TheBlackSpeed Reacts to Halftime by Ren! Let's chat about hip-hop, music, and the fandom.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

The Ren fans are back in full effect. Hey, I've missed you guys. :) I haven't responded yet, but I'm reading yall's comments. I appreciate everyone who's been open, honest, and taking the time to actually write a heartfelt thought and not just be upset. I truly am myself in every video and I'm glad it's (mostly) received well. I can't help it, and I like what yall comment too much. Keep it coming. Thank you.

[@MicheleRaeF]

Much ❤️!

[@hazmania]

@@MicheleRaeFditto!💋🌸

[@scottywalknroll]

Be yourself and honest m8 I love the reactions videos but they are out there now to please and less about true reactions but I still watch all the same lol keep it real 💯🙏☘️🔥🍻✌️

[@Ericsaidful]

For me, the question is why do black hip hop talking heads and artists (most don’t do this) still say Eminem can’t be considered one of the greats? Because he’s white. There is still a huge preoccupation with skin color but I think it comes down to relatability for a lot of people. Maybe white fans of Ren can better relate to REN’s music more so than they can relate to Nas? So there isn’t a ton of crossover because culturally, there are differences, even if the style of music is the same. I think that’s why Ronnie has hit it off, despite being around since 2004. His shit is so relatable regardless of your cultural background that people have come to him. Part of it is the content but then you get the mixing of genres and that is really the hook set for new fans that typically wouldn’t listen to his style of music. Personally, I don’t like Ren because I don’t usually like hip hop. I grew up in a small town in the southeast and I relate far more to most rock music and its content than any hip hop that I’ve heard. Ronnie raps and sings about mental and emotional health which is something everyone can relate to. From going to prison/jail, drug addiction, and being an all around crazy fucking teen and twenty something adult to really focusing on his craft. Again, relatable to all.

[@sigally]

​@@Ericsaidfuljust wanted to let you know that Ren doesn't only do hip hop. More of his catalog is song with guitar or piano, mixed rap plus song and his storytelling is unrivaled in this business with his trilogy Jenny and Screech, Money Game 1,2 and 3. He doesn't fit into any one genre. He has songs that relate to anyone who has struggled with anything. He has another catalog of music with the Big Push, a rock band.

[@Create834TY]

Renegade here. I used to say I didn't like rap. I started out liking it. Then things got violent and artists started being killed. And the mumbling started. I stopped listening to all rap. Ren reintroduced me. I love Ren's rapping because I can understand his words even when he's spitting fast. I love all his flow changes. I love how he pulls bars from everywhere, pop culture, history, literature, science, religions, and personal experiences. I love his humor and intelligence. That is why I'm a renegade and I've a new found respect for rap.

[@emmajones1745]

Well said ❤

[@ultraredd]

Ok, I'm going to answer your question honestly. I came up with rock, metal, punk and goth. Rap and hip hop were in their early days. They were in my orb but at that time, I had difficulty relating to the subject matter so I couldn't relate much. There were a few songs I knew because they were heavily played so I heard them all the time. When gangsta rap came out, that really put me behind the curve, because my neighborhood wasn't a "war zone." I could only imagine what the people they spoke of were going through. If you had asked me if I liked rap and hip hop back then, I would've said "no, not really." Fast forward to 2023 when the power of a thumbnail image sucked me into watching Hi Ren totally cold. For me, that was 9 minutes of performance art that resonated with me. At the end, my brain asked myself what I had just watched so I watched it a few more times. I get mental health issues.✔️ There's something relatable to me there. I listened to more of Ren's music and like it but he covers many genres. Then came the reaction community which was a section of YT that was new to me. So in the spirit of keeping an open mind, I watched the Ren reactions from the content creators who knew how to break down rap and hip hop which opened my mind to learning about rhyme schemes, bars and flow. The more I learn, the more I appreciate the genre. I've since listened to a few other rappers with a new appreciation. I continue to keep an open mind and learn. When Ren announced that he was going to drop a Nas retake, I listened to Nas' song a few times first for context. Then I listened to Ren's. I wanted to see the similarities and differences. Yes, I'd consider myself a RENagade because I really like a lot of Ren's music and part of that is because he's multi-genre and hella talented. I don't blindly like every single song but then again I don't like every song from any artist. Some hit and some miss. I'm really glad that Ren opened a door for me to the familiar and unfamiliar so I can broaden my musical experience. I never thought I'd start such a musical journey from clicking on one powerful thumbnail image but I'm here for it. 🖤

[@YorkshireRippler]

Excellent response and i dare say this is similar for many Ren fans

[@ultraredd]

@@YorkshireRippler ❤️

[@seagull01-cp8pb]

I can so relate to this response. I got into the very political rap like disposable heros of hypocrisy but couldn’t relate to gangster rap that followed. Rap dropped off my notice until Ren. I still don’t like a lot of Rap.🤷‍♀️👍🦇

[@FaerieCastle]

Yep. This is very similar for me as well. Although I listened to some rap and hip hop back in the early 90s and earlier and it just fell off my playlist when I had kids. *shrug*

[@kazpwright]

I couldn't have said it any better!

[@Hexenkind1]

Why some people might said that they didn't like rap before: Maybe because the mainstream stuff they heard has lyrics that they massively dislike. Or the attitude of certain rappers, all of that. It can put you off. Ren is different to that in many ways.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

All those are valid points. I think my question was more posed from the stance of there are even some songs of Ren I don't like, and if those were the first songs I've heard, I would've been put off, and then potentially never gave him another try. And what a loss that would've been. That was more the purpose of me asking. But those are valid, and I could see why if all you heard, all day, every day, was that same style of rap, you'd be like "nah this isn't it". So what a breath of fresh air Ren would be. Makes sense.

[@Hexenkind1]

@@TheBlackSpeed Just my assumption I have to say. I am someone who never would discount an entire genre. And I haven't, ever. But many people do if they have some "bad experiences". That is just how people "tick" many times.

[@Parula06]

Truth. If I first came upon rap via mumble rap, I wouldn't have pursued the art form at all.

[@greenmonster4918]

​@@TheBlackSpeedtraditionally, it isn't how music was consumed. It is much easier now to sample anything you want, but with having to purchase albums, or relying on radio, exploring genres was hard. More precisely, it was easier to stick with what you were comfortable with. And I'm sure most people have been exposed to rap that they do like, but continue to say they don't like rap, because a lot of other rap they were exposed to, or how it was marketed, or how it was stereotyped was off putting. I think a lot of the 'I don't like rap' Ren fans are Gen X & older (Gen X actually being the start of rap & hip hop, but it was much more niche), and Ren is breaking thru those stereotypes by reaching people's souls, making them WANT to give rap a chance.

[@Ericsaidful]

@@TheBlackSpeedI don’t like rap, traditionally, unless it’s saying something. King Von, murderer he may be, knew how to tell a story. His beats also were really, really catchy. Eminem, obviously, great story teller. I never got into the Lil’ Wayne shit because I felt it was too pop like and he wasn’t really saying much. I want people who have something to say, and I want to see them put it in a way that is great. Ronnie Radke comes to mind. In Watch the World Burn there was not a single wasted word. Every single word in that song meant something to him and you could tell. This shit from Ren about being a fry or Big Mac or whatever? That ain’t it. He’s got a chill, fun, distracting from typical life vibe but I’ll listen to books or read for that in my life.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

If there is one thing I can count on from Ren fans, it's to be honest with me. Whether you like what I say, misunderstand me, understand me, love my honesty, wish I could relate more, and anything else under the sun... Yall come out and show not just your appreciation for Ren, but hell in a way for me. You're letting me speak my mind and rather than vehemently disagreeing, you're offering perspective. That is all I wanted, and you delivered. If you've been a subscriber for a while, I appreciate you rocking with me for the long haul. If you're not here, know I really appreciate respectful honesty in all ways and I hope you'll continue showing that to me as well. Enjoy the other videos coming, we have a ton of good ones dropping. :)

[@nodakfam9604]

Love the dialogue you illicit here and in my mind what reactions and social media should be used for. So many comments on here and your interactions are spot on. Thanks for this approach. You get my follow and I look forward to your perspectives.

[@Charyl.w.an.A]

Subbing now to show you some love

[@266226]

Ren fan (found him shortly before you) and first time seeing one of your reactions, but I'd say keep it 100% true to you. People like different things for different reasons, and the lack of understanding that is a big problem in society today.

[@Lotus.Lottie]

Not strictly true, to stereotype the majority of Ren supporters. A good proportion of us were always hip hop fans

[@rebeccalauren1992]

He specifically mentioned fans of Ren who said they don't like rap though! A lot of people say they don't in his comments. So he wasn't stereotyping, just addressing that large majority that he's heard from.

[@Lotus.Lottie]

@@rebeccalauren1992 I get that, but it did I did sense a little stereotyping from his delivery. That is my perception

[@LHartman-gj7dl]

Exactly. And the fact that Ren is introducing a whole new audience to rap and hip hop can only be a good thing, isn't it?

[@Lotus.Lottie]

@@LHartman-gj7dl of course, let's widen people's musical appreciation, I have no argument on that, I support. However I stand by my interpretation of the reactors delivery of his comment. And everyone is entitled to that. Without shade on him.

[@LHartman-gj7dl]

@@Lotus.Lottie I'm just not keen on sweeping generalisations.

[@PoliticallyPink]

I can tell you from my perspective that Ren got me *interested* in music again. The last time I heard a new rap song that I liked must have been in the late 90's or early 2000's. I see it as a huge positive that Ren has turned people, including me, on to new music.

