Ren and A Music Industry Pitfall.

[@TheCharismaticVoice]

I always really appreciate your takes, Justin. Thank you for posting this!

[@xenoxaos1]

@TheCharismaticVoice you just love Justin's hair!

[@timdombrova]

When will we see another The Darkness reaction?

[@TheDefendedOfficial]

It’s dog eat dog and some dogs are a lot greedier than others. Pardon the dog puns. Solidarity with Ren!

[@dj-um7el]

Hi

[@DJ_Cub]

@@timdombrovashe reacted to the only song anyone knows by them. No one would watch

[@le_th_]

This is an unemotional, yet compassionate, message of support for another creative artist, and it's informative to those outside the music industry. A really amazing video you didn't have to make. Well done.

[@stephenbarr773]

One great soul supporting another great soul.

[@KarlMargerum]

respect

[@Maureen.EccentricEclectic]

😂

[@_J.L_]

like this ❤

[@Parula06]

Love you and your support of Ren, Justin. You introduced me to him when you reacted to "Hi Ren" back in January 2023, for which I am eternally grateful. And I love your kind and erudite way of expressing yourself, here and in your other videos.

[@johnaistrup9250]

Hi Justin, it was you and your channel which introduced me to Hi Ren! For that I am very grateful! I started watching your channel after I lost my youngest brother last October when he decided to end it. He was 20 years my junior but we were close and as you can imagine it crushed me. When he was a teen he introduced me to you and The Darkness, your style and flair resonated with him and he carried that look of a rockstar might have, throughout his adult years. So after coming across your channel, I somehow felt closer to my brother. My brother always thought you and The Darkness were legends and I have to admit I have started to listen to your music much more lately. I love your channel and your reactions to Ren, and so thank you for introducing me to his work. The first was Hi Ren and I paused your video, found Rens channel and watched it in its entirety, he reduced me to tears with his raw and conflicting emotions as well as his performance and delivery. I then went back to your channel and finished watching your reaction, and I found myself in complete agreement with you. I am so chuffed you and the band are producing music again..........agaaaaaaain! Long may it continue ol' bean!!! Great channel btw!

[@simondeverell5183]

Sorry for your loss

[@graceb3934]

🫂💚

[@Redlox70]

Beautiful comment. I wish you all the best ❤

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

Hey John, your brother sounded awesome - thank you for taking the time to tell me about him. And thank you for the support.

[@TheiaGalateia]

❤

[@sympotaz2960]

I have seen alot of artist make these types of videos, but i hve been following Rens musics/life updates for the past few years and like millions of other people have come to understand the person he is. Seeing him breaking down when he was explaining the impact Sick Boi had on him and many many other people (myself included) was a genuinely heartbreaking experience and i cant even imagine the pain and trauma that it has caused ren.

[@archribaldbunker1060]

His anger became art, that art is a banger Another Ren gem with a banger cliffhanger

[@juliaconnell]

*awesome* - THANK YOU Justin, grateful you are aware of this situation (as I assumed you would be) - also interested in your reaction to Ren's 'Kujo Beat Down' I was hoping for your input into this situation, given your knowledge, experience & expertise of the music industry, from multiple points of view (performer, obviously, writer, of course - ALL the other creative things you've done behind the scenes, & their 'real world' (legal & financial) consequences...). as usual you did not disappoint so THANK YOU Justin, appreciate your words of wisdom & insight, esp given your vast experience & grateful you are aware of this complicated situation (as I assumed you would be) - also interested in your reaction to Ren's 'Kujo Beat Down' - please & thank you p.s. hope the recording is going well

[@xxSammi212xx]

M

[@nichollebraspennickx943]

I believe you introduced me to Ren…. Amazing artist… through him… I found Cinchilla… again, amazing artist - together they are magnificent… you also introduced me to King Gizz. I’ll be seeing them at RedRocks on Sunday and Monday…. Thank you for your channel… “Nice One!”

[@forgettablelisa]

Seeing Gizz tonight, can't wait, but totally jealous of seeing them at RedRocks, amazing venue to see them in

[@OrwilrmW]

I also was introduced to ren here.

