Rappers React To Ren "Halftime"!!! (Nas Retake)

On this segment of Rappers React, Smokey and Hollywood checked out "Halftime" by Ren!!! Any suggestions, send them our way!!!
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[@Dad-JanieWorld]

So it doesn’t matter if Nas or Ren did it better. I know it’s human condition to try to make it that way. This was Ren paying Homage to one of favorite Rappers. So Ren fans or Nas fans. Shouldn’t start friction between. There is a million Ren fans. That a section of them that doesn’t know Nas. Will check out now. Also Nas fans that will see this & maybe check Ren out. It’s a win, win. I think it’s important for us to remember ren did because he respect Nas. Let’s not start beef 🥩. Love the reaction though fellas

[@davidjames3080]

Totally agree. They are different creatures and both are creations of their generation and environment. Nas will have skills and experiences that Ren won't have and vice versa. Ren's live performances, in my opinion, are far superior than the videos I've seen of Nas performing live. Of course, being more musically minded and honing his skills through busking, producing and mixing will do that, but, as much as they are alike in some ways, they are also way different artists. Ren himself says he may never be at the level of Nas and states that 'retake' tracks he has done are homage to his favourite artists and we must take that at face value. I would imagine that the artists that Ren has paid homage to (Nas, Fred Again, Sting, Jungle, Fatboy Slim, and all the others) are flattered that another artist would want to pay homage to them, without trying to monetise their music obviously, and surely an artist bringing fresh new attention and fans to an older artist can only be good. So, I can't really understand the reaction of some Nas fans who are acting more like gatekeepers than fans. Contract that to the fans of Ren (the Renegades), who welcome every new fan as if they are family and without judgement. Long live the Renaissance!

[@Dad-JanieWorld]

@@davidjames3080 I agree with everything you said completely. I do believe there more gate keeping on the old hip hop heads for sure. There fanatics just like arena fans are for there hip hop & culture. But I will say there a very small but vocal side of Ren fans. That gatekeep as well. Also just as fanatical. Will try to ruin people. If they say they don’t like 1 song of him. But that being said, Ren fans majority of them are welcoming & also truly positive & kind. Like 85 % probably. Which is probably the biggest number I’ve ever seen. Just want either side to remember. Ren or Nas. Can’t control the way fans react.

[@Dr.Brummel]

The song is a homage, not a competition. As Ren says in the song: "I might never reach the level, I'll salute with bars".

[@angelaprzybylski1425]

And Ren did exactly half the time of the orginal. So many easter eggs in this one

[@Dr.Brummel]

Two more easter eggs: - "An isotope, a proton and a neutron in the nuclei..." refers to 'Breaking Atoms' one of the first albums Nas was involved in. - "sleep is the cousin of death" is a line from Nas' song 'N.Y. State of Mind' from the Illmatic album. Also a reference to 'Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst' by 'Kendrick Lamar', another rapper Ren loves.

[@anthonyburchett9860]

Released on PI day 3-14, feeding them pie

[@longkesh1971]

@@Dr.BrummelYup, Breaking Atoms was by Main Source. Also, the "China without rice, Bible without Christ" was homage to The Big Picture album by Big L, another NYC rapper.

[@Dr.Brummel]

@@longkesh1971 Ahh thanks, didn'n know that.

[@davidjames3080]

@@Dr.Brummel Also, not sure if this was deliberate by Ren (probably was), March 14th (as well as being Pi day) was birthday of Albert Einstein. Spooky!

[@metalguru85]

I agree with Smokey, Ren is incredibly lyrical. Always good to see more Ren on the channel.

[@babyowl75]

Probably the best modern day lyricist

[@CurtisJackson-ik3iw]

Rens just getting started

[@CurtisJackson-ik3iw]

Rens just getting started

[@peterwilliamson5953]

@@CurtisJackson-ik3iw yeah this is like step 3 of his 12 step program to world domination

[@rudyb.]

Thank you for your honesty. Ren has a saying that Music shouldn’t be about competition, but let’s be realistic, Ren is here. He is taking names & kicking ass! Ren did Nas’s “Halftime” justice. Renegades!