[@sputukgmail]

That is an excellent point. I too had practically given up on modern music (a few exceptions) - and it is Ren that has made me realise there are a LOT of amazing talented artists out there, grafting away - you just have to look as what gets served up to the mainstream, is not it.

[@Emi-70]

First of all, I think it's great that you addressed this point. Because this is the only way it can be discussed. I'm not a fan of generalizations myself. In every genre of music there are great artists with more or less talent or skill. The extent to which an artist touches and inspires someone is of course always a very subjective decision. Ren has a very diverse fan base, which I think is a good thing. This is where all generations, styles of music, skin colors, beliefs and sexualities come together. Each and every one of us Renegades (as well as each human being) has our own background, story and corresponding life experiences. People like Ren invite you to explore new worlds. That's how I see it. So far my rap world has consisted more of something like Beasty Boys, Run DMC, Cypress Hill and various crossover bands (like Rage against the Machine, Clawfinger or Bodycount). But thanks to Ren and channels like RikaShae, I'm currently learning a lot of things about hip hop that I didn't know yet. And so we can all learn from each other.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

And I definitely don't want people to think I'm generalizing, that's not what I'm doing. It's just there is a camera in my face, I'm addressing the world, and you only have so many attempts and ways of articulating. So, this was the best way to do it. I'm happy the majority of people seem to know I'm not trying to do that, so thank you. Also, your comment is spot-on. I like the idea of it being a doorway, and what you make of the choice of going through that door or not, or picking a different door, is on you. As I put in my description and said in my video, it's all about education. I'm never going to think I know more than someone else and I hope someone knows my line of questioning comes with that same energy. It's always to grow.

[@tonyestes2309]

Isn’t it great when you have a biased opinion on something and then something comes along that shifts your opinion completely and opens your mind to new possibilities? That’s why REN is amazing because he’s completely unique and different than anyone else I’ve ever come across. I think it’s cool he’s changing mind sets and bringing a new appreciation to rap from people that would otherwise never venture down that path.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I think that is absolutely cool as well. That people didn't stay ignorant and close-minded but instead worked through someone, like Ren, to be the key to open their minds. Completely agree.

[@comrie22]

I wouldn't say they were ignorant or close minded. We don't all grow up in America 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Should I have said woefully ignorantly? No, if you don't know, then you don't know. But if you knew, and willingly chose to not educate yourself, nah I don't think being close-minded (or ignorant) is okay. I wasn't tasking that to people who literally don't have access. I'm about to drop some UK drill videos lol. I've NEVER heard of these dudes, since I'm in America. I wouldn't call myself ignorant for not knowing them. Perhaps it's just not translating well through the comment section.

[@comrie22]

I think I understand what you are saying lol. But I'm 39, from Scotland and I loved listening to rap growing up. But I also loved all kinds of music, it wasn't a cultural thing for me, but a choice. I listen to what moves me, which happens to include a shit load of rap, because it's poetry to my ear. I liked Nas years ago, but with Ren, a lot of what he releases just hits me in the gut, which doesn't happen to me often. I've heard a few reactors say they didn't like Nas due to tribal alliances, which just makes me sad, because art should transcend all. I think the same goes for Ren and it makes me sad because I know what they are consciously overlooking, just to make a stand for what is ingrained for them 🤷🏻‍♀️.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I feel you on that and see what you're getting at. I wasn't trying to call you or anyone ignorant just because of lack of access, so my B if it came off that way. You kind of hit the point I was making, that consciously overlooking. Yeah like what a waste to do that lol and for what. THAT'S that ignorance I was talking about.

[@GarnetJ]

I respect your candidness. I have a huge issue with Ren fans going into the comment section of the original artist without the due respect that should be paid to that artist. It’s a poor reflection on Ren if people are disrespectful or act like Ren is better. And I also don’t want you or other reactors to just pretend they like everything Ren does. I personally was a fan of rap and hip hop back in the 90s / 2000s. And I love a lot of the hip hop beats. Where it lost me a bit was with some of the subject matter or the styles / flows that became popular. For instance, I don’t like mumble rap or the more monotone styles. I prefer a more melodic rap style with different flows and cadence switch ups, which is why I think Ren appeals to “non rap fans.” I know not all rap is about “b*tches and hoes”, violence, or a gangster lifestyle, but at least with Ren, he usually has something to communicate. Or with a track like this, I enjoy his word play. But what makes me really enjoy this track is the fact that you can tell how much of an inspiration Nas has been to Ren. I like that he paid tribute to the greats and wanted to give Nas his flowers while he is still with us 💐 Ren isn’t putting himself in the same league as Nas, but he’s gonna keep grinding and honoring the culture the best he can.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

This. I love this. I can absolutely respect the man while still not liking everything he does and then feel OKAY with calling that out. You're spot-on. I appreciate you felt invited by the honesty. That's all I ever want. I don't want people watching this and going "Yeah, I already know he's going to like that no matter what." No. I want you to NOT know how I'm going to react and enjoy the journey with me. Isn't that more engaging, and just overall more fun lol? Anyway, I like your thoughts and you were on the money. Thank you.

[@TealOmen]

I also agree as a RENegade that comments like that are disrespectful. I think all artists should be shown respect , even if it is not to your taste . It takes bravery to be vulnerable enough to put something you have creatively invested in out in the public domain.

[@Night_Parade]

I think Ren and reactors helped educate and helped many of us to see the artistry and understand the nuances of the poetry and the culture. I have a far greater appreciation for rap today and really enjoy discovering this “new to me” art. I still hate country though. maybe it’s just the mainstream shit that I hate, regardless of genre. I want risk and I want art.

[@lisas6388]

I agree with you 100%, especially with the country music. I loath it!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

The country music comments crack me up and was not a side thing I thought I'd be reading in the comments haha. I can appreciate this perspective, however. Thank you for sharing it with me.

[@Parula06]

I think you're correct, a bunch of people have had their minds opened to rap thru Ren. I think it's terrific that so many folks are finally starting recognize this art form, thanks to Ren's love of it and his sheer charisma in performing it. Huge Ren fan here, and I LOVE this song. Also a Nas fan, so I've liked the original for many years. Speaking for myself, I'm totally down with you being honest expressing your views. I know there are reactors who have jumped on the Ren train just because he brings a shit ton of views to their channel, and it's pretty obvious. Ren is a musical treasure chest IMO, best artist to come along decades, and you won't be disappointed going into his catalog. The Big Push is also a terrific band, talent out the wazoo. Have fun! Love your channel ❤️

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I really appreciate you were able to connect what I'm saying. That I don't do these Ren videos or do these react videos for views and subs. If I did, this entire video would've been about how amazing the song was, but I instead wanted to have a dialogue, something I don't think many other reactors do at all. So thank you for calling that out and giving me that space. And I appreciated what you said, that is more in-line with me than you may think.

[@LHartman-gj7dl]

I've been a massive hip hop fan since before most reactors were born and now I'm a Ren fan too. 🖤

[@LHartman-gj7dl]

And as a Nas fan who bought Illmatic on vinyl when it first came out I think this retake is fire.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Anyone who is out here still collectin' vinyl is a cool cat to me. I can dig it. But seriously, yeah I too also thought he did it justice and was real cool with blending his own cultural relatability to it.

[@CaptainDonato22]

I’m a huge Ren fan. I use to like rap… back in the 80s, 90s, early 2000s. Then after that I couldn’t stand most rap and haven’t since those times (some exceptions in there). I pretty much have only listened to old school for the last couple of decades, or listened to someone that truly stood out in their creativity - but I hardly listen at all anymore. Ren helped me like and enjoy rap again. His voice constantly changes, uses various inflections, his flows change, he’s extremely intelligent, pays homage, raps about many different topics, adds in his own singing/samples, produces most of his own tracks, uses more musicality and instruments, and just has fun/creativity with it. So much modern rap just sounds the exact same, with no changes in voice/inflections, mundane flows/topics/lyrics, and just seems same old - same old. Though there are some independent, underground, modern rappers that I have started to enjoy here and there. But I just got so tired of hearing a “freaking sprinkler” as the only resemblance of a beat, or music instrument, and the same monotone and often auto-tuned vocals. So yeah, rap held no interest for more in recent times, until Ren came and did his own thing (which, as a whole, nobody else is currently doing or has done before). But I 💯 get what you’re saying and completely respect it, and the whole questioning of some of Ren’s fans’ takes on rap. Just like I respect others that don’t care for Ren’s rap/music, and/or those that like rap that I absolutely can’t stand.

[@jmsthiessen]

Thank you!!! I appreciate both. What I've been disappointed about is how (for the most part) reactors who say they love Nas don't catch the multiple callbacks to Nas' original within Ren's retake. So, they're huge Nas fans, but don't catch the ways Ren gave respect by using Nas' lyrics as inspiration for his own. [Nas' opening verse is flexing|Ren's opening verse is flexing. Ren's bleeped lyric, as well as the lines; "Sick shit and quick wit makes girls wet and dicks stiff" is a call back to Nas' line; "Versatile, my style switches like a f****t But not a bisexual, I'm an intellectual" And Ren's respect for Biggie, Mac, Pac, and Lil' Peep is an echo of Nas' line; This goes out to Manhattan, the Island of Staten Brooklyn and Queens is living fat and The Boogie Down, enough props, enough clout Ill will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out] The one issue I've noticed is that a large part of what set Nas apart in the 90's is his cultural commentary, which Ren has ackowledged is outsie his perview. In other words, some reactors can only appreciate Halftime within its temporal/cultural context and have anchored the sonics to that historical moment. What Ren did was introduce a new generation to the early 90's Hip Hop sound with updated and personal bars. Apparently, for some, that's not allowed. As to folks who didn't like rap and now do because of Ren. I believe what they mean, but are likely too nervous to admit, is that they never felt they were culturally "allowed" to like rap until they heard Ren. My hope is that we can all learn to focus on the character of the artist and the quality of their art instead of the group they're part of by virtue of characteristics none of us can choose (like our skin colour, or where we were born). I'm so very glad that you pointed out the obvious fact that many reactors clearly "like" everything they react to, which is statistically impossible (e.g., Love Music IV and Uninvited are so-so, and I think everyone knows that).

