 January 2022 |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/31/22/moira-sb19-win-big-in-7th-wish-music-awards |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| 2025 | Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year | "Segurista" | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |title=The Nominees For The 10th Wish Music Awards|url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/news/sb19-bini-maki-and-more-lead-10th-wish-music-awards-2025-nominations/ |website=Billboard Philippines |date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2025}}</ref> |- | Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year | "Medisina" | {{Nom}} |- ! scope="row" |Filipino Music Awards |2025 |Alternative Song of the Year |"I.N.A.S." |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web |last=Basbas |first=Francesca Judine |date=October 22, 2025 |title=Here Are Winners Of The First-Ever Filipino Music Awards — Updating List |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/news/filipino-music-awards-winners-list-sb19-cup-of-joe2025/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=Billboard Philippines}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{twitter|id=zildbenitez|name=Zild Benitez}}
{{IV of Spades}} {{Filipino Music Awards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benitez, Zild}} Category:Filipino rock musicians Category:21st-century Filipino male singers Category:Filipino songwriters Category:Living people Category:ABS-CBN people Category:1997 births Category:Singers from Manila Category:Warner Music Philippines artists Category:Awit Awards winners