[@mairbek]

Same here. Got introduced to Ren by Justin. What an amazing discovery. Thank you, Justin

[@danielwitham1791]

Hope you keep your head on/pill Love from Melbourne Australia, the home of the gizzard.

[@JulieAiken]

I really wanted your take on this -- so, thank you! And I can't wait for your reaction to Kujo Beat Down.

[@agatopol]

Thank you for supporting Ren! Cheers from Bulgaria 🍻

[@Threadbow]

Bulgaria! Don't suppose you know the choir? So beautiful.

[@agatopol]

@@Threadbow I'm glad you like it, thank you! It's "Philip Koutev national ensemble"s choir.

[@Threadbow]

@@agatopol oh wow thank you! I see they don't wear white but stunning, colourful, traditional outfits.

[@theritchie2173]

Ren is almost the exact opposite of what I would normally listen to, but somehow he's incredible all the same. Can't remember if I discovered him here or via The Charismatic Voice (I'm off there next), but I'm glad I did. And then I'll be (mostly) back in the '70s & '80s like usual.

[@jodiegordon5559]

Have you ever heard his busking? He does a lot of covers, Bob Marley, the police, soul Motown and when it's full band outdoor gig the musicianship is top class! I haven't had the chance to spend a lot of time catching up but in interviews Ren has said that this is his 1st full rap heavy album and he has a gorgeous voice so i'm looking forward to discovering that Ren too! (Then I'll go back to my 70s 80s 90s! Lol!

[@LoutTsu]

Justin, you're such a charm! And I will forever be indebted to you for introducing me to Ren.

[@Annie_MaycoxMUA]

Love you man and the support you have for Ren x

[@donlamure626]

I'm just a music fan, and I enjoy your honesty and information you provide in your videos. Best of luck in all you do and thank you for the joy you bring me and everyone else with your channel. Your empathy and emotional intelligence is appreciated in this crazy world we live in

[@reidger7778]

A Justin and Ren collab would be insane!

[@davidjames3080]

Thanks for this Justin. You were the guy who introduced me to Ren (eternally grateful for that!), you continue to support real artists and I fully respect you for it.

[@-dizzoj-]

Gareth got a raw deal here. Gave up his car willingly only to have his specific instructions brazenly flaunted before you announced to the world, baselessly i might add, that the car was also his residence! Shocking. Justice for Gareth. #JusticeForGareth

[@RickReasonnz]

Exposing that poor old ancient wallet to the world.. for shame, Justin, for shaaaame.

[@taraschneider6115]

😂 Poor poor Garreth 😂

[@garthmckeil9539]

Lol Please add my Mock Outrage to this Faux Movement.... #FauxJusticeforGareth

[@yorkietipper1606]

What makes the wallet ancient ? Asking for a friend 😂

[@LyndaKerby]

I got bit by a tick when I was 11 years old. Long before Lyme disease was even a word. Long before Epstein-Barr was labeled a medical condition or fibromyalgia was a term. I had no idea how to explain any of this to people or the long lasting side effects I've dealt with for the last half century and out of the blue this British dude with the funny hair cut shows up on my KZbin and I hear Sick Boi and it not only blows me away with his talent but he understands what I've been through and articulates what I've failed to say.

[@mexmentaty]

Lyme disease has been a word since 1975 and the earliest detailed writings about diseases contracted from ticks have been around since the 18th century….

[@geverniveup]

@@mexmentatythen why did Ren get medically gaslit by the entire NHS for 8 years straight? Just because “it’s been a word since 1975” doesn’t mean every doctor knows about it and treats it properly

[@wannabrew8718]

​@mexmentaty not by the NHS stop splitting hairs

[@shazza175]

Thanks for this! Succinct and clearly stated. Looking forward to your breakdown of the beat down 🥰

[@DavidLindes]

I've already watched Kujo Beat Down a few times, and... it's in the queue to watch again. The numbers are growing! Over half a million views already, and I expect it'll be well beyond that before too very long. :) Thanks for the analysis of the situation, and I look forward to your analysis of the song. Good luck on your recording sessions!