[@MicheleRaeF]

I love this comment but you lost me at the end just because you think 2 songs are so so doesn't mean that they are so so because your opinion is just that. I actually think all his songs except maybe a few older ones I haven't really gave a full listen to are fire so if I had done reactions I'm sure people would say I fake reactions because who could possibly like every song. Well I do so far.

[@TobiiRheaStarr]

Love music 4 is 🔥 3 and 4 are my faves, uninvited cracks me up I love it. Whereas my least fave (I do actually love every song Ren has) are Sickboi, Animal Flow and Su*cide whereas they’re a lot of peoples faves.

[@flyingbinman]

Yep. Pretty much this. Thanks for the lyrical breakdown. I wouldn't have got that ( haven't listened to Illmatic in an age )

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

Yep, quite honestly, I don't enjoy half of the Sick Boi album (but I'm 100% ride or die for everything he put a full music video to; I can't communicate how important the rest of that album is to me). I never listen to those tracks, and unless it's a FAVOURITE reactor, I don't even watch reaction videos of them. I don't think that means they're *bad,* they're just tracks that don't appeal to me. But Ren has absolutely opened my world to more rap than I was interested in before I found Hi Ren a year ago.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

See. This. I'm almost going to pin this comment. This is so damn spot-on you almost are giving ME goosebumps. This is what I was trying to get out in the video and you just absorbed it so eloquently. All I am asking (which I will say 99% of the people are also being kind about) is did you respect this genre, this craft, the pain people put into hip-hop (a genre many of said they don't like) before Ren, and if so are you giving it its due now? You got it. I appreciate your breakdown. There are some reactions I watched where they kind of just blah blah blah'd their way through and I'm like..wait. Did you even listen to the original? Do you even know what Ren is talking about? Do you even appreciate what your favorite artist appreciates? I mean you don't have to, but like talk about it. Help me understand. I like understanding. Anyway, thanks for this explanation. This was dope, and you did it in a respectful manner. And you were spot-on about the cultural commentary, which I'm learning for many is the disconnect and I need to be more understanding of that. Much love to you.

[@supertuscans9512]

I think the point you miss is this. Rap obviously originated in the black community and then rappers like EM made it more of a crossover to a wider audience. The remaining problem for many however is that a lot of gangster rap is so disconnected from the lives and experiences of much of the wider audience, that a lot of it doesn’t resonate. REN’s own rap, typically deals with experiences closer to their own. I really think it’s that simple, in a word, ‘disassociation’ coupled with the fact a lot of rappers can’t cope with melody and rap together.

[@josephdaughtry1371]

Agree with most of that, but I'd add other examples like "Coast Contra" that are bringing lyrics back in true form...

[@BrainZ491]

This!! but I'm also sure there was a lot of rap that did that already. But couple that with the fact that Ren has a lot of singing style music and eases you into rap, it creates a unique blend that can be more accessible for those who might not usually listen to rap, bridging genres. Also mixing the genres is just fun to listen to.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hmm, I can agree with this in a point. I would say I don't know if the disconnect is that it's disconnected, ironically, because a lot of fans of rap grew up in that environment. I only got into rap because I could relate to it. Even to this day, I know people I could call right now that still do what many "gangster rappers" are doing. Doesn't make it great, it just makes it my reality. I will agree, however, that the more people who DON'T rap that way and who speak from personal experience, it helps bridge that gap and that "disconnect", as you put it", to introduce itself to a wider audience. So I don't know if it's that I missed the point, or that many people aren't considering other points of view. I appreciate you taking the time to respond all the same.

[@manuelper]

Before Eminem, don't forget Beastie Boys. They were way before him.

[@samuelsomething6059]

You need to go further back than Eminem… Rick Rubin, Run D.M.C. LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys probably played a bigger role in helping hip hop crossover. I know when I was in high school Run D.M.C. covering Aerosmith’s Walk this Way was HUGE!!! It even helped revitalize Aerosmith’s career. (By the way, hated the Beastie Boys when they first came out - they were so obnoxious. Paul’s Boutique changed my opinion though.) Don’t really understand the “disconnect” argument though, like any other form of entertainment, it’s as much about escapism as it is about identifying. I mean “Godfather” is one of the greatest movies ever made… can most people relate to the mafia? Probably not.

[@tomraymond9795]

I'm a middle aged white guy from the UK that grew up listening to everything from Mozart to Miles Davis to Marvin Gaye to Muddy Waters to Fela Kuti to Nina Simone to the Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd to Rage against the Machine to Cypress Hill to The Prodigy to... you get the idea. I like Ren because hes creative, expressive and appears to be as broadly and variedly into music as myself. He's clearly very talented and makes music as an independent artist that is highly unlikely to have been supported by a traditional record deal. I haven't liked all of his music, particularly some of his popier zanier rap stuff and he can be borderline corny at times but I think thats the stage school vibe which brings strong acting and performance benefits. Overall hes 🔥 to me which of course matters only to me and effects noone else meaningfully! Apart from maybe Ren because my views and streams help pay his way. I never stopped listening to rap and other forms of mcing and spoken word. Illmatic changed my view of rap at the time and sent me looking for more story telling and narrative tracks. He was obviously compared to Jay but I thought he was grittier but smooth and intricate with it, like a cross between KRS One, DMX and Rakim. From there I went mostly underground or alternative and backpack as it was more relateable to me (like Aesop Rock, Mr Lif, Rodney P, Roots Manuva, the Pharcyde, Blak Twang, Tricky etc) For current artists I'm as likely or more likely (than Ren) to have artists in my playlists like Little Simz, Kendrick, Ghetts, Immortal Technique, Pete and Bas 😂 etc or away from rap, Chris Stapleton, Ali Farka Toure, Nubian Twist, Portico Quartet, etc BUT he does make it in there (which is a compliment because i'm picky and get bored of an artist easily) and I always check out his new stuff, particularly watching him as hes a great performer who creates strong visuals. I don't know how typical a Ren fan I am but I would say this: If I met Ren I'd be more interested in spitting bars and jamming than hearing about his lifestory. The man has chops in many styles and I respect it! In terms of him bringing fans to rap, I suspect he brought fans to other genres too like Reggae, soul, rock etc as hes very skilled and mixes it up ALOT! If you read this whole thing, get a life! 😂 just kidding, congrats on being one of only 1% of humanity that retains more than a 30 second attention span...

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Haha. Believe it or not, maybe I'm a sadist, but I read all this. And you kind of touched on some points and opinions I've made myself to others, and how I feel internally about him at times. I really appreciate you taking the time, brotha.

[@tomraymond9795]

@@TheBlackSpeed Straight back at you bro! appreciate you taking the time to read it and reply! 👊 Subbed as well btw, I like an honest communicator that makes time for people so props to you!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

THIS SHIT TAKES ME SO LONG TO COMMENT TO EVERYONE! Lol but I like some of the ones I read and have to take the time back. Glad I could earn your sub. :)

[@rebeccalauren1992]

I love that you're raising this question. You have to respect the original genre and music source, just like Ren does. You can't say you dislike rap/hip hop in one breath but then like music like this! As always I appreciate your authentic take and that you're not afraid to ask the hard questions ❤I'm already enjoying reading the responses in your comments

[@ProsperoFinch]

I’m 41, and my introduction to rap was freaking MC Hammer way back in the day. Now, I was a little kid, and the music I listened to was mostly what my parents listened to, so classic rock, Motown, and popular music of the time. Rap wasn’t really on the menu. I didn’t really learn and explore rap music until I was in my teens, and even then it wasn’t until college before I started to really dig into the history of rap, and discovered Nas, Biggie, 2Pac, as well as the greats who came before them, like KRS-One, Rakim, Slick Rick, etc. And honestly, I have to give credit to Rage Against the Machine as well as the Gorillaz for being gateways for me to discover artists I was never exposed to prior. I can’t say I wouldn’t have discovered EPMD, MF Doom, or Del the Funky Homosapien and the rest of the Heiroglyphics crew eventually on my own, but RAtM and Gorillaz certainly put me on that path. I don’t live, breathe, and eat hip hop, but I do consider myself a fan, and I liked Nas, and rap in general, long before Ren came into my awareness. And I’m definitely a Ren fan. Do I think he’s the greatest? No. But he’s good, he’s got a unique style, a unique story, and a unique voice, and ultimately I respect that. He’s authentic, and it comes through in his music; skills aside, the authenticity is what makes the greats the greats. Nas, Rakim, Wu-Tang, Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, OutKast, Biggie, Em, Pac, Busta, all of them (too many to mention) have that sense of authenticity, and I feel Ren has that too.

[@Pablopax4]

I'm old, I go back to the 80's with Rap, I like Ren's singing more, I find his Rapping voice can be a bit abrasive but I like this, he sits back and rides the beat in a more conversational tone.

