Just Jase: *ahem*

Thank you for joining me here this lovely Wednesday afternoon. How ya doing today, Ben?

BenRodz: Hahah, no problem homie.
I'm glad we finally got a date figured out. XD
I'm doing well man, thanks for asking.

Just Jase: No problemo. Me too. I've been looking forward to this since @blazifyy revamped it.

Now, I understand you took an unexpected hiatus due to the rona. Would you like to share briefly what happened?

BenRodz: Awesome, and yeah I was super excited when I found out that @blazifyy had revamped this amazing idea! Yeah man, so what happened was back in March Covid-19 was spreading out into the States, and so my local Library had to close due to that. So I didn't have any access to Genius or any of the other platforms that I use except for Twitter, I managed to log into Genius on Mobile a few times, but it kept giving me a hard time and then it just stopped working. So I relied on Twitter and you to inform on what has happening on Genius and what music was coming out.

Just Jase: That's intense, man. Yeah, Genius is a lot for a mobile browser. It's very limited in what you can do. Makes sense though. Web editing is almost always done on a computer.

I was glad to be able to keep in touch with you during that time. Then I could share updates to that thread you created. Talking with you really helped my summer.

I know we've talked about this one-on-one, but do you feel like you're pretty much caught up with everything since your unexpected hiatus? What did you do while you waited for your local library to reopen?

BenRodz: Yeah it was, I'm usually pretty patient about stuff, but let me tell ya, that really tried my patience. :D
Yeah it's soo much easier to do Genius stuff on a Computer than it is a phone.

And thanks homie, talking with you really helped my summer as well, it also really helped me to get to know you better. I feel like out of everyone that I've ever talked to and come close to on Genius, I've become the closest with you. We have soo many things in common and you're an amazing person, so yeah being able to talk to you really kept me sane during my rona hiatus.

Sure thing bro! I feel like I'm about 95-99% caught up on everything that dropped during my vacation.
And good question man, honestly I dug through my collection of movies and TV Shows and found some stuff that I hadn't been able to watch before, because I was super busy. I also bought quite a bit of stuff from my local Walmart, I bought some movies and some shows that I remembered watching as a kid, so it was super cool to be able to relive that experience once again.

Just Jase: I totally feel ya. I only check messages on my phone unless there's something urgent, like creating shell pages for a new tracklist or something. Even then, I try to do as much as I can on a computer.

Me too, bro. I remember you as the whitehat who had NF's "WHY" single art as your profile picture and was asking me the correct way to format things on the site. I knew it wouldn't be long before you'd trade your white hat for a yellow one. :)

What would you say are your top favorite things you found over the summer? It could be new music or movies that recently came out or discovering/rediscovering older things. In either case, each has a freshness to you now.

BenRodz: Exactly the way i feel about it homie!

Wow, hahaha, you just brought back some memories from my early Whitehat days, I love NF, I'm sure anyone who knows/follows me has already picked up on that, to this day whenever he drops something new i change my pfp to whatever it is he dropped. whether it's a single or an album. lol

And thanks bro, you really helped me out a lot as a Whitehat, you explained so much to me, and you were always patient, so I'm forever grateful for that! (You always had faith in me too, so I greatly appreciate that as well!)

Wow, another good and kinda tough question. Some of my top favorite things that I found/bought over the summer were Justice League the complete series, the Justice League movie, Birds Of Prey the movie, Sonic The Hedgehog, I also finally managed to complete my MCU collection, I now have all Marvel movies on DVD, so I was super happy about that! And thanks to you, I got soo much into TWENTY ØNE PILØTS discography, so I went out and bought Blurryface on CD, I've played that CD so many times, it was sooo good!

I also bought The Animaniacs (i hope i spelled it correctly, lol) the complete series, so it was good to be able to relax and watch some toons, I think that's about it, I bought sooo much over the summer though, so it's hard to remember everything. :D

Just Jase: Yeah, man. That was forever ago. I think the first thing we worked on together was stuff for KING & COUNTRY's burn the ships album. Good times.