[@kellyt5341]

💯

[@emilianoserranosouza1991]

Facts!!

[@MathewHess-yp2vp]

Check the length of Ren’s retake vs Nas’s original length…Ren always doing sneaky cool shit

[@ZeScorpion]

It was the same length because he used the original beat, albeit with a bit of Ren decoration. Nothing more mate. Excellent track though, Ren killed it. 🍻

[@MathewHess-yp2vp]

And I saw someone mention Hold On in the comments…second that recommendation and still might be my #1 Ren song…I think I listened on loop for a week straight 1st time I listened…it’s an under the radar gem tho for sure fellas

[@C0c0puffs01]

I agree!

[@mattslade1633]

I agree also, in second place would be Heretic.

[@callmeeley]

I think that Ren doing retakes of other artists is a great thing, not only is he paying homage to artists that inspired him, he's bringing music that may not have been heard by many others so they get to to appreciate the greats ❤

[@babyowl75]

Glad you dudes got back on Ren 🎉

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

I couldn't have told you anything about Nas or Halftime before I heard Ren's retake (but that's on me - I haven't been one to listen to rap much before I started listening to Ren nonstop) BUT the second the beat started, I recognized it from working in a music store for 6 yrs in the 90s (& I've relaxed my musical judgementalism to be able to enjoy a wider spectrum of music since then). I wouldn't have gotten much from the first half of the lyrics if it hadn't been for reactors breaking them down - I'd have pulled a surface layer understanding at best on my own, and not understood how the different schemes were linked. "I'm the waviest guy" is my fave, with Nas originally being Kid Wave. Like, something about making "waviest" into a way of saying coolest/best/whatever delighted me to begin with, and then for reactors to explain where it'll be coming from just made me grin even bigger, with Ren wearing that New Wave jacket in The Hunger.

[@ChrisLawton66]

Ren is a musical chameleon and humble as hell and I love when you guys check his stuff out.

[@kellyt5341]

Ren dropped 🔥 (back on 74/message in a bottle) retake 🔥 almost a month ago. It is great. Ren had a technical bar scheme that flowed very well, it was a great homage to those that paved the way.

[@Peacetrain66]

Ren puts so much into everything he does, we’ll probably never find all of the hidden gems in this. Showing respect, not trying to do it better, which is so Ren.

[@canhick4646]

you should check out some of his older stuff like Hold On.

[@kellyt5341]

They haven't checked out his drop before this yet. (Back on 74/message in a bottle) retake.

[@Jadedxx]

Man yall been missing Rens weekly drops so im glad you got to this one.

[@cas9065]

Ren has a message for you and the other reactors who appreciate his music in his shorts.

[@shazza175]

This one is CRAMMED full of easter eggs for the fans to find and decipher! Fun react guys!

[@GW-kf1be]

Thanks guys. Please react to Back on 74/Message in a Bottle Retake. It’s incredible. I love Ren ❤❤❤

[@barryrobertson7064]

Guys his last three drops have been🔥Fred mash up, back on 74, this.

[@patriciacloix71]

REN génie talentueux merci les gars pour vos réactions 🙏💖👍👏

[@heighleybaily8037]

I love the old beats, nicely done by ren

[@JonnyPhive]

Also he released this on 3-14, pie day. With that pie/pirate scheme. Nuts😮

[@littleraven133]

This is the first time I've seen y'all. I have to say, I'm a fan! I love the casual conversations and the honest opinions. Guess I'm going to have to subscribe. Well done. 😊

[@shannonlasell]

y'all know real hiphop. i think both of ya are perfect for this reaction.

[@kellyt5341]

I missed the part where they broke the bars down.

[@shannonlasell]

@@kellyt5341 wut

[@kellyt5341]

@@shannonlasell I was being sarcastic. They didn't breakdown jack squat. 2 min. rap and a 15 min. video and no discussion about the actual lyrics.

[@shannonlasell]

@@kellyt5341 yeah I caught that it was hard to tell the way you typed it. You also made an typo.

