REN - Illest of our time - Cedric and Brian Reaction

[@CedricandBrian]

LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RING that bell and SHARE our channel…(and Ren)…with everyone you know. Give us a follow on Rumble, Facebook, and IG.

[@sketchtherapy1218]

I think I found the root of "The Illest" : "Want to sink into the pupil* of my eye Travel to the corner of my cornea** and mind Look for all the answers*** that I never seem to find Till then, I guess I’m still the illest** ** of our time" think about it "ill be the illest (till i find) the answer I'm looking for...?" like he doesn't want to be the illest if he was the greatest he would never want to stop being the greatest but he isn't claiming to be the greatest just the "illest" till he finds the answer? The answer*** he is looking for is a cure to Lyme Disease until he finds it he is the illest** ** of our time but he'd rather not be, he'd rather cure Lyme Disease. None of his treatments make sense there's no plan the'yre just trying stuff on him, even now in Canada there's no long term plan & goal (he said it in a video) it's all pretty much experimental. He has to study what he has seen done to him he is the pupil* (student) of his eyes travel through the light in the darkness he's been through. The cornea** (The transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside.) But what do you think? is this about the cure? about having a plan for people like him? about him being the only one that can find a method through the madness for people like him? I don't think anyone else can save them I think it is set in stone he has to be the illest to cure Lyme Dissease or at least develop a treatment that makes sense Blessings from Puerto Rico

[@sketchtherapy1218]

He says at the start it's a trip into his mind in his mind is the light and the dark sin and divine because of freewill Screech and Ren don't take the bars from the dark side too seriously it's just him using it constructively.

[@sketchtherapy1218]

Mercury is a heavy metal, heavy metal is a type of music.

[@mraxzotb]

What's the music in your intro called?

[@vickyterry3150]

@@sketchtherapy1218 Another side of that bar: the ancient Roman god Mercury is the god of communication, eloquence and messages.

[@IronRaspberry]

Ren would see people wearing animal masks during episodes of psychosis. He explains it in the about section on his website, which reads like a medical report.

[@zachhenderson7982]

Didn't know that. I'll check his site out. Been listening to him for years, but only through KZbin and Spotify.

[@JonNo86]

On his last Livestream on twitch he said the masks have a very personal meaning to him but he has not and will not disclose their meaning because he loves to hear people's interpretation of what they mean to them.

[@IronRaspberry]

@@JonNo86 I get that it’s a personal meaning for him and open to interpretation, but I was stating what he himself stated on his website.

[@MikeB12800]

He was speaking about the pig on the livestream. Not necessarily the pig mask or the other masks, just what the pig represents because Knox was wondering about it.

[@IronRaspberry]

@@MikeB12800 Yup, seen that too :)

[@johnnyeproductions]

Found you guys because of Ren. I am also chronically sick and a musician myself. It has hit me in ways I cannot describe. He is a musical, lyrical genius hands down!

[@CedricandBrian]

So glad you found us Johnny, and keep pursuing your music with a passion my friend. You are in our thoughts 🙏🏽. - C -

[@johnnyeproductions]

@@CedricandBrian I appreciate it! I am doing the same as Ren, just trying to make the best out of a very shitty situation!

[@salishseamermaid]

"Heavy like Mercury..." Mercury is also a heavy metal on the periodic table. 😊

[@janebird723]

He's probably detoxing heavy metals as part of his healing journey.

[@salishseamermaid]

@@janebird723 good point.

[@madcat528]

REN is so intelligent and amazingly talented!

[@CedricandBrian]

He definitely is!! We appreciate you watching our channel. - C -

[@craigevans8912]

100%

[@kungfo3054]

Tbh I love the fact that you guys stop the video to voice your opinions cause you’re expressing how his music makes you feel, which shows authenticity. I subbed because of your reaction to Rens music, but I stayed caused you two have have great chemistry and understanding of the human condition. You can pause as many times as you like in and musical breakdown and I’ll thoroughly enjoy it cause I’m a connoisseur of peoples opinions whether or not I agree with them.