I'm so glad we share some of our favorite artists. NF is in my all-time top three artists. Still waiting on his next track. It's been so long since PMD.

No problemo, man! You're a super cool guy. I'm so blessed to have met you, granted we haven't done that in real life (yet). I look forward to that day.

I'm so glad you like TØP. They're another one of my top three. They have a unique sound that changes with each song. Blurryface is awesome. Vessel is my personal favorite of theirs.
You're so much better at checking things out than I am. I FINALLY finished The Office this summer, but Justice League is always good and Animaniacs is a classic in toons.

Now that you're back on Genius, what projects are you excited to get back to working on? Are you working on any new projects?

BenRodz: Yeah I think you're right, as a matter of fact, if it wasn't for you entering that for KING & COUNTRY contest, i never would've made a Twitter or Instagram account, so thanks for that!

Oh yeah, NF will forever be one of my all time favorite artists, he's a GOAT! I know bro, same here, he keeps teasing new music, but he hasn't dropped anything yet. Yeah I was surprised to find out how many of the same artists we like, lol. :))

Thanks homie that really means a lot to me! And same here bro, I can't wait ‘till we're finally able to meet in real life.

Yeah man, they're sooo dope!!!! I think what's soo dope about them is that they mix genres and they don't fit into just one category, they fit into several and with each album/single they release they always do something new, so I've become a huge fan of their work! And yeah man, Blurryface has become one of my all time favorite albums, it's definitely something I could listen to over and over again and never get tired of it!

Hahah, thanks homie, yes, Justice League was one of my favorites growing up as a kid! :D

Yes and yes!! For the people who don't know, when @Amaury was around on Genius, he started this shell page where he would list all of the dope new Christian music that Spotify puts into a playlist, so I got the idea from him to start a thread series, which I did! I did it for quite a while, but then I got too busy and it sort of just drifted away, but when I came back to Genius, I wanted to revamp it, so I asked the awesome and amazing @charityspicer if she would be down to co-host the thread series with me, and she was, so each week me and her will be taking turns posting New Christian Music Friday (Spotify).

And I'm sooo hyped for Friday, Lecrae's new album Restoration comes out and so does Jon Keith's new album Anti-Hero, so I'm really looking forward to working on those projects. And KB's gonna be dropping his new album in September, so I'm super excited for that, it's definitely one of the albums I want for my birthday. KB's the GOAT!!

And not really, if I see a song/album that I really like and it's not on Genius, then I'll add it and scribe it, but other than that, not very much.

Just Jase: That's still a lot though. A whole album can take a while, especially when it comes to rap. Revamping the New Christian Music Friday playlist with @charityspicer is awesome. @eth3792 did a great job with it when he was doing it. I'm glad you're bringing it back.

I hear ya, man. There's so many great stuff coming our way. I've become less of a Lecrae fan in recent years, but hearing his singles from Restoration is making me excited for it. And KB is always fire. I love his stuff. Love his sound and lyrics. So great in every way.

Let's get to know you a little bit outside of the music side of you that most people know. What do you like to do when you're not on Genius besides binging awesome shows and movies? Do you have a sport or anything local you're involved in?
BenRodz: Yeah it is, thing is though, I don't look at it as work, it's something I really enjoy doing, so that helps.
And yeah man, thanks! @eth3792 still posts the guide every now and then, so I'm thankful to him for that!

Yeah bro, sooo much dope stuff has dropped this year, I don't know if I'll ever fully catch up on every single thing that's released this year! Yeah I remember you telling me that homie, but Restoration is gonna be insanely good, it's gonna be a classic!!

And yeah man, KB is sooo awesome, he never disappoints, that's why I'm soo excited for his new album to come out!!

Alright then, no I don't have any sports that I'm involved in, but because I live in Housing and I don't have a job (yet) I have to do community service, so there's this really cool place called The Bluebird Market close to where I live and I go there and help out, it's a super dope place, they get all kinds of antiques, Media, toys, and all that other dope stuff, so I really enjoy helping out over there!!