[@Hexenkind1]

Unofficial lyrics: "Let loose in the booth and I came to introduce the High proof juice like a flaming sambuca Halftime 3-point hoop, hallelujah Abused oblongata and I severed a medulla 'Cause rap without Ren is like a skull without a brain, dude Or like a- with no one to complain to Hockey without ice or China without rice The Bible without Christ, vindaloo with no spice Playing snakes and ladders with no dice Day without night, like Mike without an earlobe bite I keep it tight, left-right, fake, dodge and evade An uppercut, fuck 'em up in any various ways Nеfarious gaze moving through precarious days When wе're moving through the bubble troubled air in my veins Librarian brain, pull up a barbarian slain Performing like I'm global warming, music making it rain I'm pimpin' my pain, prostitute of all that's insane Put my problems on the paper and the sales will raise The sails will rise, pirate with a patch on his eye Get ya hooked up on the music sailor, aye, aye, aye It's like rats to the music when I'm feedin 'em pied It's pi(e)-rats can't relax I'm the waviest guy Like yo, rats bring the bubonic flow Move the tectonic plates when I step to the show So cold, I know a couple people don't fuck with it They can just suck on it, zip it, then go, thanks, bro Eenie, meenie, miney, mo, I'm shining like a diamond though When pressure makes a rhyming diamond, this was by design, ya know An isotope, a proton and a neutron in the nuclei And split an atom in a fraction, a reaction supersize Me and I supersize my order Fries on the side I'm a big whopping author Big Mac, rest in peace, B.I.G, rest in peace, Mac Rest in peace, Pac, rest in peace, Peep, rest in peace, rap We lose all the greats like that So put respect upon they names while they still intact That's why I rap upon this beat that was deep for Nas I might never reach the level, I'll salute with bars I'm coming and bringing the DP and when they are singing the bees knees What a ridiculous MC sound so meticulous, repeat When I am spitting improperly, proper biology No one can follow me, what an anomaly Sick shit and quick wit makes girls wet and dicks stiff I'm so tongue-in-cheek with my tongue in your cheek I never sleep cause death is the cousin of sleep I never rest cause sleep is the cousin of death So save your breath, stop the tape, press pause, and eject"

[@QuentinPink]

When I was growing up, where I lived you were either a "rock fan" or a "rap fan", and I happened to be part of the rock group. After high school, I finally started branching out more, but was behind on all the well known artists, etc. It was really only years later when I came across Ren that I started to really dig into MUSIC in general again. It got me motivated to listen to tons of music I hadn't previously. With that said, Ren didn't "get me into rap", but he did revive my love of music enough to get me interested in branching out and listening to different things.

[@yonahgrossman7319]

I'm one of those people who didn't like rap before Ren, but I had a similar experience with opera, and in a way I think it's the same in that both rap and opera require a person to tune their ear in a new way, particularly for people like me that grew up on rock and pop. Long before Ren I had a girlfriend who loved opera, which to me had always sounded like piercing shrieks, and I gave her A LOT of grief about it, but as she kept playing it in the car and at home, I started to hear parts I actually liked, and then began to appreciate some of the complexities, and today, I actually buy tickets to my favorite operas. Growing up, rap, like opera, just hit my ear as too different from what I was used to, and it took Ren, whose non-rap I liked, to listen to enough to tune my ear, and then go out and explore other rappers. In both cases, I didn't know what I was missing. Both sounded like noise to my unschooled ear. Sometimes it just takes the right introduction. However we get there, the more people that can appreciate an art form, the better for that art form. I'll always thank both Ren and my ex girlfriend for exposing me enough to allow me to expand my tastes. It never would have happened on its own.

[@thenuttypuffer]

im a 57yr old hiphop head.. and thankfull to have grown up from cypress hill n nwa etc. i hear a lot of the OG's in rens work.. the boy has barz..

[@ArtForAnarchists]

I have been a fan of rap going back to Run DMC through the birth of east west coast styles and feuds and I remember distinctly several times experiencing paradigm shifts when the greats broke through historical bars set by the pioneers of rap. They are moments when it feels like in the music was a profound newness. Melody in Tupac, Rock sampling in Run DMC, Storytelling in Biggy, and the Lyrical Miracle technical revolution of Nas! Jay Z brought Rap Toward Pop sensibility! Em’s Revolution for me was subject matter-the crossover potential of topics to reach wider audiences. All of this said. Ren is a gifted chameleon with an “Librarian brain.” I think he has adopted the contributions of all of these goats and pioneers and very astutely assembled an ongoing body of work that demonstrates the breath of his understanding. To be honest across all of his cannon I see first and foremost a passion for experimentation. He is a genre bender in music comparable across the arts to Picasso’s relentless push to advance art historical styles. I personally believe that Hi Ren is REN’s greatest contribution to rap so far and it is a sign of how he will advance the technical aspects of rap as he continues to develop what one day will become his signature style or styles-again I refer to Picasso’s invention of Cubism and collage in two dimensional art. Picasso was heavily influenced by science developments in particular the early advances of physics. Notice how Ren has a lot of science bars. I’ve said before Rens goal seems to me to develop a means for delivering a larger philosophical movement he has a fierce intellectual capacity and fiery vision that is rooted in many kinds of socially relevant justice campaigns-I think he has more in common with Bob Dylan than Nas but Nas was to black culture what Dylan was to Folk rock. There is a direct lineage running through all of rens influences and that is poetical means to create a mode in music that can effect global awareness and ultimately long lasting change. It is anyone’s failure if they get stuck on a song or a rap because genre is not the point but bending them across his career of experimentation until he achieves that ultimate goal of a methodology for change in the form of Music with a capital M

[@laurafromliverpool]

THIS is why i love you, you never try to spin us bullshit.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

And THAT is why I also love YOU. :) Thanks for appreciating that and engaging.

[@kthignight24]

I know a lot of what Ren is trying to do is start conversations. To get people talking about important things in a productive way. I think you are doing that too, so you guys have that in common. As a creative person w/ ADHD, I tend to go to music for stimulation. Something that will make me feel something or make me think. Some new combination of things I haven't heard before. Ren is the epitamy of this. I love that I never know what to expect from him and that he's constantly challenging genre boundries and people's expectations. I also love his authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable. I have tried to dive more into rap to find something that moves me or helps me see a new perspective on something and for the most part have not found that for me personally (yet). A big exception is Lupe Fiasco. He talks about difficulties in the inner city, but in a way that I (white suburban guy) can feel and understand and I find that extremely valuable. Love the conversation!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Love the mention of Lupe Fiasco, in my top 3 of all-time. That is a great point that this was a rapper who helped you bridge the gap from a relatability standpoint, and just an overall relative standpoint. Didn't think of it that way. Appreciate that perspective, man.

[@Charyl.w.an.A]

Great Reaction from a Ren lover! 👏🏼 I grew up listening to rap but haven’t listened to rap for 20 years.

[@grunkert]

When I was getting into hip hop when i was like 9yo (as metal fan). First I was on Eminem and Dre. Then, someone told me to listen to illmatic and every changed, it opened me up to wu tang, tribe called quest, run dmc, biggie, pac, snoop, outkast, all the legends. I think this is a great tribute to Nas. Coming from a white British kid from London haha

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Haha hey nothing wrong with that. You're from where you're from and still love the artistry. I can dig it!

[@weederfish9254]

I was a metal fan at school, but got into the daisy age

[@rachelpetty649]

I subscribed, because you are blatantly honest. I appreciate and respect that. That being said, I love music all genres. I am a fan of Ren, he is extremely talented. I support his message as well. I will be watching more of your reactions. Thanks for keeping it 💯 the first rapper I heard was Too Short ~ Life Is Too Short

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I appreciate I can earn your sub, and glad you liked the video! :) I hope to see you in comments of my other videos and interesting in hearing your takes! Haha Too Short, omg that takes me back.

[@salishseamermaid]

Great reaction, as always, and really interesting comment section to read through because it's something I've puzzled over as a fan of most of Ren's music. I'm 54, white, female. I grew up listening to my parents' music, which was pretty wide ranging, everything from opera to Nina Simone to Motown to bluegrass to Janice Joplin. That led me on my own to rock, new wave, some punk. I didn't become very aware of hip-hop and rap until the late eighties, and honestly it just never clicked for me. Had nothing against it, but melody-driven music appealed to me more, and I couldn't relate to the lyrics. Living in Seattle, I've been listening to KEXP for decades, where you might hear the Star Wars theme, Ozzy Osbourne, the National and Kendrick Lamar all in one set. It has given me a respect for all genres, but rap still doesn't grab me much. I think Ren's clever lyricism is what appeals to me consistently across all the genres he tackles, and two things about his rapping in particular: it's still pretty melodic, and his enunciation is super clear so even when he speeds up, I can catch most of what he's saying.. When he does these retakes, if it's a song i don't know I make sure to listen to the original a few times before I listen to Ren's version. I've got to admit, Halftime didn't make me a Nas fan. The beat is FANTASTIC; the delivery is skillful, if not exciting to me; the lyrics? Meh. Nothing against him, or his fans, and to be fair, I was never his target audience. I can respect music without loving it, and I respect Ren for pushing so many of us to broaden our musical horizons.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

The target audience thing is another good point that I think coincides with the relatability piece people talk about. But then you get that attitude that "Ren is for everyone" then it's like..Okay, is that true? Beats me. A good discussion to have. Regardless, I hear what you're saying and that's a fair point. There is a lot to him that you could dissect and piece apart that would make you gravitate towards him over others, and that's for sure understandable. I appreciate you being a fan and always sticking around for my reacts. It helps makes these comfortable and fun to do.

