What scene, if any, do you feel like you’re a part of now? Who do you see as your peers?

I exist in this place of Atlanta up-and-comers. The Tony Shhnows and Bear1Bosses. We’re all around, running into each other, doing shows. We’re all friends. When everyone starts moving, it’s, “That’s my homies doing their thing.” Existing here, I’m embedded with the Atlanta main scene. Everyone who’s next up, I’ve worked with them directly or we’re a person separated, type thing.

Rod Wave was my one big industry credit, but even that was because I was doing my thing in Atlanta. When he first got signed, someone at his label was like, “Hey, come through.” I’m not thinking anything, but then I go, and it’s a life-changing thing. Getting to work with him—he’s kinda anti-social and picky with producers. Because I went to that session in 2018 after work, even years later, he’s asking for beats.

Who is an artist that you feel is a touchstone for the music you make now? As in, without this artist, there’s no Benny?

Definitely Pharrell, ‘cause that’s a model for my whole career. He wasn’t limited. He’d produce for Snoop, Britney, Janet Jackson, JAY-Z. Anybody who’s cool? We can find some type of middleground. On top of that, he and Chad Hugo are some of my favorites in production style. I’ve been really studying their production in recent years. It’s that, “less is more,” but it has to work.

Are there any artists who have told you that your music has inspired or influenced them or who you view yourself as a mentor of?

I’ve gotten it a pretty good bit! There’s been a lot of that in-person. I appreciate it, but I’m just a guy, chilling in my room. So to hear those words in real life, that is really cool.

Who is another artist working today that you see as kindred in spirit artistically and who you want to put on right now?

It’s Bear1Boss! Knowing him, he wants to be the old school idea of an artist. In-ear earpiece, full rehearsal, all-encompassing artist. He wants to make the absolute best, coolest music.

Popstar Benny

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