Prof x Ren - Pain Salesmen | Hip-Hop fan reacts!

[@cheetara32]

Absolutely love this collab, Id not heard of Prof before, but Ive now gone through all his back catalogue and many of his tracks have been added to my daily playlist! Its differentt to have a rap track with great vocal harmonies too, love it!

[@LoutTsu]

Thanks for the breakdown. Appreciate the time and effort you put into these. Re Rhymesayers, I know they've done a lot of good, but they stabbed Prof in the back. The accusations that stirred up problems were about an MC he'd fired years before. Without warning, they dropped Prof and pulled his album Powderhorn Suites a week before it's release. When Prof released it independently months later, it hit high on the charts and was a real breakthrough for him. His next album Horse was even more successful.

[@cathywethington5913]

Love Prof. Screw the record industry. We fans can lift up independent artists so they can be creative and real

[@iamsquatty]

Rens syllable scheme was so cool 😂💜

[@mcflyjp]

@@iamsquatty agreed. My favorite part of the song tbh.

[@robmarar]

Prof stated on Instagram that he made the beat & sent it to Ren with his vocals & verse laid down on the track already. Ren decided to experiment with it by harmonizing with Prof & layering the backing vocals further (with Prof's permission) as well as inserting his own verse. Prof was joking that Ren out rapped him on his own track🤬😂. You can probably find the posts on YT, I believe there are 3 different posts.✌

[@mcflyjp]

Yeah man. I think they rwpp differently so to say without a doubt it's true is weird to me BUT I think I enjoyed Ren's verse more, imo. It had everything.

[@RenNotRen]

Jumped here as fast as I saw it published 😁❤ Prof stated on IG that he did the beat on it.

[@mcflyjp]

Sweet. Makes sense. Sounds like a Prof beat. But I know Ren can do anything so wasn't sure haha.

[@mcflyjp]

@@RenNotRen also thank you for being so eager to watch. It makes me heart happy 🩷

[@lexibrax]

'I wanna be alive when i die' to me means he doesn't wanna just sit around and wait for death. He wants to truly LIVE untill the end.

[@salishseamermaid]

I love their voices together. Ren just adds so much spice to everything!

[@annasaunders2167]

Lol! When Ren sent him his ideas for the track Prof got pissed cause it was so polished ! Pro decided he would go back to work on his part a little more. The way he cussed Ren and groused about it to IG was endearing and hilarious! Really cool they did so well "together " when they never got in the same room together!!

[@sigally]

Love the breakdown. 💖Love the beat too! Ren always references other tracks in a track. So many Murdrer references. (anus, contagious, wasted). The whole song is a double I think. The pharmaceutical industry are pain Salesman. They are Mrdrs.

[@mcflyjp]

Love this! Yeah. Ren always has the metaphorical philosophical raps.

[@kellyt5341]

The main stream music complex/large labels are pain salesmen as well. What are you willing to give up to become famous..."your soul", dignity, morals, honesty etc... Record companies own many souls. Old ancient groups are still touring and they look old, tired and angry while doing it. That "evil" contract is never satisfied.

[@rudyb.]

One of the better reactions to this song. At first listens, I wasn’t convinced but as time went this song by Prof & Ren grew on me. I think you put the stamp on it for me. Thanks!

[@mcflyjp]

So glad to hear that! It means a lot!

[@TanyaQueen182]

excellent reaction and interesting information thanks for sharing!

[@SimonSykes-Shellman]

Great reaction. It was interesting to hear some of Prof's history, this track is fire, loved RENs syllables

[@francesdoll4039]

Prof did the beat.

[@JonniPants]

I've been off the grid for a bit. Glad you covered this. 💜 Love your breakdowns.

[@krikat3485]

You are so right about some content creators - some bring little to the table. You are not one of those, thankfully. I can always count n you doing a proper reaction! I like both Prof and Ren, and have enjoyed this, too.

[@mcflyjp]

I appreciate that, really. I just feel those reactors ruin it for ones like me and many others.

[@jhayley72]

Great reaction. Love Ren and his music. He's brought me to Prof though and love this colab ❤

[@mrdarengilbert3907]

Love you man RikaShae put me onto Prof maybe nearly a year ago. When I heard these two might colab I was pumped, and it turned out soooo good. I’m pretty sure (ok hoping) this won’t be the last Prof/Ren collaboration. Have you watched any of Prof concert vids… he is off the charts amazing live, he is definitely one of those artists that sound as good live as his studio stuff does or better, he is amazing. We have all seen Ren live, these two could rock a whole room without a singe rehearsal 😂🤓 ps how have you been bro? I’ve had an up and down 2024, as many of us have. Wishing the best for you and your family, take care Daz

[@mcflyjp]

I haven't but I need to get on watching them!