[@digitalutopia1]

Definitely a hip-hop fan here, along with many other genres. As far as Ren goes- like most other fans, I was introduced to him through Hi Ren, which I felt was a cool performance piece - almost like a one man play, which is impressive in itself. But what really struck me is here's this guy who's not only impressive with a guitar, and can really spit, but he can also sing? What the hell is this unicorn? After going through his back catalog- and his newer stuff I'm like, this is a guy who can drop a ballad like the greatest of Country singers, can embody the likes of Sting and Marley, and go toe to toe with Eminem?! Why is this guy slumming on KZbin while hip-hop has devolved into repeating mumbled shit on a beat, while country, rock and pop has turned into nothing more than a madlib fueled product out of a factory?

[@TheBlackSpeed]

That is actually a fair analogy that I'm surprised no one else has made yet. I agree with you on that. Thanks for that perspective.

[@mikegonzales4199]

I am absolutely guilty, you called it, I was a 65-year-old hater, who didn't understand & didn't care to, until that is I saw Hi Ren, & some of his rap, & then others, & more. And now I am amazed that Rap is so much more than I once thought. For a minute there I was my parents, God bless them though they didn't give my music a chance when I was young. Thank you for saying where the hogs ate the cabbage. Google it it's a real old timey saying.🙏🙏 (subbed) P.S. I've said it a hundred times, I toon in for your reaction, if I want to see mine, I'll look in the mirror.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I can't tell you how much I smiled reading this. Just the honesty and truth in it. Thank you for that, and thank you for the compliment too. ;) I enjoy talking to yall and glad we can keep doing this.

[@stoneoutdooradventures2286]

Growing up with metal music rap came hand in hand with metal fan's and as you get older you start to respect all genres.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

See, I was kind of the same. It was weird when I'd find the weird kids who didn't agree, as most metalheads and hip-hop fans knew we were more alike than different haha. All raging against the same damn machine.

[@stoneoutdooradventures2286]

@@TheBlackSpeed Absolutely...I think it's called being awake and not a follower of crowds 🤣 never been a sheep

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Haha let's go with that. And never that, we don't know how to be!

[@fracker8258]

11:46 your breath of fresh air amongst the reactors nothing against the other actors I watch them all too. Enjoy them. I enjoy yours as well. I’m also new subscriber to your channel From another video Your honesty and opinion, and openness to everyone else’s opinion is thoroughly needed on this platform good sir

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Aww, what video was it? Just curious. But glad you had a good time enough to sub, happy I earned it. :)

[@wayne3093]

I am old, cyrpess hill , nas ect, Ren is new but old style vibes no matter what art he is producing. He is also the most respectful person i have seen and he helps others.

[@Lift_Eachother_Up]

❤ I'm 38 and I have always enjoyed rap. I loved 2 pac. That's when I really fell in love with it. After about the early 2000s I wasn't liking the changes and it moving more towards mainstream less poetic to say more shake your butt. Then I found Eminem and I loved his music still not mainstream. I have since then liked yellawolf, Tom Macdonald but I didn't FEEL the music. It was extremely better than mainstream but not my 100 percent. So during all these years I was listening to other music I liked with was from all different genres but it all pretty much pre 2010s and back. So I had stopped listening to music as much bc it was more time consuming and hard to find anything I could listen to for more than 20 minutes. Than about 3 years ago I found Ren and instantly fell in love, I geeked out over most of his songs because I could FEEL his music which was so refreshing and I heard so many great sounds from all the music I loved over the years with his unique twist. I love listening to Ren bc I feel like he really loves and knows music, knows the greats of the genres not the popularity. And he is bringing it back to quality. With the CONCIOUS subjects of today like rap back in the day. I believe his lyrics and music will and is changing the world for the better because music is the only universal language and to be able to bring all of the so called founding fathers and mothers of music styles to the forefront today while talking about real shi* is what makes REN someone who I believe will In years from now be among one of the greats of this generation.

[@MizCriz46]

OK, I'm a 78 y.o. white woman. My musical tastes are fairly wide-ranging but, guess what, never liked or appreciated rap or hip hop. I discovered Ren & was absolutely captivated by this multitalented man. Because I loved Ren & wanted to know what he had to say, I listened to his rap. And I listened with reactors who educated me on rap & hip hop. (Also vocals, guitar, cinematogharphy & everything else he does.) What I came to is a genuine appreciation of rap as an artform. But appreciation does not mean that I now like it. (The same way I appreciate opera & metal as artforms but don't like them.) I tend to listen a couple of times, think OK I see what you did there & not listen again - even to Ren. But I'll listen to him sing - alone, with The Big Push & with others - again & again. So I fit in the category of loving Ren, not rap. BTW, I do go listen to anyone he references or recommends. My reactions have been everything from, "Oh, wow, thank you Ren!" to "Jeez Ren, you seriously lost me there."

[@TheBlackSpeed]

And that's a fair journey you've taken yourself down. That you recognized you weren't really a fan, albeit unfairly, time went by and you got a little educated, but now have a solidified understanding that it's not something you really like. But see, that's what it's about. That journey of getting you to that conclusion rather than blindly forming it. I can dig this perspective.

[@ChristineP-qp6vn]

Thanks, you asked a very good question when you said why have so many Ren fans said they were not into rap or hip-hop before Ren?I don’t have the answer for others, but I have an answer for my life. The rap and hip-hop I was mostly exposed to was on the radio or MTV. for the most part they did not stand up to what rap stands for. Rhyming and poetry. It was just repetitive sometimes nonsensical crap about money and women and violence. Should every hip-hop and rap song not brag of course not, but if that’s all it is over and over again and not done in an inventive way then it’s not for me. I wasn’t exposed to rappers like Nas. It was before people didn’t get the exposure they deserved due to their talent being squandered by big companies that tried to cookie cutter them. Also, we didn’t have social platforms that reached every corner of the world like KZbin back in the day. But regardless of that, at least now people that normally would not be exposed to such great artists have been introduced to them. Ren had something to do with that but even without him KZbin has allowed exposure to those artists as well. They normally wouldn’t get it back then now things are changing and I think that’s great. Ren wouldn’t have gotten the exposure. He deserves because he doesn’t fit the repetitive hook song that executives put out today. It’s not about art on the radio it’s about using a scientifically proven method of putting an earworm into your head so that you want to listen to the song not because it’s good but because it’s designed to make you listen. I’m now into immortal technique. Check him out. He does rap the way in my opinion, it should be done. He’s rhyming he’s doing poetry. A lot of his songs are very political. That’s what I personally like. And as I said above, that doesn’t mean every rapper has to do every song about serious stuff, it’s great to have something that’s bragged or sexy or funny, but if that’s all it is all the time, no.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hey I appreciate you taking the time to type this out. Know I read it, received it, and appreciate it. :) I actually know and am a little fan of Immortal. Not a big fan of others, but there is a ton of talent there. And I agree, I like the range of art, the range of topics, and the range of emotions this can evoke. I can appreciate it's based on your upbringing and what you're now introduced to that you have that open mind from it. I actually for one appreciate it!

[@johnsearing9736]

I grew up in the south , playing basketball all thru middle and high school so rap was just how we all warmed up and still to this day 90s and early 2000s rap is my favorite genre. With that being said I stopped listening to rap when my favorite artist quit doing music. Ren has brought that love back out of me. The story telling , the deep lyrics . I can't respect someone rapping about a life I know they don't live ya know ? Great reaction as always bro

[@nrsvlda70]

I’m a 73 yr old Gma.. grew up listening to all types of music thru 60s-70s-80s.. and onward, but never really enjoyed Rap, mostly bc I couldn’t understand what was being sung/said. When I started following Ren (after Hi Ren), I watched all of his stuff, including the Rap. It took me awhile to understand Ren too.. but I enjoyed it/him enough to do so, and doing it.. took me to other rappers who I now enjoy too. I still don’t like what I call ‘mumble rap’.. the lyrics need to actually say something, not just repeat the same word(s) over and over, with what sounds like a ‘canned’ beat! All that said.. your reaction to REN’s nod to Nas brought me here.. and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. Thank-you for your comments - I’ll be following you for more!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I just always appreciate and love the age range I have on this channel. It's so cool to me, honestly the best way for me to describe it. And I appreciate your candid thoughts as much as you appreciated mine. Thank you for that. Glad you'll stick around, we always have discussions here so feel free to enjoy and chime in again or in past videos. Tons to go through. :)

[@rickay5363]

I grew up in a northern working class town in England and the first music i bought and listenend to was Public Enemy, Run DMC, Digital Underground et al. It spoke to me in a way that i couldnt describe. To hear Ren pumping boom bap beats and flipping fire bars makes me feel like I did listening to Guru or Nas.

[@Jonhamer76]

I'm a Ren fan. I grew up on metal and rap. Everything from wu-tang, Nas, public enemy, beastie boys, N. W. A, Onyx, Tupac and more, but also heavy metal, extreme black metal, rap metal, death metal and more. Just wanted to say how nice it is for people to finally discover these rap legends. Much love to all ❤

[@goobydoot]

I’ve had a problem with most Rap for it’s misogyny, but I probably have never said “I do not like rap”, though I’ve known and still do know a lot of older people who say that. I’ve heard myself say out loud “I do not like country music” far more times in my life, though I usually have then listed the exceptions to the rule.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Haha the hate country music gets these days makes me laugh. I don't have an opinion on it, just genuinely it made me laugh. I have a ton of friends who say that and they'll die on that hill lol.