[@peterwilliamson5953]

released on PI day 3.14

[@alvajjoe]

I was never a Nas fan. He was a pioneer of hip hop. I was 10 in 1985 and I started listening to hip-hop/rap. I just didn't connect with it. Years later I tried to get into it and just couldn't. He was way ahead of his time. As I got older you can see the impact he had and still has. I just loved West Coast hip-hop. In 1988 I bought my first hip hop tape. I was moving from Costa Mesa to Portland. I had to finish the baseball season so I stayed with my coach. That is when I heard Life is too short. My coach bought it for me as a going away present. I was hooked. I could talk about this for hours. I was just a loyal west coast fan. Until Biggie. I liked LL because it helped get you laid LOL. NWA, E-40, Mac Dre, N2Deep, Luniz, DJ Quik , Daz, CMW, Kurupt one of my all time favorites. West coast was just better. Ren is special. If he was able to tour he would be huge. Thank you guys. I really enjoy your reactions.

[@sterling8298]

I waited till yall listened to the new Ren song to watch it. 😊 Even though other channels reacted to it several days ago.

[@noelneyman421]

Spinach! ❤ i totally feel you about feeling the rap music now versus then. Loving it now. 53 white grandma!

[@kristaspecht]

Hollywood hated spinach as a kid too! My step dad force fed us canned friggin spinach..uggg...I love fresh spinach now and I eat it often lol!!

[@francesdoll4039]

And this video was HALF the TIME of the original and he released it on Pi day! 3:14.

[@kristaspecht]

Morning fellas! I saw this the other day! He's so good at what he does! Love ren!! He's so friggin talented! Great choice guys!❤️🤓

[@926johnh]

Every time I hear this I notice something new with the lyrics. LOVE THAT!! 10th time listening.... "wait... did he just say..." 😂😂

[@inkubuzz]

Another day, another petition for Pain of Salvation - On a Tuesday

[@scottgate4983]

Halftime by Nas was made for a movie before he put it on the album "illmatic"; there is no need to compare Ren and Nas, they are both masters of their time, a lot of old skool rappers aren't liking Ren But most of the time it isn't about his abilities it's more about superficial shit like saying how dare he put a track down on a Nas beat, when Ren is just introducing himself to the rap world and paying homage to the greats that inspired him. I only wish we could get an album of all Ren's retakes, I know it's not done for monetary gain but even if they did it as a charity album he'd just need the other artists to release the rights for charity also and should be right up Rens ally considering his messages about humanity through his music.

[@yilomina2047]

So good!

[@im2yz4u17]

When I was growing up I hated spinach; now I love it. Ren takes any dish and adds spinach, but we call it Florentine! Ren adds spice, he refines the dish and serves it up differently. He is the new Master Chef of rap.

[@Qmocean]

The whole point of that last verse is to not wait until they're dead to pay your respects to the legends. Specifically giving his respect to Nas as a living legend. He doesn't know if he will get to do it in person, so he's gonna do it with this song.

[@lostcomicjunkie2724]

It"s wicked bold Smokey... Yet, I also agree. It holds true. Ren has a 1up as a lyricist over Nas. I went through the minds corridors and took a trip back in time, when this dropped. That back alley beat slapped my hippocampus. I was at 88 mph. Poof back in 95. Over the last week or so, all I've been doing is listening to Nas, Wu-Tang, Big L, Pharcyde, and more East Coast beats. At that time, I bounced genres depending on who I was hanging out with, or feeling. I was into a lot of the 90s grunge in New England. Did a lot of hip hop when I hit Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Now, everything but country. Wicked reaction Brothas! Broaden my horizons but I still can't do country!

[@MathewHess-yp2vp]

Reading your comment I can almost positively say that my life’s musical journey is very very close to yours from what you described…keep your guard up tho because after 40+ years of a “Never Country” sane person…met the wrong girl that introduced me to new country and it got me! Can’t believe I’m admitting this but to be honest the ONLY music I listen to on reg FM radio is country these days…but that has a lot to do with the alternative new music options on regular radio… keep your guard up tho it might get ya!

