Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City. She has been writing songs and lyrics since the age of 13, began playing the saxophone in elementary school. While attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts she became interested in jazz. After high school she attended The New School in New York City. Her beginnings in music were Latin dance music, she played salsa and merengue. Benjamin has performed on four continents, for President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration, and with Clark Terry, Reggie Workman, Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin, and James Blood Ulmer. She started the band Soul Squad to showcase her compositions. As a touring musician she has performed with Missy Elliot and Alicia Keys among others.