[@SCash-rl5ee]

To be honest, before being introduced to Ren I'd probably have said I didn't like rap overall if asked. But that really because I just assumed that I wouldn't. Growing up I was a die hard rock fan, to the extent that the only rap songs I heard were whatever was played on the radio stations I listened to. And while there were songs I liked, I was into rock enough that I never went looking into other songs by those artists. And there was a lot of stuff in the media back then saying rap was mainly about pimps, hos, drugs, and violence. Growing up in small towns, I didn't feel like that would relate to me, so I just didn't look into it. Because Ren has been inspired by so many artists across many genres and decades, he's made me curious enough to want to look further into the music and artists that influenced him. I think my willingness to explore is partly because Ren opened my mind to it, partly because I'm older now, but also because Ren's message of needing more unity and less division really resonates with me. Music communicates verbally and emotionally and can be healing and bring people together. It's a good place to start. Rock is always going to be the music I love best, but now I'm wanting to look outside my bubble and listen to the music and message of artists in other genres. So that's my answer to your question. Oh, and I love Falling in Reverse, but I didn't learn about them until after Ren, as that's when I began watching music reactors and seeing what other music was being reacted to. If I'd heard them when I was younger though, I'd still have loved them.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I appreciate you taking the time to type all that out. I'm learning more and more that, although some opinions I disagree with, Ren is viewed as this doorway and those that are open-minded enough to walk through it have a much better time learning and walking through it. That's a great way to put it. And that level of resonation. Spot-on.

[@B.JAM_]

SCash thank you for this comment! I’m an old(er)head rap fan and you really made me think about how access has also played into this entire conversation. Back in the day, if you were more likely to enjoy “alternative rap”, you would need to live in a space where you could get mix tapes from those types of artists. If you were lucky there might be some in your area, but you couldn’t just find it necessarily. In a small town you really would have only heard the basics. The idea that anyone is going to like every artist from a certain genre is unrealistic, so choice and access are huge positives of the current era. I remember when the conversation was about if tribe called quest was really rap. (You might really enjoy them btw) Times haven’t changed that much when it comes to this discussion. I am honestly thrilled to hear people being open minded on any subject and willing to have a conversation! Great point!!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Woah, someone questioned if Tribe was really rap??? What was the counter-argument haha??? But I even appreciate you for your perspective, that's a really good point. There were so many artists I had to CLIMB through using torrents, private-forums, etc. because they just weren't selling that stuff where I grew up. Access is a good point. Look at what we started here in this comment section! Haha. It's wild.

[@B.JAM_]

I guess it was more of an argument of are they “real” hip hop rather than rap, but yes it was surely a thing for a minute. They were too jazzy and their clear Afrocentric vibe was a problem for some folk. They and De La Soul clearly won that argument lol. They are both still referred to as alternative rap though. I absolutely am from the time before forums and the like 🤣

[@B.JAM_]

And yes!!! I am loving reading this conversation. Good on you for starting it with your honesty

[@griffonwriter]

Ya know, the crazy part of me hopes that @REN will comment on this react and give his OWN reaction of what he heard and the comments. I think he'd be hella cool about it!!!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

This is one of the most engaging reacts to this song I've seen yet (especially in comparison to my subs and views) so I'd love it if it got his attention! I need people to help haha!

[@michaelphipps8647]

Definitely loved it!!! Ren released this on 3-14 (Pi-Day) then raps about Pie and Pi-Rats. only Ren!

[@kierand600]

I'm 43 and grew up on Mc Ren, NWA, Pharcyde, ATCQ, Digable Planets, Onyx, Ice Cube, Snoop, Dre, Naughty by Nature, had Illmatic on tape, etc etc. Honestly the first Ren stuff i listened to were his rap tracks.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

How do you feel about his other tracks?

[@tan5taafl]

I'm a sporadic rap listener. Started back in the day with GrandMaster Flash and the Furious Five. Moved on through ICE T, Public Enemy, Das EFX, De La Soul, and Beastie Boys. Backed away a bit through the 2000s and 2010s, as I poked around the growing EDM world. Dipped my toes back in periodically, but only when something comes up that sounds unique. That said, I never act like I know the rap genre .... just what I like in it. I generally don't say something is good or bad in a topic I don't know well. edit: yes, I enjoyed the song

[@MicheleRaeF]

Also Ren is a genus. Hes a very intelligent and talent person. Feelng that way doesnt take away from other artists.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I don't think it does, nor did I..say that? Or maybe it's me that is misunderstanding you. To put it simply, completely agree that he's a very intelligent, high EQ person that deserves his accolades. I'm addressing something completely separate, but I agree with you.

[@MicheleRaeF]

@TheBlackSpeed I'm sorry I was just adding this as a point I didn't think you were saying that nor did I mean for it to sound that way. I comment like 4 times in a row. After the first comment I kinda spiraled into more of my thoughts which were not a rebuttal to you but more of a response.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I've noticed that now haha and it's now funny in retrospect. You're entitled to your responses and I'm hearing them for what they are now. :)

[@TheMabDeno]

Its your honesty that keeps me watching your content. An honest take can give me a different view on things which lets me reflect on my opinions. Sounds a bit pretentious but I like having my ideas expanded on or changed for the better.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Doesn't sound pretentious at all. So many of this social media shit is for the fake, the views, the analytics. Nah. We just have conversations and touch on topics around here, while using some music to guide us there. I think that sounds cool to me too. :) I'm glad I can contribute to keeping you here and hope to see you in future video comments.

[@T_Witti]

Maybe I was just unlucky with the rap songs I listened to before Ren. The lyrics were so idk basic maybe? (I can't even think of the correct word in my native language). Ren made me listen to lyrics again and whenever Ren respects an artist that way, there's a reason for that. So I go check him out. Ren has great taste in music and I love finding "new" (new to me) artists through him

[@JMach82]

I appreciate your honesty, truly refreshing. I enjoy all genres of music rap, hip hop included although not usually my first choice. More of a punk/rock person but literally anything and everything.

[@nickelmore679]

I love alot of music,this guy is great

[@Sog8045]

I am 45. I came up on Pac and Biggie BEFORE they died. I remember being in middle school when Ready to Die dropped. I wore out 2 copies of Me Against the World. I remember stealing a friends copy of Tical and playing that to death! It was a different scene back then, you had people like Too short who was like a young Easy E, or Immortal technique who just was sick to the bone. I listen to all genres of music. Rock hip hop grunge a little metal. I like Ren because of his diversity. But Rap has evolved. It's not the same beast it was in the 80's and 90's.

[@noelward1367]

For myself, I grew up in a small conservative town and only heard conservative pop and rock on the radio, so I never really developed a great love of music. Now that I am finding the more underground and experimental stuff, I am developing an appreciation for it. As for rap and hip hop, same story: I only heard the commercially acceptable stuff with the commercially acceptable content when I was younger. Now listening to Ren, I am paying attention to his callbacks to the greats and listening to their work. This requires a bit of research, but it means I have been listening to, for example, KRS-One and Dead Prez on my own (I really like the politically charged artists). I am simply slow getting into new artists, but I do want to get into the back catalogue of Rap and Hip Hop now that I have more of a sense of what it can do and how great it can be.

[@fracker8258]

10:54 we’re here for discussing great topics of music

[@gobkin123]

Lots of ways to get into rap - I came form nu-metal, found Eminem, then fell into Indigenous Rap (check out "Snotty Nose Rex Kids, Drezus, Supaman, among many others). Then started listening to KZbin reactors, found FiR, and then started listening to more of the recent rap that the reactors were checking out. Started listening to some of the OG rap, found Ren, started listening to more rap (OG and new) in addition to, well, a whole hell of a lot more. My points are a) generalization is dangerous, and b) people evolve. They may focus on "Ren Rap" to begin with but give them time - their horizons will expand and they will find the blend of music they will like. It may not include the OG rappers - the music has evolved - or it may include a deep dive and a love affair. Love your comments and attitude (and damn - your shirt!). Liked and subscribed.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Haha appreciate you diggin' the threads! And glad you subbed and have been enjoying the content. Just to elaborate on something you said. I can understand what you're saying, and even agree to an extent, I'd just be careful misconstruing me getting information and rightfully trying to understand people's pre-judgements to a genre, to then only like it when their favorite artist does it, and then calling that out. That's not a generalization, that's just pure curiosity. It'd be different if I didn't care to engage and understand; I'm only trying to do that. and it's been wildly successful so far so I'm glad I did haha. I'm always here for evolution, and I'm always hear to learn of the journey of that evolution. Just who I am at heart.

[@atticus7830]

I’m a Ren fan & I think he did it justice, That said growing up I’m Long Island in the 90s I’m a huge Nas fan. I cant imagine anybody liking this and not liking the original. What I think even crazier i’ve seen reactors who call themselves hip-hop fans say they not familiar with the original.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

You know, someone else said that too and I'm like..that's exactly who I'm talking about haha. Like you don't have to know the original to react to it, of course not, but then I also wouldn't call myself a "hip-hop reactor" and not know a very important song in the genre lol.

[@C.Simm2024]

I think some people fell into Ren not for his rap, but his story telling or ability to paint his picture of pain and loss. Once you can relate to an artist it brings you in no matter what style, especially if it's substantially driven by lyrics. That group doesn't understand that RAP is exactly that, Rhythm And Poetry, which is Ren. I love seeing reactions to Nas and Pac, and when a new artist can help bring light to the greats by any means, I'm here for it.