[@lostcomicjunkie2724]

@@MathewHess-yp2vp l LOL, my pops said the same thing. Okay. I like some George Strait, Pure Country is wicked good. Even watch the movie. Nitty Gritty Dirty Band. I'll go fishing in the dark anytime. Tim McGraw has a few songs... Faith Hill, Shania Twain, then there's Taylor... Not a NEVR country, just have to be told. Yeah, a woman made me do it. Worth every bit. Lol, I live in Arizona too. It happens. Who is wicked funny last night. My 16 year old daughter came in and I was listening to ODB, Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Baby I Like It Raw). She just stopped in her tracks and her eyes were almost bugging out! She's heard me listening to Ren and modern KZbin rappers Token and she introduced me to NF, but I started flipping through the CD book and pulling out CDs that literally have not been played in 30 years. Got some Tupac and biggie I'm going to pop in I haven't listened to them since I was 20. I'm having fun with it and if I can get any kind of interaction with my teenage daughters I'll take it!

[@jessicalingo4346]

For my would you rather: I would do my various crafts like wood burning. Painting said wood burning projects, drawing, crocheting, and other craft projects I find therapeutic.

[@williamparrish9954]

the feeding them Pie Pi is 3.14 ren drop this on 14th also its 3rd month did you Notice when ren was crossing the street he stop walking right as the cross walk timer hit zero

[@PeeWeeGerman1313]

I'm originally from NJ so I'm a North East guy for sure but I'd like to see y'all Southern boys cover some Goodie Mobb!

[@therosabella67]

Music is universal

[@tiawarren5403]

❤Ren. . Ahhhhhh

[@Lou-xq9br]

❤ #ren 🔥💎🖤

[@momishka7]

Something funny… when you say deuces at the end palm out is peace, palm facing yourself to the English is like giving the bird just FYI LOL

[@impediment1]

Whenever Ren raps I like it. There are only 2 rappers on my playlist.😂🎉🎶🎶

[@chp785]

MALAYSIA New Song Before Trending🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Steady Gang - (周星翅Chou Xing Chi )❤❤❤❤❤👍🏻

[@therosabella67]

Yes he is!! Ren is a master lyricist!! ❤️😊

[@user-pw5yt9nm6i]

Great reaction, learned some things, thanks!

[@sterling8298]

This song is straight up superfire. Ren is a master at music.😊

[@PunkRocker1976]

Sleep is the cousin of death is also from Illmatic but it’s on NY state of mind track notHalfway. Did you notice that Ren flips this first rapping Death is the cousin of sleep before then using the correct line. He drops all sorts of surprises in his music that you need to relisten to notice. Rens retake is exactly half the length of the Nas track (halftime)! Coincidence? Not with Ren

[@donald1379]

Ren is a beast...thanks guys appreciate you.

[@adamwheeler6326]

I'm excited for THIS reaction ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@najtrows]

I'm a white metalhead/punk from Sweden and I grew up on Illmatic and 36 Chambers :D

[@jaydun4204]

Great reaction fellas

[@mrsainsburys1]

Great reaction, thank you Gents 🙏🦉❤️🐊👍

[@kdollars101]

I love Ren retake. Not trying to sing Nas Karoke, and showing respect. Looking forward Ren back on 74.

[@kimzwolinski9919]

I have never heard the original but I will be checking it out now 😊

[@Turntablist_Mk2]

Being competitive is so ingrained in hip-hop and has its place. But homages keep legends alive with the younger generations. It's crazy that he used the Big L verse and comments from the actual Nas halftime video as part of the lyrics, just next level lol. A fun tribute instead of a critically acclaimed remake. 🤣

[@colemoles7517]

You should watch rens retake to bittersweet symphony. Its awesome!

[@bobbistone8888]

Ren just threw out love to all reactors. Says he's found music through them and also reconnects with own songs through reactions and breakdowns.

[@jasonremy1627]

Ren killed this.