[@Veeliscious]

Great breakdown & analysis of the lyrics. I appreciated your interpretation of them. I think this track is 🔥- I want a whole mini collab album from them - with their range, skillsets & ADD minds, it can go off in so many directions

[@yilomina2047]

This gets better every time I listen to it! Thanks for another excellent breakdown.

[@mcflyjp]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@RenNotRen]

Great breakdown ❤

[@mcflyjp]

Thank you!

[@michaelphipps8647]

Subed for much more Ren! #Renagades!!!

[@mcflyjp]

Thank you! I have a Ren playlist with much more Ren!

[@adamsifre685]

Not enough hours in the day to listen to these two. But I manage! Great reaction.

[@mcflyjp]

Thank you’

[@AmaBrigitte]

Thank you JP😊 your breakdown was superb, giving me info on Prof's career as well! I especially love the beat and the similar "pain" they have experienced and the metaphors they use to draw us in! Brilliant artists, both of them❤

[@mcflyjp]

Their styles and voices blended very well together.

[@davidholwell2060]

🎉🎉🎉. So catchy love it.

[@helenjarvis7755]

Very nicely done Enjoyed your thoughts and loved this collab too

[@belgand5555]

Thanks.. loved this… 💕🖤💕

[@donald1379]

Great reaction as always this collaboration was 🔥thanks appreciate you brother👍

[@Beldvlmnt]

Not through the reaction yet but love seeing you standing bro!!

[@mcflyjp]

Thanks. I will start doing it more often.

[@cathywethington5913]

Great breakdown. Always catch things that I don't. Thanks

[@mcflyjp]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for hanging out!

[@debrashrider4062]

Very good reaction, thank you.

[@mcflyjp]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Shiroar]

Both did well, but yeah, Ren killed it 🔥

[@jeanninegervais5874]

I thought about the timing too.

[@CindyBaucom-sb1hd]

Fire

[@morecrayonsplzmcw4836]

🔥

[@alanmai5656]

Ren also has a song called Murderer

[@mcflyjp]

@@alanmai5656 pretty sure I said that in the reaction.

[@jamiemacdonald6899]

I think selling my soul here is a bit of a double. Yes, there are folk out there selling their souls doing anything for the fame. But on Prof's verse I think he is talking about his issues with cancellation and being dropped. I've been prostituting my losses - he went through a tough time, took the positives from the publicity and kicked on independently to take his career to a higher place. He alludes to it in other tracks. Too of the billboard charts, how does that make you feel?

[@mcflyjp]

How does it make me feel? Idk. But I agree it's definitely a double. I think looking back in the context of the song this explanation fits.

[@jamiemacdonald6899]

@mcflyjp I was referencing the lyrics from Prof's track Feed the Dogs with the how does it make you feel. He specifically talks about being cancelled then going on to build an empire.

[@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews]

1:30 rhymesayers messed up themselves, but did a prof favor. Prof is better than any artist on their label by far. slugs ok he’s got a 3 or 4 good songs. prof has at least 80 great songs

[@mcflyjp]

@@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews I have to disagree. Slug is absolutely one of my favorite MCs and one of the better ones out there. There is a reason he has respect from underground, indie, and even the likes of Tech N9ne. Atmosphere has 100s of bangers. And this is coming from someone who is absolutely over critical of music. I don’t know enough about prof to agree about his body of work but I wouldn’t doubt he’s good as well. Both can be good without it affecting anyone.

[@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews]

@@mcflyjp I’ve been listening to hip-hop since 84. Slug is OK at best.

[@mcflyjp]

Who are some of your favorite MCs.