[@cockneycharm3970]

Spot on. Same here 🙂

[@analisasmith7927]

Ren (you tube): Overhwlemed by the amount of support for illest Of Our Time. Have been loving watching all the reaction videos and hearing everyone's interpretation. I never usually break down my own words because I love letting people apply their own meaning, but there was one line I wanted to explain. The title of the song. Alot of people took this to mean "The greatest Of Our Time" "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find, Till then I guess I'm still the illest of our time" Its my reluctance to be the illest - the clue is in the word 'guess' - ive spent the better part of a decade looking for solutions to the damage lyme disease dealt with countless doctors visits, and am still in that boat. "Illest" can also mean "dopest" "best" etc. So it's a bit of a double entendre. Same as "Sick boi" This theme is repeated with the line "elementary dear Watson you might find" cause Sherlock Holmes was always searching for the clues to piece the puzzle together, which is very relatable when trying to piece together parts of a very complex health picture, anyone with a very complex illness will relate to almost having to become your own detective. And finally "A pathologic entity - if eveything is set in stone then this is how its meant to be" Acceptance that this might just be the cards I've been dealt. To search for answers and simultaneously accept that chronic illnest may be your fate is a bit of a paradox because it is the rejection of acceptance that spurs you forward in the persuit of answers, but it is the acceptance that you may always be sick that let's you lead a more peaceful life... so one must walk this contradictory line between both opposing states to have the motivation to find the answers whilst not being so outcome dependent. Still haven't mastered this, but think it's an interesting concept

[@derekcartner4826]

Ren, thank you for your incredible insight and the music you are producing. it's helped me immensely, after losing my 22 year old son. I realise you feel the pain of losing a close friend and my son was my best friend. Take care and best wishes for your bright future!

[@sammyd8860]

Ren has actually provided clarification of the meaning behind his lyrics on Facebook - he rarely does this as he usually prefers to let listeners make up their own mind. I am guessing that people unfamiliar with his story will have heard this purely as a hard braggadocius track, but he meant it primarily as a reference to his health (but with the obvious double-entendre as well)

[@PDXmaker]

Yes, illest is definitely a double entendre - “sick little puppy” … “I don’t feel so well, call a medic for myself”… talks about his brain damage from Lyme (won ton soup for brains)… “depression is a blessing in disguise, never second guessing intuition getting wise”… and mentions how he is sick and “coughing” while putting us in our “funeral coffin” with his bars. Like Sick Boi, his lyrics hold a lot of double meaning!

[@jant9254]

Ren is just creative chaos, never know what's next ❤❤

[@aniafromlondon]

And he has ADHD

[@DeathUnicorn1]

When he says "I'm the type to kill a pacifist" I feel like he means his music educates people and makes them no longer want to be passive about situations. Could totally be my own interpretation on the lyrics though.

[@johnnyeproductions]

No shame in crying brother! I am 43 and I have cried more than I'd like to admit to music!!!

[@nataliemarshall7158]

In fact it’s unhealthy to repress our emotions so cry as much as you need to. ❤

[@amandacollins2854]

Rens favourite book is Animal Farm by George Orwell , which usually has a pigs head on the cover and represents the world and its politics, through animals . Ren has used other animal heads in his passed work.

[@bpankey1976]

Ren is a big Clockwork Orange fan & George Orwell's Animal Farm book. You can see the homage in this video

[@martinrobinson936]

The phrase “ travel to the corner of my cornea and mind. “ is also interesting, as the cornea is round, unless you look deep inside and look at the internal angle of the cornea and the iris. Also the mind has no corners but maybe if you look deep enough you may get answers….

[@TwistedPixie69]

Hi Cedric and Brian!! You would have to go through the video a few times to catch everything. We need more truly talented people like Ren. Most just regurgitate what a team has to come up with. Have a great weekend everyone!!

[@Biempje]

Love your great comments on this brilliant video!