Even if I didn't have to community service, i would definitely still go and help out over there, it's such an amazing place, and the people there are awesome!!!

Just Jase: That's so awesome, man! I'm glad you're a part of that! I'm sure they really appreciate your help.

Are you doing/looking at going to college?

BenRodz: Thanks homie, I appreciate that!!
And yeah they do, I'm just glad to be able to help out!

And currently no I'm not doing College, I'm thinking about maybe possibly in the future, looking at going to some kind of Community college, but I'm not 100% sure about it just yet.

Hey bro, I've got to go now, if you have any more questions, I'll be able to answer them tomorrow.

Just Jase: Cool, cool, man. Part Two comin' soon!

Take care and keep being awesome, man!

BenRodz: Awesome, I'm looking forward to it!
And thanks homie, you too!!!Just Jase: aaaaaand we're back, Internet, bringin' you part 2 of this interview!

Ben, how are you doing today?

BenRodz: I'm doing really well homie!

Just Jase: Awesome! What's your day look like today? Anything exciting you're doing?

BenRodz: Nothing really bro, just chilling and watching the music video for "Stick" by Rockstar Jt. :))

Just Jase: That's cool, man. There's so much great music that just came out. I've been listening to NEEDTOBREATHE's Out of Body a lot since it came out.

BenRodz: Yes there is!!! And bruh, I love Out of Body by NEEDTOBREATHE, I put it on the other day and song after song was sooooo good, it's easily one of the best albums of 2020, as well as my favorite album from them!!

Just Jase: Yeah! It's so great! It was worth the wait. Since the music industry has started to come back after COVID hit (more music is coming out, concerts are starting to come back, etc.), where do you think it will go on from here?

BenRodz: Definitely worth the wait bro, "Who Am I" hits sooo hard.
And yeah man, it's definitely making a big comeback after a slow period of time. Aw man, great question, I think more and more artists are gonna be releasing new music, especially with everything that's going on in the world right now, something we can all really use is some encouraging music and we're getting it! When the pandemic first started, I was like, man there probably won't hardly be any new music this year, but there's been a lot of really dope new releases, and it's really turning this year around.

Just Jase: Yeah. "Who Am I" is my favorite track from the album. I had the honor and pleasure to 'scribe it. :D

Yeah. At first, I was super bummed. Then I saw artists like twenty one pilots make a song about the rona affecting the music industry, namely live concerts. Then tobyMac pulled an Andy Mineo and released a bunch of demos in his free time. I saw that Andy recently said that he is prepping to drop his next EP soon. WIP delayed it, then COVID, and then BLM. While those are all understandable things to halt releasing music on, I'm ready for some new Andy after his single with nobigdyl.

BenRodz: That's awesome bro, congrats!! And yes mine too!!

Yeah man same here, but then like you said all these dope artists started dropping new music and it really kept me sane and really helped me get through the whole rona thing. And yes!!! Andy Mineo x nobigdyl. drops tonight at 9 PM and I can't wait!!!! Bro, I lowkey can't wait for Andy to drop some new music, it's that time again!

Just Jase: Right! Me too! It's gonna be great!

I know we both met here on Genius due to our shared music tastes, but movies is another thing we have a lot in common with. Do you think they'll make a similar comeback from COVID?

BenRodz: Yes it is!!

And definitely bro, at first I was super bummed, ‘cause I was like with rona and everything we prolly won't get any new movies, but it's slowly but surely starting to work it's way back to what it used to be.
So yeah, I think they're definitely making a comeback!
I'm excited to see The New Mutants and Bill & Ted Face The Music as well as a few others that have come out/are coming out. :))

Just Jase: Haha. Oh, Bill & Ted. That's a movie. I liked the first one, but haven't seen the second one yet. I need to. I've heard good things about the third one. I don't quite yet know what to think about The New Mutants. Looks like a mess to me right now. I'm stoked for Tenet! I'm trying to rally a group of homies to go with me either to a pre-screening this week or a show this weekend, hopefully in IMAX.