[@mrdarengilbert3907]

100% agree with Smokey

[@sorenm.lairdsorries7547]

Thank you 🙏❤ Trash Talkers ❤ for your 🐷 Ren - Halftime (Nas Retake) reaction! #ren #nas #josh #kai #sickboi #halftime #calgary #counttozeroseconds #piday #retake Ren added his rocky guitar to the beat track that Nas used for the original Halftime. "A man isn't dead as long as his name is still spoken" - Sir Terry 'Pterry' Pratchett ... GNU Terry Pratchett Nas - Halftime kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnSnipqQgpqsp5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDKoneYmMeJpZI

[@peterwilliamson5953]

never heard of nas , ren pointed me , i went , now i love nas , i be Scottish we didnt get much rap round these here parts besides the usual

[@dianeemanuel8541]

❤❤❤Great Reaction

[@michaelbradley7529]

A small suggestion. Remember that most people (especially those that are not subscribed yet) are clicking on the video because of the title. It took nearly 7-minutes to get to the subject of the title. For me personally, I'm already getting restless at about the 2-minute mark and I'm contemplating moving on to another reaction channel. Something to think about. But hey, maybe I'm the only one, so there's that.

[@ShanLH5]

You’re not the first to mention it and you probably won’t be the last. That’s kind of their thing, though. Some people like it, some people don’t. You can bypass it by skipping ahead till you see their video screen pop up

[@Corvid76]

Heya, the line that was bleeped out is "Like a feminist with no one to complain to".

[@JonnyPhive]

Did you catch that he stopped right when the crosswalk hit zero?

[@bonniebennett6866]

I'm Probably labeled a metal head , Truth is I listen to everything that I like. I'm jersey girl, Hot 97 was my radio station in my teens, And when the beef was going down I always picked NAS. Sorry, guys.But New York style is my favorite.But maybe that's cause i'm from new jersey. Ren is fantastic at what he does and while you may say he's more lyrical.I just think he does it differently.I actually feel like he does it like newer rappers do. It's era and you can't really compare. But if you want to compare within the eras, Nas beats J and Ren beats____ Fill in the blank.I don't listen to new rap. Lol Also back in the day when Nas and Jay-Z were going at it.What would you guys consider rap that you listen to that wasn't new york style? I don't really know any southern rappers other than back that thang up guy.. you guys didn't like mobb deep? DMX? My heart ..Wu!!!? Omg my longest comment is full of nostalgia lol

[@user-oq4cs6xd4m]

Fuckin genius

[@tjmctube]

I don't know if Ren coined the term "retake" but by now listening to what he IDs as retakes, they are not covers.

[@beverleytarran2983]

🔥🔥🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@jolopez5861]

u definitively should try japanese rap french rap spanish and south african rap you are not ready! the morrocans rapers also

[@smack_pop7]

❤❤❤

[@fangirl6115]

❤

[@ulladencker60]

Chinchille just dropped a new music video “I’m a MF Diamond” 💎 Would love to see your reaction.

[@ricksurratt9034]

👍🏽🐷✌🏼

[@pirada74]

🔥🔥🔥✌

[@sterling8298]

So you tell me that Method Man and Redman aren't actual brothers in real life. I thought for sure there were brothers. I know you'd like to react to heavy metal. But Charles should react to some method man and redman.

[@andrewshedron425]

If there were 10 songs on the album there is no halftime. Or am I lost here?? You need an odd number inorder for one song to be the technical halftime.

[@markbrooks8144]

Depends on the length of the other songs. 😉

[@MathewHess-yp2vp]

1st off rappers ain’t mathematicians homie…2nd being one of the if not the best hip hop album of all time song 10 was overtime biaaaatch! Which do the math smart guy…Song 5=HALFTIME so stfu! 😂

[@cupid_stunt7414]

So you don't like MF DOOM (technically British) or Wu Tang Clan?

[@Vmcf1968]

i love boom bap. i rocked sugerhill gang and digital underground. arouind the time, nas cam e on the scene i quit drugs so i stopped listening to rap because much of it glamorized drugs, i wasnt in a place to f with it.

[@LostHate]

Dang I didn't know your into RC. What kind?

[@Tessimistic420]

🫵Ready to be 🤯👍🤟🤯

[@ronaldguidry2256]

A group of whales is called a pod

[@imsljr420]

The guy wearing the Deftones shirt seems cool but also like a bully. Like he's tall so he bullies smaller guys.

[@groovelife415]

🤣🤣🤣 This was a joke, right? This sounds like a Stewie Griffin rap skit.