[@jclarke8849]

Lovely double meaning 'I'm a sick little puppy who gets lucky when he speaks', Lucky also being a popular dog treat.

[@4colors4life]

Y'all need to check out his song Losing It

[@Agispsi]

He starts the song by calling himself a sick puppy, I'm always surprised people miss that setting up that this entire song is about him being sick and still fighting to be the best. The side of him acting like he's the best is a character, his truth is in the hidden meanings. A spoonful of sugar, I'm merry like poppin. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Because he's sick. So many references you'll catch if you approach the song from that light. Great video though.

[@VideosbyLisaLisa]

I never even considered a double for when I heard "A spoonful of sugar, 'cause I'm Mary, like Poppins," but merry like poppin' works also. 😎

[@craigevans8912]

Guys you caught so so much on a first reaction, I’ve watch many times now and still catching things.. the guy is one of if not the cleverest writers, producer and artist out there 🤯

[@abnormaltexan]

Jenny was the pacifist screech killed. Ren wrote the song hence he killed a pacifist. He references a lot of his other songs and this one is all about what is going on in his head

[@deafheaven99]

The link between depression and art is well documented. I always think about this when I listen to Ren.

[@ChristineP-qp6vn]

Not just art but leaders i.e. Churchill, and scientists like Einstein

[@TheChristafershawn]

The animal faces are referencing "Animal Farm" by George Orwell.

[@lillyvanpug]

I think the "kill a pacifist" line was still referring to Screech being so far from help, that he actually killed Jenny who was a pacifist

[@dgl6641]

Dear god is an absolutely amazing song as well!!!

[@lizzymoore54]

While REN has been ill for most of his life, he has had time to watch many movies and read many books, articles, watch many music videos and movies ( as well as his travels for health reasons ), he has taken all these references as lyrics. He can spit out bars that we can relate to, making him feel like “ home “ and this is what makes him the “ illest “ of our time. Great review guys! 😊

[@dancerbird76]

Your reaction to Hi Ren was one of the first reactions I saw earlier this year - I’m new to reactions. Enjoyed watching you spotting the references and working out what Ren’s lyrics meant to you. That’s the beauty of Ren - so many double meanings. Loving all of the Illest reactions 🔥

[@fourcornersofbrighton]

Great reaction! Well worth waiting the extra day!

[@Lou-xq9br]

Great reaction as alway's ❣️ #Ren is 🔥🔥🔥

[@Rob-bt3ev]

Hope you check out Ren performing with his band The Big Push soon - I Shot the Sheriff / Road to Zion / Hip Hop mash up is a must see and is another side of Ren.

[@juliecooper-nm7cm]

Yes! Hard to pick a favorite of his busking vids, but if pressed I’d say this is the best.

[@po_xy]

"How many references can he do?" the answer is Yes XD

[@deifyingpariahs]

Finally someone said Spinal Tap.

[@frankensteinfpv]

He released it on his birthday for us...

[@rtuck2009]

"...sick little puppy who gets lucky when he speaks...." can also be translated into him getting treats, as a puppy would, when they execute properly. Very talented young man.

[@williamfulcher314]

Great reaction guys! To explain my favorite part 'ready? I'm heavy. I'm mercury, I am Freddie.' The element mercury, which is very toxic, is classified on the periodic table as a 'heavy metal'. Ren threw in a scientific bar too haha

[@ricksurratt9034]

Nice

[@bosbornefischer]

From way back in vlogs and essays, Ren has talked about things like our common humanity, and, to paraphrase, that the ultimate in success (and by extension, freedom) is to be connected to other people without having an agenda. A lot of his opposition to the Capitalism (see Money Game 1 and 2, and Dominoes) are because they cause separation instead of Community. Here, I think he's pointing out that Hierarchies of any kind are problematic for the same reasons.