[@novaconstable8470]

I'm embarrassed to say I'm 48 and never knew rap meant rhythm and poetry until now. But it makes complete sense ofc! Love learning new things ❤️

[@bradleycampbell7256]

I think that Ren is a lovely person and he takes his craft seriously but he doesn’t take himself seriously. He’s not coming from Eminem’s “chip-on-his-shoulder” place or anywhere except “hey this sounds fucking cool, I hope you think so too.” There are bigger intentions with what he does than to prove he belongs where he is. And I don’t get that from many artists in the rap game. But seeing the reverence Ren has for these artists who paved the way for him to get to where he is influentially. It makes it appealing to see where the influence comes from. I like some rap, but listening to Ren makes me open to more of it.

[@LadyGX]

Yeah, people who say they always hated rap, but like when Ren does it, just haven't heard much rap. My opinion of rap has definitely evolved over time with more exposure. The only thing that you said here that I find arguable is that rap is Ren's favorite style of music. 😊

[@TheBlackSpeed]

And that's fair, I only think (and honestly was just my opinion, not trying to speak for him of course) it's his favorite because of how much time, attention, and energy he gives to that specific genre. Yes he's good at many genres he incorporates and utilities, but none I've seen with the respect he treats hip-hop. But that could also be my own bias showing, who knows. I appreciate your words all the same! And I very much agree with you.

[@little-earl]

Although I have never said I hate all rap, Nas is probably not an artist I would have checked out before Ren's retake. I've listened to Illmatic several times, but am struggling to connect to it. The tracks on Illmatic cover many of the same themes as Ren's canon: a tough upbringing, childhood loss, flexing and storytelling. Both artists are masters at wordplay and rhyme schemes. Lyric heavy music is enjoyable to me when it is either directly relatable or when the story it is telling makes you feel empathy for the characters depicted. Nas eloquently paints a graphic picture of the drugs and violence surrounding his formative years but I just can't emotionally invest in the character that he has had to become to survive in his world. Illmatic's critical acclaim shows that many others can make that connection. Challenging ones musical tastes and preconceptions is important, so Ren's audience checking out EDM, Soul, Metal, Reggae and Hip Hop can only be a good thing, even if they don't become instant fans.

[@Vmcf1968]

so i liked early rap the sugarhill gang digital underground that stuff was great. around the time nas and others came on the scene i had just beat a bad drug addiction so all the drug and gang culture in much of the music made it hard for me to listen too, so i gave up on it for years. i mean i respect that it was the place they came from and many were still part of it just i place i didnt want to be in.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I actually can feel this. You understand and respect why rap was important and even what they're talking about, but not a headspace and/or mentality you wanted to stay in. I relate to that more than you know.

[@mariskan]

Can speak only for myself here, but feel Im not alone. Being in my early 50-ies, liked different types of music, but mostly was more rock biased. Hip hop never really related or resonated to me living here in Northern Europe, but then 8 mile movie triggered some interest, which never really went outside of Eminem’s rap. This resonated but nothing else really. When almost 1 and half years ago noticed Ren’s Hi Ren, this was a huge milestone for me. His performance pushed me to look around a bit more, so Harry Mack, Tom McDonald also is what I listen sometimes. But getting back to Ren - he just fills a lot of pockets of different music styles so well, I dont really have time or need to dive into more hiphop. I have limited time whats available for listening in decent quality, and I dedicate it to Ren and reactions videos. Now with Halftime i will pay more attention to Nas as he is a legend in hiphop, but if the lyrics will resonate we will see. Long story short - Ren is giving to a guy like me all different kinds of musical art in great manner and quality, and his ability to make very capturing songs keeps you never bored -there are layers and layers in his songs, and every time I find something else I was missing - so keep peeling this onion…:) Hope this makes some sense. Just my 5 cents here…

[@RyanESmail]

This is my first time viewing your channel and I gotta say first and most, I REALLY like your level of honesty. It’s not only honest, but like a respectful honesty m, and I really appreciate that mentality and vibe you bring. Definitely a new sub from me

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Well, what a way to earn a sub with THIS being the video haha. I really appreciate you saying that, thank you. That's how I am with all my videos honestly, you should check some of them out. Thanks for saying that.

[@needfree7086]

I am a Black American woman. I'm a 70's baby, so the 90s would have been my decade. Nas is one of the best, but honestly, I hadn't listened to "Half Time" in forever. Ren just brought back the nostalgia that made me want to go back and listen to Nas. Ren isn't better; he just did it justice. For someone who can sing, make beats, produce, play an instrument, and rap. It makes him bigger than Nas because Ren is bigger than a genre. Could you even imagine if he put all his energy into rap? Just my thoughts. but if ren is getting people to respect the music i grew up on so be it. Either way nas made it back to my playlist.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Oh yeah, I can't compare the two, but that's just my opinion. And yeah, Ren's rap still has to grow on me because I'm more of a fan when he sings, but it's a good point on if he actually put his energy into it and wanted to do it. I still feel he'll have millions of people who will like it, but I wonder how he personally feels about it. Would be interesting to ask him. REN, TALK TO ME. I WANT TO INTERVIEW YOU.

[@kineticthumpgaming4279]

Yes he did it proper justice.

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

Pls feel free to skip this wall of text, but I'll put it here in case it's of interest to anyone. 1) I was born 1973, was a Super Not Cool kid back when being a nerd/geek was a *death sentence* socially, hated all current popular music growing up (I know, that didn't exactly help me on the social front, but it's the truth!) - I immersed myself in classical piano lessons, orchestral French horn, and Renaissance choral music, and when I listened to anything written more recently than like 1890 (yeah, eighteen-ninety, ie, pre-20th century), it was The Beatles on repeat. My family and my music teachers raised me to have a MASSIVE stick up my ass about music (and art in general). 2) By the time I was graduating from high school I was starting to realize there *might* be good music out there other than The Beatles; I was listening to a bunch of traditional Celtic music, and Bob Dylan and Neil Young and The Grateful Dead. Still had that MASSIVE stick jammed right up my ass about everything else. 3) 1992 I was hired at a big independent music store to work in their classical section. But that also meant I was exposed to *gasp* MY SAME-AGE CO-WORKERS who *gasp* LIKED ME FOR WHO I WAS even tho I was still SUPER NOT A COOL KID. Plus of course the store played current releases all day. I started to accept that there was other music (like, *rock* music, and maybe a little of the rock side of pop) that I was liking. Rap, R&B/Soul, Metal, and Pop still escaped me. I remember putting bunches of Illmatic on the shelves & selling it like crazy when it was released! 4) fast forward to about 2006, and I was the mom of a 5yr old who started to know about music beyond the CDs I owned, from her friends at school. ♥ I was by then aware that I had a massive stick up my ass and that I desperately wanted to get rid of it because it was a pile of BS, lol - and I *certainly* didn't want to pass it down to my kid as family "stick up our ass" baggage. I encouraged her to explore whatever music she wanted, and I explored it with her. It took most of her adolescence for me to truly relax and find value in a wide spectrum of modern music. Point being, I'm new to rap thru Ren (my daughter eventually got into a bit of rap here and there but it wasn't a huge element of her young years when she was sharing EVERYTHING with me). When this Halftime re-take dropped, I was like "OMG, I totally know that track from working at the music store 30 fucking years ago!" (I'm sure I probably heard it out in the world during those years too of course) and, like a lot of popular culture music from my youth that I didn't care about back in the day, I now found it interesting (nostalgia is powerful, plus of course all the music that's gone before influences the music that's come since, so even though something might not have appealed to you when you were 21, you might have liked stuff it went on to influence, and then when you revisit the thing you didn't really care about back when you were 21, you're listening to it with a different level of interest/appreciation) Anyway. I still struggle to *feel* some rap lyrics (after all, I'm a 50yr old white woman recovering from having a stick jammed up her ass most of her life) but the way Ren puts language together in some of his rap tracks, it's helping me chart a path into having a better appreciation for rap culture/the way rap uses language. And regardless of what I think of lyrics, it doesn't matter - the MUSIC and the rhythms/cadences of the lyrics can get through now. Maybe there've been other rappers over the decades who could have done the same thing for me, but I didn't run across them. So - I didn't know I liked Halftime until Ren did his re-take. And I *would* now say that I enjoy the original. ... and I wouldn't say that your question was insulting at all. 👍 edit to add to the wall of text - Why do I like some rap (ie, some of Ren's) and not other rap? That's hard for a person who hasn't previously enjoyed rap to say, because when something doesn't appeal to you, you're not gonna sit there and listen to it to figure out why you don't like it, right? I don't spend time listening to music that doesn't appeal to me. It doesn't appeal to me, and if the reason for it not appealing to me doesn't leap out and hit me over the head when I'm exposed to it & decide I don't enjoy it, I'm not going to figure out why it doesn't appeal to me. However. Some reasons I haven't liked rap before - - violence in lyrics. I'm not saying I don't listen to music that talks about violence; whether I like it or not depends on a) what kind of violence and b) how it's treated in the lyrics. - misogyny - I can deal with some low-grade stuff, but when the ratio of the words girls/women/ladies/etc to hoes/bitches/sluts/etc climbs too high in the lyrics, HUGE TURN OFF. Same with someone who spends too much time rapping about gold diggers or women's appearances or putting women down after a breakup or focusing on either side of a relationship cheating on each other, or too many references to the rapper bragging about sleeping with a million women. - For that matter, I don't often appreciate braggadocious/flexing songs (and this includes some of Ren's). - the braggadocious nature of so many popular rap videos can be enough to make me not care for a song.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

So, I don't know what's wrong with me, but I read this entire thing. Rebecca, you took me through every emotion I could think of. Lol. This was honest, and funny, and heartfelt, and overall really cool. I appreciate you sharing that and letting us all in on ya story. That's really cool of you. I think the struggle part is fair. Not everyone is going to relate to every genre of music. But the ability to be able to appreciate and respect something that may be foreign to your worldview is key and you seem to have that. I appreciate you taking the time. And thank you for taking my words and video for what it is and not for something it wasn't.

