Dsg Jack: Hi, I'm Dsg Jack and today I am sitting down with my mentor benrodz for his 2021 interview. So Ben, how are you doing today?

benrodz: I'm doing well bro! thanks for asking, i'm off work today so i'm feeling really good. :joy:

Dsg Jack: Haha, yeah that sounds great. A nice break from responsibility. So lets start off with something simple. Who would you say is your favorite artist?

benrodz: Definitely. Looll. Ooh bit of a tough one, but I'd have to go with NF. most of y'all reading this prolly already knew that tho :joy: :joy:

Dsg Jack: Haha, I think we all assumed with your pfp and header image. Do you have any big projects your currently working on?

benrodz: Hahaha, yeah i'm kinda easy to figure out who i steady rock with :joy: . Currently aside from work that is, I'm working on the Clеan-Up Championship with you and @Isaiah_131, I'm also currently working with the amazing @charityspicer and somе others on revamping Christian Genius. Other than that, mostly just day to day stuff.

Dsg Jack: Ahh yes, The Fresh Prince Squad shall prevail, unless we fall to @ScopeY and the KSI squad. How long have you been on Genius?

benrodz: Hahaha, I definitely hope so! S/O the GOAT @ScopeY and his awesome squad! I've been on Genius for a little over three years

Dsg Jack: Man, thats a long time! 3 years is almost the amount of time I've been in highschool! All jokes aside, with your vast amount of experience on this site, what are some recommendations you have for people wanting to get more involved or even become an editor?

benrodz: Hahahhaha. Ahh man great question. I would say first off just be yourself, definitely finding and dedicating time to a passion, e.g. your favorite artist or whatever it is. Also the Get Involved! series is a great way to get involved with the community, even though i'm wayyy behind in participating, work's been keeping me pretty busy :joy: . As far as becoming an Editor goes, first make sure you're open to any and all advice, and secondly, apply any advice you receive to your tates, and also don't be afraid to message an Editor or Moderator asking if either they or someone else can help mentor them. But the most important is just making sure your work is the best it can be, even after becoming an Editor, how you take and apply advice to your work is very important .

Dsg Jack: Man, you would make a good mentor! Now, important question. If you had to pick your favorite tate you've EVER made, what would it be and why?

benrodz: Hahaha, well my mentees would definitely be able to testify to that fact :joy: . Oooh very tough choice, it would have to the cove art annotation I did for Tenth Avenue North's album The Struggle, why? because it was the first ever cover art annotation I did, it also won me my first ever WAC badge :https://genius.com/album_cover_arts/26432, I'm also just super proud of how well it turned out. I've always kinda struggled with seeing my annotations as good, but this one will always hold a special place in my heart. Plus the painting it refers to is amazing!

Dsg Jack: That annotation is so good!! Are there any plans in the future or goals you have on site?
benrodz: Hahah thank you soo much bro! Definitely man, I really wanna become a Moderator, everyone prolly already knows this, I've been wanting to become one for the past year and a half, but no one has really reached out to me about it.

Dsg Jack: Hey, now is the time and you got what it takes! Well if you have some closing notes for the reader?

benrodz: Hahaha, thanks man! Definitely bro. Man I don't even know how I've made it so far on Genius, something I've always said and will continue to say is always be yourself no matter what anyone says and don't be afraid to launch into different genres that you normally wouldn't work on. Also just constantly grind and your work and dedication will show to people, find a niche for yourself and stick to it, never give up and keep on pushing even if you don't think that people aren't rooting for you or supportive of you or your work.