BenRodz: I haven't really seen any of the Bill & Ted movies, it's just I've heard so much about them that I have to watch them. :))
And yeah I definitely know what you mean bro, I'd still give it a try, I try to do that with any movie, even if I think I won't like it, I'll still give it a chance, if anything it's an interesting topic to say you at least watched the movie. Aww bro, I am soooo stoked for Tenet!, it loooks soooo good! If I lived where you live at, you could count me in to go with you, but I don't unfortunately. I'm still stoked to see it, I hope they put it out on DVD.

Hey homie, I've got to go now unfortunately, so it looks like we're gonna have to schedule the remainder for another day. :)

Just Jase: I've seen the first one. It was good for what it was. It was funny at least.

Bro, that'd be so much fun! I'd totally be down for it. Warner wanted to release it digitally early like with SCOOB!, Bloodshot, Bill & Ted Face the Music, but Nolan insisted it have a theater release. Bill & Ted released both in theaters and on demand simultaneously, but Nolan is a hardcore theater guy. He won't let that fly. I get that though. Movie theaters have been on a decline for a while, and he's trying to save them because films are made for the theater, not TVs and iPhones. They're completely different experiences, especially with all the audio work he does with his films.

Shoot-dang. Third and final part coming soon!

Take care, bro!

BenRodz: Looking forward to it bro!!
And thanks man, you too!!BenRodz: I'ma start off by answering your last message about SCOOB! and the other stuff.

Just Jase: Besides Genius projects, are you working on anything? Any personal projects?

Okay, haha!

BenRodz: Thanks homie, I appreciate it!
I bet a lot of people would have wanted them to release it early on digital, since a lot of people are still at home and since a lot of theaters aren't open yet.
I don't blame him for wanting to release it in the theaters, he's worked so hard on it and it's been delayed soo many times, I can understand why he wants it to strictly be theaters. And yeah man I totally feel you there, watching something on a phone or a tablet isn't the same or as good as watching a movie on a big screen or on your own T.V. And yeah man, he puts a ton of work into his movies!

And at the moment the only thing I'm really working on in real life is my driving skills.
I also made a promise to @xMERLYN last year that I would buy/watch every single Star Wars movie that has come out, so I'm trying my best to keep that promise. And I'm also looking forward to September 22nd, not only is it the first day of fall, but it's also my 21rst birthday, so I'm really excited for that.

Just Jase: Yeah, he's trying to save the cinematic feeling a film is supposed to bring, and I really appreciate that too. He's trying to save an industry. I hope music can get back to the same level when it comes to concerts.

That's awesome, man! There's always room for improvement when it comes to driving, especially if you're in an urban area. City traffic is nuts.

Cool! How is the Star Wars venture coming?

Ayy! Happy early birthday, bro! Are you going to have your first drink?

BenRodz: Exactly bro! And yeah man I really really hope concerts come back, ‘cause Drive In concerts at theaters are wayyy too much and just isn't the same as a real concert.
Thanks homie, yeah where I live at, most of the people act like they don't know drive, which just makes me feel better about myself as a driver, driving is kind of easy but it's also kind of difficult, but I'm getting the hang of it!
And lol, not too well so far, I've only gotten like one or two, but I'm working on getting the others A.S.A.P.
And thanks homie I appreciate that!! And nah, I don't drink, I don't wanna drink, I don't want the stuff around me or as a part of my life, so no I'm not going to have my first drink.

Just Jase: I totally agree, man. Drive-in concerts are a good segue into the return to in-person concerts, but nothing beats standing in the mosh pit.

You'll get the hang of it, man. Just keep practicing. The town I'm in right now is small enough to walk or bike around town. I have my own car, but I end up riding my longboard most of the time. When I get back behind the wheel, I sometimes feel like I need a refresher course. XD

It's all good. It's a big series. What order are you watching them in? By release or chronology? Or are you following an order? XD

There's nothing wrong with that, man. I understand. My family has a bad history with alcohol, so even I'm hesitant when it comes to things like that. Are you doing anything else big to celebrate?