[@ClearTheRubble7]

When Ren was saying "I don't feel so well," I was a little concerned that he was going to pass out before completing the song. I was relieved when he pulled through and started "spitting" again. 🌞

[@artemis2666]

Yesss! How did it take 6 days for me to know this existed. Def top 3 reaction channels. ❤ u guys

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you my friend; we truly appreciate that. Hope you get the opportunity to check out more of our content, and we look forward to hearing from you in the comment section on the future videos. - C -

[@butterflymama0838]

I just love this channel! You guys always make me laugh too! Great reaction guys!!

[@lizl2432]

Ren was bedridden from age 19-29 in and out of doctors for treatments for his misdiagnosis. So in that time he had a lot of time he had said he would study cellular biology trying to figure out his illness and that took him down many rabbit holes. So he is very well read, you can tell on psychology, biology, music, psychiatry, history etc.

[@SarahMartin-il3ul]

Keep doing what you do! Love your reactions!!

[@jonathanshoop8554]

Hey reactions are all about the "PAUSE" FRFR especially when you are catching the bars!❤

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you my friend, we appreciate that. Make it a great day and thank you for watching our channel. - C -

[@augusttexan4657]

My theory is the animals are referring to George Orwell 'Animal Farm'. Considering what the book is about I can see it having meaning in today's world. Then again I could be wrong.

[@theguywithabow]

Ren apparently saw animals in bouts of psychosis, so possibly referencing that...

[@angelaprzybylski1425]

His retake on losing it is a lot of references. He's lyrically a genius. I'm not much into rap but absolutely love him. He's the only artist I have multiple songs on my daily Playlist. Love yall reactions. Also if you do the song What you want is a nod to the Beastie Boys

[@kennethmichael5404]

Mercury as in the HEAVY metal, not the planet...at least that's how I understood it.

[@blackknight1013]

I've heard some say the masks are about hallucinations he has had, but I saw this and my mind said he got inspiration from Clockwork Orange and maybe The Purge. The imagery really does fit those two and I'd have to play the movie, but the siren sounds just like the one they sound at the start of the night and at dawn. Very similar at least.

[@chadUCSD]

Ren is a huge fan of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. He also uses that premiss in the video for his song Animal Flow, too. He's actually explained all of this in a few interviews with people from Justin (from the band The Darkness) to Knox Hill amongst others. That's where he takes a lot of the 'animal' influences from. He's also explained what the pig represents to him from videos like Hi Ren, this one and Sick Boi too in regards to the medical profession and some doctors etc. The interviews he's done up on KZbin are worth watching. He goes into a he'll of a lot of detail with each answer and shows just how clued up and smart he is, and also laid back and humble too. Should check some of them out of you haven't already. Take care 😉

[@AnyFuleKnoThat]

As always great reaction guys, Ren has made a post on his community page here on KZbin about the title of the song, looking forward to seeing more reactions from you, Peace and Love from England ❤

[@jaybee414-d1l]

Dude thank your dithing the sunglasses. People NEED now more then ever it's ok for a guy to be emotional. I'm a empathic dude myself and no matter how many people say it's ok to show emotion a certain way it's still nearly impossible to accept. People DO care and want to know ur reaction and aren't judging. We look to people brave enough to put themselves out in public who aren't afraid, whether it's a content creator or an artist like Ren. There's no other way to get past the stigma but men are struggling culturally because they don't think they can express themselves with honest emotion.

[@PeteFindsObscureStuff]

Great reaction brothers. You got a load of the references in this track. Apparently Ren's fav animal mask in this is the Pug!!

[@ernieburns1]

The pacifist was Jenny being killed.

[@NoraMorgan]

I was wondering about that!!! Glad to see someone else say it.

[@christinamc66]

Re hierarchy - the US is different from the system in the UK where we still have an aristocracy with the (now) King at the very pinnacle. There is no real way to become a part of, or to break through, that oppressive system.

[@clscragg]

I was waiting for this reaction 😊. 👋 from 🇬🇧 👋

[@rickyrazor8939]

I just want to say I’m not one hundred percent sure about REN’s case. However from my experience with my brother and his health issues. He couldn’t do much as far as living home, going outside, and all he did was play games and watch shows he watched so many it was hard to find himself he hadn’t watched already. Where as with Ren I definitely see him practicing on his guitar, writing songs, honing his talents because of his ambition to be the illest of our time… at least that’s my opinion.