[@SueDenimDomDenim]

Nearly a million views now- Kujo was very silly to turn down working with Ren it would have set him up with a fantastic track plus the support & respect of not only Rens fans but the wider industry too more fool Kujo looking forward to part 2

[@DavidLindes]

@@SueDenimDomDenim I hope there won't be reason for a part 2 to be released, but looking forward to Sick Boi version 2! And yeah, it got to over a million by yesterday, if not before, so... yeah... what was that quote (the first DM from the girlfriend) about "a little oopsie" or something? ;)

[@redyankeerose]

Love seeing the peeks into your life and career - and I can’t wait to see your interview with the Lemon Twigs! Thanks for another insightful video

[@ledad632]

Thank you Justin for explaining the industry. You are always entertaining and informative. Ren will always come out on top and we all wish him continued success. Live on and prosper 🖖

[@nichollebraspennickx943]

BTW, you are looking rested and healthy, Justin! Clean Living! Looks great on you!

[@benallmark9671]

Amazing isn’t it. Clean living looks good on anybody. It’s definitely the way to live IMO.

[@halloola3636]

Funny how different persepctives can be. My first thought was that Justin looks like he was back on something...

[@benallmark9671]

@@halloola3636 interesting, I hope you’re wrong.

[@halloola3636]

@@benallmark9671 Yeah, I hope so, too... Thing is: you never truelly lose the addictions that you´ve nurtured over years - I speak from experience.

[@benallmark9671]

@@halloola3636 I agree. I’m in the same boat. It took a car accident and becoming a paraplegic for me to figure it out. A blessing in disguise as messed up as that may seem. Plus I no longer have the headaches I got from woman. They want nothing to with me now anymore and I’m ok with that.

[@Veeliscious]

Wonderful sensitive and succinct consideration of the situation and great to have an music insider's explanation and take on it. Agree with you wholeheartedly

[@Jackie-wolf68]

Glad to hear how the legalities of all this played into Rens song. He's a young man doing great things with his music and i was extremely disappointed to hear what happened.

[@Cynthiabecker24]

Thanks Justin for weighing in on a very clear wrong done to Ren. Looking forward to the breakdown of Rens new track.

[@petermegarry7332]

Absolutely love the relationship that’s building between you and ren. Two outstanding vocalists and humans!!!

[@drewtabori8447]

I've realised over the last few months just how much respect I have for you thru these videos. You have evolved away from The Darkness with this series, and more power to you.

[@Stormsurf001]

Like @Patcow9999 said - Rens 'Kujo Beat Down' video is epic. A must see. I sure wouldn't want to be Kujo

[@laurafromliverpool]

Justin, you introduced me to ren and its no exaggeration to say that his music and story have motivated me to make huge changes to my life. So yeah, thanks Justin, it's been an amazing ride.

[@juliarenaultartist5247]

Absolutely support team Ren. Thanks for doing this Justin; it will mean the world to Ren.

[@cbradio-su8kd]

Thank you Justin for supporting our sick boi, nicely done ❤

[@sorryformyenglish2778]

You introduced many of us to Ren, so thank you so much for this Justin!

[@emj2782]

I LOVE this. I LOVE that you have included a clip of Ren saying he’s released a new song about it all. Brilliant. Call. Artists supporting artists. Class.

[@barmaleyes]

I don't think Ren taking down the song has something to do with the Bulgarian choir .. at least not directly. My understanding is that Ren already paid 15% to the choir (as they requested) because Kujobeats refused to absorb that. In any case the Bulgarian choir did not strike the song, Kujobeats did because he wants to engage Ren in a legal battle. And Ren simply removed the song to avoid that.

[@clarepickthall8508]

You have a thing about rhyming lyrics ( or rather not rhyming 😂)..I.e abracadabra..& your " ride again" re Extreme..Other Side of the Rainbow 😂

[@Linandemma]

​@clarepickthall8508 Ren bought a sampler from kujobeats, then cos ren killed it with said sampler, kb wanted their cut, with ridiculous terms I thought

[@lisajohnson1528]

I only knew about ren from your previous posts and knew about this last week, just watched the new vid from ren then saw this, cant wait for your next ren vid thank you justin!