[@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews]

@@mcflyjp Prof, Lateef, Gift of Gab, Eli, Grouch, Sage Francis, Eminem, El-P, Aesop Rock, Oki, Grieves, the Narrata, old ll cool j, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Digable planets, tribe called quest…

[@mcflyjp]

Some very good artists here. Tribe is one of the all time great groups. Aesop Rock is good, but definitely one of those Niche type of artists. I'd say that he has a great following of people who love that Niche. Doesn't appeal to the masses (nothing wrong with that, in fact, I commend him for staying true to himself. Gift of Gab is great, I can't argue with being one of the better artists out there. Eli and Grouch are fun, and I absolutely love their energy. Grouch's cadence is unique, and definitely is a good beat producer. Eligh I actually like better than Grouch skillwise; better flow and all around cadence. But I, PERSONALLY, put them in the intermediate range. Sage Francis: I aint got nothing to say there except a poet who moonlights as a rapper is always a recipe for success. Eminem: He's the goat for a reason El-P: I've only heard a few so I can't really extend any thoughtful or accurate critique or praise Grieves: One of my favorites to listen to for the straight vibes and I think he creates excellent music. But if we are talking straight rap chops, i wouldn't put him near the top (I have praised Grieves on this channel multiple times). LL Cool J: One of the all time greats for sure. I actually think he is underrated, imo. Beastie Bots: Full stop... De La Soul: Agreed If I didn't mention any of the others I haven't heard enough. In my opinion Slug has it all. We have rappers out here that can write immensely deep, and intellectual raps but don't have the flow or cadence, can't freestyle, don't have a specific niche or pocket that they stay in. Slug has all of that. He may not be the greatest freestyler ever, but he can still do it. Old Slug was a poet himself; not only creating raps with flow changes, cadence changes and shifts in tonality, but also is great at storytelling. New-old Slug (Yesterday) is proof he's a great story teller. Old Slug (ScapeGoat) is absolutely superb. He has flow changes, singing hooks, metaphorical raps, rhyme scheme changes, catchy hooks, and absolute intensity. (Fuck You Lucy) is one of my favorite tracks of his, but there are many more. He also has deep songs as well. Lastly, without the foundation he set for Rhymesayers there wouldn't be any of the others, including Prof. Prof definitely made a name for himself with his hard work and overall talent. But Rhymesayers boosted his career exponentially for sure. And in my opinion, which is definitely that; my opinion, Ren had a better verse than Prof on this track (and I ultimately think Prof has established himself as the better MC if not for the sheer body of work over Ren). But I respect the opinion man, the fact you have a lot of Great artists on here that most people wouldn't otherwise mention is sick and I applaud you.

[@sallymartin7259]

Took u over 4 minutes to start this banger I'm gone

[@mcflyjp]

See ya 👋🏽

[@Cattakeover]

If you say an artist has accusations, you need to elaborate, or people will think the worst. He didn't have any accusations, and it's wrong to say he did. And he's not selling his soul to sell out he's selling his soul (pain through music).

[@mcflyjp]

I have receipts if you'd like them 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@mcflyjp]

Rap is always about Double and Triple entendres. To say it's one or the other and absolutely not both without a doubt is kind of ridiculous. It could be any or all imo.

[@Cattakeover]

@mcflyjp you should explain that in the react. Your statement leaves too much to the imagination, and I would like to know what they were.

[@Cattakeover]

@mcflyjp I think it's pretty straightforward. Everyone is entitled to interpret it however they want. That's what I took from it.

[@mcflyjp]

Fair enough. The great thing about music is it's subjective and usually ones perspective on the music is due to their own experiences.

[@ratmackay]

Great reaction and love your thoughts (at least the ones I got to hear). Sadly, however you have your camera mounted made it shake frequently and with the angle, it made me nauseous so I couldn't make it through the whole thing. Not trying to come down on you...I would have just xed out without saying anything, but I figured that was actionable info that a content creator might appreciate.

[@mcflyjp]

Noted. I will figure out a way to fix that moving forward. Thank you for the respectful, constructive criticism.

[@BigPapaGrizzly]

I've watched a lot of reactions to this song, and I think everyone is misinterpreting a very significant line. When Prof speaks of selling his soul I keep hearing everyone put it in that very religious transactional POV of selling your soul to the devil to obtain something. I believe this is not the intent behind the line. Imo it is more in reference to him putting his soul into his music and then selling it. Very similar to what some would say Ren does. Think of it this way and the entire time of the song changes for the better.

[@mcflyjp]

Music is subjective. But I agree that that line may be misinterpreted. Although, I don't think that changes the theme of the song at all. The point is that he's been working hard his entire life and may feel as if it's unappreciated.

[@BigPapaGrizzly]

@@mcflyjp no doubt about it. The meaning remains similar if not the same, but the tone of the song changes when you look at it from the lens of self expression rather than self exploitation. It's more of a vibe thing really. Sorry if that didn't come through with my first comment.