[@HeidiSaid]

Thank You for the Beastie Boy reference! *Phew*

[@streetninjas313]

Awesome reaction guys and Brian is the first person I've heard to get the Spinal Tap reference buried into the Stranger Things scheme so very well done my friend!

[@markames6030]

Lucky is a doggo name. Iron lung is a device that helps you breath. Levels upon levels.

[@clscragg]

Developed in Aberdeen, Scotland 🇬🇧

[@suzannemurnane2714]

Bars, bars, and Fire 🔥! Ren did it again! Great Reaction for the best artist in not just independently but mainstream also! We all need to support this channel but for Ren esp. Spread his music and hit the like button. Total prodigy!

[@carmenhuyser808]

Love y'all catching them barz 😁

[@llSplice]

Great breakdown guys. You all caught a lot more bars than most.

[@brandonhall5615]

If you are afraid of being alone, there is something to be examined there.

[@CedricandBrian]

I don’t mind being alone. I fear being alone for eternity.

[@Julia-ov7zy]

"Spinal Tap" reference is something I would never spot, that's why I love your reactions!

[@annebiebrich9155]

It takes a strong man to cry. Weak men are "AFRAID " to cry

[@CindyBaucom-sb1hd]

❤❤❤ren❤❤❤

[@CedricandBrian]

❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽. - C -

[@azmod3ous192]

Ren actually said himself that the pig does represent something however he'll never reveal what it is because he wants people to interpret it for themselves.

[@khristianacampbell3356]

Animal Farm…. Spectacular literature!!! Definitely made a huge impression on Ren!

[@jkinney0420]

Great reaction fellas! Imo the video is a depiction of being inside Rens mind. He even says it, "take a trip inside the mind, of the illest of our time".

[@NilZed1]

I’ve been waiting for SOMEONE to connect ‘Turn it up to 11’ to Spinal Tap. You aren’t even the only old reactors I watch but you are the only ones to catch this.

[@jukeboxdave6026]

Great reaction guys love and respect from the UK 👍👍👍👍👍👍🌟😀😀 amazing channel 👍

[@cathryntruebloood3913]

I also have short term memory issues due to well life. anyhow I totally understand the need to stop and speak at that moment.

[@CedricandBrian]

Yes, I usually jot things down on our whiteboard, so I don’t forget them. Brian, on the other hand, just likes to interrupt me 😉😂. Thank you for watching our channel and make it a great day. - C -

[@tiffanyjackson-brooks]

Ren actually posted about the double entendre factor of the song title 5 days ago on his community wall. You were absolutely correct in the assumption that it referred to his battle with his illness as well. Just thought I would direct you guys to that, if you had not already seen it. You guys are awesome by the way, I very much respect how you guys gave a "Whosiehuhthehellisthis?" like Ren a chance to be someone that you guys do reaction videos to, because as we all know/are discovering, he's a talent that is rare and should be shared and respected, regardless of what your typical taste in music is. Because he basically is about every genre and style you could imagine, at one time or another. I'll stop rambling, thanks for what you guys do... Keep it up!

[@hazelcoggane6419]

I suffered for years with mental disability psychosis and muscle pain. With free healthcare in UK I thought I’d be looked after. Suicide at 14 then 25 then 39 I found out I had Asperger’s. Then later limes disease, However I still have no mental health care just pills I could say how many probably 50 to date. When Chinchilla said setraline on chalk lines I thought that was obscure drug. I nearly killed myself on setraline it made me fu……ing crazy. REN has opened my prison door ❤

[@majbrat]

So much 🔥

[@valeriemason2014]

Ren is a nerds dream when it comes to lyrics. He uses so many double entendres ......The 6/Catholic thing is because he even thought he may have a demonic reason for all the delusions when they couldn't diagnose him , also it's from the darkest of his illest mind and he was killing it!! Genius lyrics and freaking killer beat. Ya'll need to do LOSING IT. And don't worry about your pauses, you are really trying to get all of it and I like that.