[@benallmark9671]

Justin you introduced me to Ren two or three years ago and I wanna thank you for that. He’s been a great follow. Such a unique cat.

[@ProgressiveBoomer]

This is amazing, Justin. Thanks for this. Loved your take on this situation!

[@grumpyfinn]

REN is the G.O.A.T. hi ren led to my self realization when i reached the end of my rope with burnout... led me to get help, got my self diagnosis of adhd and comorbidities, after a year long process, confirmed by dr's last week and at 46 just started adhd meds (and my god what a difference). i was literally watching and listening to Hi Ren for the first time last september and something inside snapped, i mean physically i could feel it. i always heard people say how a song/artist saved them and always thought it kinda melodramatic, but i know now what other's have meant.... and sick boi fckn resonated too... fck kujobeats and his greed.

[@Thomas-xs2kq]

Oh, another GOAT.😂

[@sicpuppy9500]

@@Thomas-xs2kq There is a new sheriff in town.😁

[@TashaBryanRENegade]

Sicpuppy - that's what Kujo (Cujo - Stephen King) is. The only way to put a rabid dog down, is slay their ego.

[@dianediamoon13]

Great to hear your thoughts and glad Ren has your support!

[@chelseahaley8350]

I love that u are touching on this!! We NEED a reaction to Kujo Beat Down!! 🙌 Thank u Justin!! ❤

[@Megnky920]

Love that you did this

[@jessicarowley9631]

Very interesting explanation of how you see this dispute. Having watched Rens' video on the whole thing it was great to follow up with you. Always enjoy your content.

[@sunking3]

The BABY is coming!!! You really should've called for clean sheets and hot water. I bet you could deliver a baby. If they named it, Justin Hawkins, you could sing, "Justin Hawkins arrives again...AGAIN." I usually charge for these ideas, but you can have this one. 😊

[@Mrkalm007]

Boy did he hit back with his latest song!

[@chernicholas2107]

really appreciate that you took the time to break the situation down from your own experience. interesting stuff.

[@mldkenny]

You are always so interesting, thank you for this video.

[@SandraP3796]

Love you supporting Ren Justin ❤

[@gwynethzen77]

Thank you for speaking out and drawing attention to this! ❤

[@Alo4321]

Chinchilla needs to be reviewed. That live version of 5:1 is special

[@shellymiller1248]

Absolutely amazing song

[@jasonguest5820]

agree

[@jamiev3641]

1:5 so that you easily find it

[@seagull01-cp8pb]

Yessss!💕👍🦇

[@wadehines9971]

for reasons around my own provincial stupidity, I wanted to dislike Ren, but he rapidly became my favorite artist --- hands down. Good on ya for your take.

[@kjsdottor]

This was a beautifully thoughtful take🙏🏻. Looking forward to your reaction to Ren's masterpiece.

[@AnitaMc2-s6q]

Thank you so much for explaining this out.

[@ella_lefttheroom]

Really nice summary of the whole situation. Thank you for your opinion and support 💜💜💜

[@T.R.75]

i really enjoyed learning about all this. love Rens creativity. hope everything works out for all who deserve it. great vid.

[@payntpot7623]

Thank you. You have answered some questions I had over this.

[@marionnitsch2274]

Justin! It's a pleasure to watch you and listen to your clear and precise info ! You succeed in keeping a calm lookout on this troublesome situation while giving a COMPASSIONATE statement in favour of Ren being one of THE Artists of our times❣And justly so THIS GUY IS BRILLIANT. I hope and thousands of other fans hope that things can be sorted out for Ren! He plainly IS NOT AT FAULT AT ALL as your video made clear again . Thank you for it.🙏🌟 Looking forward to what else you have to say!!! Good Night 😅 It's 2:45 a.m. in Germany 👌👊🌝🖐

[@freddyhochauf9489]

Always good to have competent people like you on your side when goin through some kinky sht like that! 🙏

[@premeditatedplan5417]

You speak from a calm place, thanks.

[@violethill_]

I didn't know about Houdini! You're videos are always very interesting!

[@eily_b]

Interview with the Lemon Twigs! Yay! Looking forward to this!

[@MoreKellBellPlease]

Thanks for talking about this.