BenRodz: You got it bro!! Plus you can't be close to the stage, buy merchandise, or even meet the artists and talk to them and get a picture with them.

Thanks homie I really appreciate that, lol, that sounds like the kind of place where I should be living at. XD
And yeah I totally get what you're saying bro!

And yeah, I'm gonna watch them in chronological order, I feel like if I tried to watch a newer one, that there'd be spoilers in there and also some stuff that I'll have missed out on.

And thanks for understanding bro, yeah it's just something I don't want a part of, you see too much stuff happen because of it, so I prefer to stay away from it.

And at the moment, I really don't know, I'm hoping to go to some places and look at stuff and go somewhere to eat, but I don't know right now. :))

Just Jase: Yeah, no, it's nuts. Just think about all the artists who do things like spray water bottles or throw food into the crowd. XD

Yeah, man. No problemo. You got dis. :)

There's so many different ways you could watch them. You know me. I watch them in release order. With Star Wars, I guess it's easier to do chronologically since it's one big arc with lots of smaller stories, compared to the MCU, which jumps around with several different characters. You'll have to bring back your movie reviews once you get a chance to finish them.

It's all good, man. Stay strong in your convictions. That'd be fun! You'll get it figured out.

Hey, so this has been awesome! We tackled a lot of different topics. So, before we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to share with the Genius community?

BenRodz: Lol, that's something I never thought of before homie, but you're 100% right!
Thanks man! :))
And yeah exactly bro, I try my best to always watch movies in the order that they came out, ‘cause if I don't then they'll say something in the movie that I don't understand, and I'm like, that's what I get for not watching them in the order they came out. XD

And I'll definitely have to do that homie, S/O to @slightly_senile for inspiring me to do my own movie reviews, and S/O to you for getting me into so many more different movies than I ever would've imagined that I'd like and watch.

Thanks homie, I appreciate that!! And yeah, can't wait for that day to come. XD

Thanks bro, it has been amazing, even though it got split up into three parts because of my schedule and also because of your schedule, this is everything I hoped for and more! I've always wanted to be interviewed, so I'm sooo glad that @blazifyy brought it back!!

And I guess the only thing I wanna share once again, is how passionate I am about Genius and the amazing people on here, I've had my share of differences with people here on Genius and I've gotta say that those differences just served to make me better as an Editor and better as a person, there are definitely times when I come across people that I used to talk to a lot and since then I've lost contact, and they don't seem to be too interested in what I do either. And that leads me to believe that I did/said something to them to make them mad at me and decide not to follow me or even talk, so I just want to say to anybody who reads this, if I ever did/said something wrong that offended you or made you mad at me, I apologize, that was definitely not my intention. I've always said that I consider Genius my second home and the amazing people on here my second family, and I say that because that's how I feel, so keep on being amazing everyone! And oh yeah, I really would like to become a Moderator one of these days, but no one's expressed any interest/care in that, I just hope one day that it could become true for me. But that's all, thank you for everything you do homie, ever since the first time i messaged you, we've just gotten closer and closer, and you're genuinely one of the best people I've ever had the privilege of talking to, both on Genius and in real life, keep on being amazing bro!

Just Jase: Thanks, bro! I really do appreciate that! I'm blessed to have had you reach out to me to start our friendship. It's been awesome to see you start as that little whitehat with NF's single artwork for "WHY" as your profile picture to the yellowhat that's been in the talks of becoming purple. You've been a great help to everyone you've come into contact with, and it's evident in your energetic personality. Thank you for everything that you do. I look forward to the day we can officially meet in person. And, above all else, keep being awesome. :)

BenRodz: You're welcome bro!!
And oh yeah, the good old NF profile picture days. XD And thanks homie, I really hope to get my name in purple one day!! :))
And thanks man, I really do appreciate that, I just try my best to help out, and you know maybe sometimes I try too hard, but I'm dedicated. And thank you homie, I look forward to that day as well!!
And you too man! :))

Just Jase: :D