[@wakjob961]

He's too good. Honored to have discovered him.

[@stevenwilson9579]

Im heavy like mercury.... I got the metal mercury from that with the fluidity in his words, his words coming down heavy and flowing. Mans blowing my mind. Great reaction btw. Sign me up.

[@mishimishmash]

I think the animals in the elevator represent the several aspects of his personality, him in all white as in a blank canvas, next moment he's standing there alone again (they are back inside the mind of the illest). Also: he was ( on and off) bed ridden for like 10 years, so that's where he had a lot of time to read and write.

[@GustafB]

Can't wait for you guys to react to Ren, Money Game part 1&2... That will be precious.

[@banzy3]

Alphabetti Spaghetti is a British alphabet pasta made by Heinz. I guess in the US you call it alphabet spaghetti or alphabet pasta?

[@Uniquely-Unoriginal]

Love the Beastie Boys reference at the beginning! ...and the end (da nuh da nuh nuh)

[@christilehman-starr4428]

Brian we live to see you cry your eyes red 🌺❤️‍🔥

[@Peter_Cetera]

Ren is the new king of Hip-Hop!

[@mercedeswarrenash5929]

The quadruple entendres so meta!

[@simplysimon9868]

Ren started with the beat then wrote the lyrics. He says he has a thesaurus in his head and I think he ripped that up 😄 Great reaction guys!! You picked up all the points he spits and switches.

[@rog2224]

He often references Shakespeare, and I think there's a slab of Milton (or maybe Dante) at the end.

[@sicmuvva11]

Love your reaction guys! Animal farm meets Prodigy???loved it!

[@waywest8138]

I feel you, Brian

[@TheShermanm4]

Love the reactions. By Ren please do "The Hunger." And then "Losing It." Both stellar.

[@richardlyons7582]

He nearly missed his premier of the illest of out time having treatment in Canada, On checking out the reactions on a live twitch feed he got quite emotional, on the amount of reaction that where already up and watched Konx hill reaction live and held his mates up waiting for him to go out on his birthday.

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

Within the first minute, he’s got references to: Sherlock Holmes, Freddie Kruger, Spinal Tap, Stranger Things, Mary Poppins, and Robin Hood.

[@cliffordhennings9787]

My thoughts on "4,5,6 spit a crucifix" This one seems to go over a few heads, but it seems to be a play on the idea of possession. The spitting out a crucifix sounds like that. Possession fits the them of being "the illest"

[@kurlykate6377]

Your talk about hell being solitude reminds me of Jhene Aiko's song Jukai. It goes, "Hell is not a certain evil, Hell is other people Or the lack thereof"

[@kurlykate6377]

Also I really enjoy your reactions. I love Ren's creativity

[@philk9227]

Great reaction guys

[@killak240sx]

You are the first I've seen that got the Spinal Tap reference, Nice job!

[@wastefulungratfuls]

He's explaining the dark side of his mind... This is the shadow of his mind... He says so in the beginning verse... 🤷‍♀️ "you might find yourself in the mind of the illest of your time" Later in the year he's releasing his Light album... This is from the Dark album... He recorded both albums last year to release this Year while he's in Canada...

[@Jarflex101]

The Screech line is a reference to the fact Screech killed a pacifist, Jenny!

[@ela83a]

I really wish that people who complain about reactors pausing would just go and watch the original video instead.

[@dronechoons]

The pigs and the animals are a reference to George Orwells Animal Farm.

[@moxiesan1663]

Just an FYI to you both.... Ren was born in 1990, so a lot of these references are from his youth and beyond. He doesn't look like he's 33, but yeah... lol. Love y'all's reactions. Keep it up!

[@tamirkhlafallah5426]

You guys should check out Ocean, Humble, Life is Funny, and Domino's