[@TheMisanthrope.]

One of your best Justin....cheers dawg.

[@smack_pop7]

Thank you so much for covering this ❤❤❤

[@docdurdin]

Thank you Justin. There are so many out there chasing after every breadcrumb to feast on. This is not just a song to Ren, you apparently see it is his heart.

[@Tinkerbell9332]

Hey I'm so glad you did this! Ren I feel is handling it all pretty well!

[@mirapiccolo6601]

I dicovered Ren from your Channel dear Justin, I appreciate your support for this amazing artist..thanks for this video and....Forza Ren....

[@psychachu]

"Permission to Land" was a huge part of my childhood. It's so cool to find you here, man, making really interesting videos. Love it. The Ren situation was mad.

[@Tim10642]

Great take Justin, see Ren has done a cracking live version of Bittersweet, a song all too familiar with court case copyright issues, think it was something like 25yrs until Verve got money for that record.

[@360Fov]

My God, the segue from discussing the complexities of group's recording and bringing in last minute suggestions, to sampling, to the Ren topic we wildly smooth.

[@theclewis.]

Always enjoy your input Justin, also great seeing the brief Jersey glimpses in the videos after your fleeting visit. Great performance too btw!

[@jacks9624]

Yup. Thanks, Justin.

[@_LoveMeKnot]

Woo was hoping you’d touch on this

[@SageMillhill]

That was brilliant.

[@Blondebehindthewheel]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. Your video of Hi Ren is how I discovered Ren in the first place. PS my ears are still ringing from when I saw you play at the House of Blues in Dallas over a decade ago ❤

[@lexiibattwitch]

Thank you for reacting to the situation and talking about it. You're a good 'un. If you're not sure why Ren rolled over, I'd recommend after doing your own reaction the Kujo Beat Down, watching Knox Hill's reaction. Knox is another rapper, albeit American, who's independent and very good but he also does reactions. He was a part of Ren's set during SGP this year, and spent a lot of time with Ren while the legal back and forth was happening. He gives a lot of insight into Ren's stress levels and what have you, at the time.

[@xeaux]

I don’t think most people realize how exhausting it is dealing with health issues and then having a major stressor occur on top of that. I hate that people are saying Ren “rolled over” when he did as much as he could to rectify the situation and kept being met with opposition. It isn’t good for his health & the treatment he had just received to put himself under so much stress. Taking a step back to come up with a different solution so that he doesn’t run himself back into a horrible health situation again isn’t rolling over, he’s proactively choosing his health over this drama. People are clearly not taking into account Ren’s health issues & considering “Hi Ren” is how most people came across his music, that’s a shame.

[@lexiibattwitch]

@@xeaux I don't necessarily think it's a case of intent in not taking them into account. Unfortunately, and I say this as someone who's also chronically ill but actually very functional mostly, it's very easy for people who don't deal with invisible, chronic illness to just presume people who seem functional... *Are*. We're not really, it's all a front. We have vast, complicated, difficult and awkward coping strategies and complex needs to take into account. So yes, you're right, everything takes so much more energy and effort. Additionally, the term "rolled over" in this instance, I don't believe has a disrespectful intent either. I think it's a different era of language crossing over here, with a slightly different subtext than we'd expect now if someone says "you rolled". I think it's a shame that Ren took Sick Boi down because he'd have been within his rights to take Kujo to court over it. But, he wanted to redo it HIS way. That isn't rolling over, that's going "right, fuck this, fuck you, I'm doing it so it's MINE".

[@SuziQ.]

@@lexiibattwitch, Ren took Sick Boi off all streaming platforms _after_ Kujo copyright claimed it and had it pulled from KZbin. Ren has to fight that (or should, because he’d win), but he didn’t “roll over”. He chose his battle. He chose to make a 100% Ren version of Sick Boi.

[@lexiibattwitch]

@@SuziQ. I know. Literally said that. The reason I pointed Justin to Knox is because Knox doesn't share too much of Ren's health info but makes how he was about it all, while it was happening, very clear. Jfc.

[@JonnyWho]

Like many others, I found Ren through you so, thank you for that. Great to see so much support for Ren from so many people.

[@moniavedder1933]

thanks for do this!!!! its really amazing all your support!!!!! so many thanks!!!

[@stranger2Utube]

Thank you Justin. No matter how genius anybody can be they're always standing on the shoulders of giants - and you are one of the giants ❤

[@liljohn118th]

Back in the day the Fugees sampled Enya without permission, and she considered sueing but after hearing the song decided to just come to a settlement with them. Wyclef even said how awesome she was about it when she didn't have to be. There are ways to solve this where everyone comes out on top! And then there's the kujo way.

[@TashaBryanRENegade]

Lauren Hill is one of my 90s faves!

[@jodiegordon5559]

That's cos she lives in a castle and he lives in a squat above a kebab shop.

[@jodiegordon5559]

@@TashaBryanRENegade mine too :)

[@TashaBryanRENegade]

@@jodiegordon5559 🫶🫶

[@liljohn118th]

@@jodiegordon5559 what does that matter? The Score was the best selling album in the US in 1996. Ready or not, the track which featured the sample was also a huge success as a single. She could have taken pretty much all the proceeds from all of that, but chose not to.

[@janiceN4Nugs]

Great episode, like Aways ❤

[@Kayz_90]

Great channel Justin. I am glad I found it. I literally didn't recognise you at first with shorter hair, but I knew your face was familiar and I love The Darkness, so it clicked eventually...lol.

[@HaydenJames7]

Awesome explanation on revenue streams and how it actually works for labels/publishing, artists, and writers. So many have no idea how royalties work and you broke it down to an understandable idea for all. It's a tricky, sticky, potentially complicated system depending on how much the writer/artist pays attention to the fine print before tapping 'ok'. The industry is not quite as vicious as it was from the 1950's to the turn of the century when the artist/writer had no control or means of distribution. Now it's far more to the creators advantage but still very critical to pay close attention to the agreement read those words carefully before pressing/tapping/clicking/"okay-ing" (signing). I always keep in mind that those agreements were constructed by lawyers! Enough said! Great video Justin.

[@JackiePlage]

Really appreciate you covering this Justin, thank you. I've watched a lot of videos about this situation and not a single person has agreed with Kujo's position (rightly so). Let's hope that makes Kujo stop and think about his actions.

[@cherylwitter5038]

You introduced me to Ren with hi Ren and I will always be grateful ♥️🔥✌️

[@RosieHarp]

Highly entertaining intro Mr H, very interesting too. You're a joy to watch 💕

[@JMK-xXx]

Algo Bump! Appreciate the reaction with your thoughts and analysis, looking forward to hearing more about this! Thank you, much love and have a great day!

[@Annellen53]

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint on Ren and this situation Justin

[@drewlester4313]

100% love a respectable, experienced and amazing artist's take on this travesty. Love all your music and takes.

[@pamquick600]

Thank you for your support of Ren, and thanks for your level-headed delivery of information. I'm glad to feel your solidarity with Ren and to see how healthy you are looking.

[@meganmartin1988]

Thank you for your support towards Ren Justin 🙏 ive always loved your music but found your youtube channels through Ren and subscribed. What an awesome dude you are my friend 🫶

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

This is a beautifully concise summary brought to us by a beautiful voice and beautiful human. Thank you.

[@paulwood927]

Good Call Justin, Absolutely, Let's Get Ren Back On Track 💫🙏😌🙏💫

[@jonnicklison449]

I think I love Justin & your vids

[@ChrisLawton66]

Thank you for introducing me to Ren's music. His art has changed my life for the better over the last year and a half. I appreciate your insight into this situation, and also your continued support of him.

[@kev2020-z9s]

Thank you for this Ren help a lot of people.

[@Dandiesonthinice]

Very well balanced discussion there Justin. REN has always come across as absolutely genuine and it’s great you take the line you do. He’s working and worked through it. I couldn’t even imagine that frustration.

[@jabo22]

This is a well done analysis. Thank you.

[@nigelloftus8544]

Brilliant. I love your take on this. I’ve been a fan of yours for years, and when I found out you liked Ren……well, even more admiration from me. Thank you Justin. 🤘😀