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

@@TheBlackSpeed it's a good convo for Ren fans to engage in! We'll all get to know each other - and ourselves, and *music* - better! And I'm glad there was some kind of payoff for having put the time you'll never get back, into reading that whole novel, lol!

[@NilZed1]

I just did a big clean out if my subs. Last year I was supporting anyone that was reacting to Ren. But as time went in more and more don’t tell add anything to me just re listening to Ren on my own. The reactirs I have stayed with might not jump in every Ren song, but when they react to them it’s interesting to hear their opinion on him, and toward us, the fans. We are an odd mixed up group of people.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

And hey, all I can ask for is I'm always allowed to speak on it, people hear what I say, and we continue to be respectful about it going forward. That's what it's all about for me anyway. :) I love yall/our odd mixed group asses.

[@pettyeddie2000]

I’ve never seen your channel before now and to be honest I only clicked on it because it’s a REN reaction. I’m not a big fan of RAP, I’m an old school Metalhead, but I’m personally drawn to Ren’s music because of the mental health aspect. I’m also a huge NF fan because of the same reason. When I was younger, I’m 55 now, I listened to Run DMC, some Snoop, Beastie Boys, Em, and Fitty Cent, I even listened to Ice T but the genre was never anything that pulled me all the way in. As I said though I like Ren’s music and NF’s music because of the mental health topics. I have generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder w/ suicidal ideation. So in a nutshell it’s not the RAPPING that has made me a fan it’s the topics that I can relate to. But I will say I listen to more RAP now than I have in years. Side note, I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to ask a legitimate question and have a proper conversation. That’s what this world needs more of. Thank you for that !! 👊🏻

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hey, whatever brought you here, I'm happy you took time out of your day just to watch my little video and comment. Seriously, I appreciate it and love your honesty. Thanks for sharing that and giving that perspective. It makes sense and I'm honestly learning a lot in the comments. It's what it's all about. Perspective. Maybe you'll sub and stick around for a while. If not, hey I'm happy you were here now!

[@amaza888]

As I am not a native English-speaking American, I simply was never "exposed" to rap or hip hop music. Ren made me realize that I like it a lot, lol! But I am one of these people having to "discover" Nas and others. And boy am I glad I did! Ren just happened to be the "spark".... 🔥😎😉

[@pseudoism]

REN isn’t just a rap artist, he’s multitalented in lots of genres…. More of a performance artist.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Yup, well aware! I always give him his props. :)

[@KRE808]

First of all, you are a breath of fresh air, been a long time that I actually subbed to a reactor, let alone based on only one video, but you earned my sub. As for the questions, I skimmed through some of the comments already and most of what I would say has probably been better said by others, but here's my personal perspective. Never having spent time to actually listen, or having friends to guide me in some way, I didn't listen to rap because I couldn't get past the surface stuff like singing about "ho's and bitches" , posturing, bling, lots of the N word (as much as my nearly 60 year old self now cringes, I hung on to the "why is it ok for Blacks to use it when no one else can?" mindset for way too long). Lyrically I could hang with fight the power sentiments and rapping about racism and police brutality et al, respected the hell out of that, but it wasn't my struggle or experience. Musically (again, I'm cringing as I write all this) I knew sampling and 808 machines etc. were a big part of the music and I thought that wasn't "real" music (I may start choking now ;)). That sums up why I never really listened to hip hop/rap. And while Ren has not solely been responsible for it, I appreciate rap a lot more in large part because Ren ticks a lot of boxes for me personally - more introspective, even dark, lyrics, a dude who can play several instruments, somebody clearly well read, no bullshit raw authenticness - and as much as I hate to admit it, I started to think, wait, if this musician that I really respect has a lot of love for the genre, then clearly I owe it to myself to get past my surface barriers and dig deeper and experience it more meaningfully for myself. Lastly, appreciate you asking the questions, and the way you did it as well. I've been asking myself the same questions without really taking the time to answer them. Looking forward to more - your perspective and honesty is much needed.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hey I appreciate you typing this up and giving me your own personal thoughts. It's always great when not only I can get a sub, but one that I feel I've truly earned. So thank you. :) Lol no cringe at all from this, man. You're giving your take and it's honestly a fair one. Same thing could be said about me and why I didn't resonate with rock at all. It wasn't sold to us and how I grew up the way rap was. It's funny how access and perception can truly dictate everything. Thank you again, you'll honestly notice that a lot about me in my prior reacts, and it's only going to get better from here. The discussion parts are my favorite, so glad you'll stick around!

[@ryanclarke4482]

I think its a generation thing, rens fan base spans a large age range and alot of them missed hiphops emergence and have stayed with the style of music they grew up with. Alot of this will also be due to the home environment, im from a white British family and hiphop was never played just because that not what my parents listen to when hiphop was finding it's way to the mainstream. With no access to streaming sites , unless it was on radio you listened to what mum and dad had on. Ren is that introduction point and as with anything new people are excited so want to check more out. The majority may not stick with listening to hiphop but will have a better appreciation of a new (to them) genre. Its also cool to be a renegade and people want to be like Ren so will follow his lead. It can be cringe but i think that happens with cross generation communication.

[@nyshiroh1089]

I would add its worth checking out Chinchilla, if you've not seen her before Stunning voice, huge range and a real talent

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Yup, I've done a couple of her songs on the channel actually. :) Should search 'em, though I can do better nowadays. More of her to come.

[@nyshiroh1089]

Sorry my dude, I didn't realise 😁 Next time, maybe I will actually check....nah, sounds like work 🤣@@TheBlackSpeed

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hahaha stop itttt. "work". It'll take you 10 seconds and you'll love it!

[@markparsons1589]

Great reaction. Thank you. I have been trying to get into rap / hip hop for a LONG time. I don't like the fact that I love all Rock from 70s til today and I know Rap / Hop is good from what other people I respect say. When I discover new music its because one song or artist leads to the next, and Ren is helping me get there because he has some more trad music that I already know how to process.

[@markparsons1589]

Oh yeah and I love the NAS version. I get it. I am now going to listen to all of Illmatic

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Illmatic is a fire album, I think you'll like it. Thanks for your response. :)

[@Lulabee2024]

I'm a 59 yr old white woman from the Midwest (Toledo to be exact) and I cut my teeth on Rap and Hip Hop with: Sugar Hill Gang Run DMC Kool Moe Dee Sir Mix Alot Too Short and Eazy E. GOT LIT when Pac and Biggie were on the scene in the 90s (can't forget about Dre and Snoop and Jay Z!!) and stayed on track until this mumble rap and ultra-violent gangsta rap. B.S. took over on the streets. I FELL head over heels for Ren as an artist well over a year ago when his music FINALLY hit the algorithm my views ride. I have MAD RESPECT for that young man. I'm SO GLAD you don't suck up to any followers and ALWAYS KEEP IT REAL. I have unsub'd to some "famous" reactors for fakin the funk. Fantastic reaction and I'm glad you enjoyed it. (edit: AND NAS OF COURSE!! LOL) BTW did you know Nas used to go by Kid Wave?! I think "wavy guy" that Ren said in this is ANOTHER stat in Ren's brain about the history of Rap.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hey, I'm glad you could feel where I was coming from and pick up on the realness. That's all I can ever ask for, so thank you for that. And I also took that mention as a nod to Nas' Wave Gods. Who even knows anymore haha.

[@davidjames3080]

Not generalising, but Ren seems to have a lot of older fans who, for one reason or another, seem to have become disconnected from modern music. The major labels have something to do with this, as the big 3 own 70% of all music produced and the majority of 'chart music'. So the stuff in the charts and played on the radio these days is pretty much all the same bland stuff, whereas 30-40 years ago it would have been an eclectic mix of pop, rock, punk, disco, rap, hip hop, EDM, ska, even classical. There is, of course, decent music still out there, but not in the mainstream and you have to go searching for it. Many of Ren's fans were probably into hip hop in the 80s and 90s but drifted away when the music changed from the old style. 'Hi Ren' brought Ren into the spotlight and he may have been a 15 minute wonder (like many other talented artists) if not for his substantial and eclectic back catalog and his life story. So, from 'Hi Ren', most people went on to find something they liked from him, he became more than a 15 minute wonder, and people actually started to get invested in Ren as a person, rather than as an artist. On top of that, his Sickboi album release followed close on the heels of all this attention, and fans were treated to song releases every couple of weeks (every week at one point), followed by an extended live session by Ren on Twitch. So, for the last year or so he has never disappeared from attention and that is key in the early days to keep fans interested and invested. His story, although probably not unique, is the stuff that movies are made of. In fact, people got so invested in his story that when he needed to raise around £50k to get to Canada and to receive the medical treatment he needs, he ending up raising over £300k (across separate GoFundMes). I know there are other successful independent artists, but I suspect that very few have the loyal fan base that Ren has. The kind of people that will buy albums for other fans who can't afford them (often in other countries), who give merch away to other fans, who will buy 10 copies of his album to help him to get to number 1 in the UK. Who arrange to pick strangers and fellow fans up on a 5 hour drive to a behind the scenes event that Ren isn't even there for! It's a wonderful environment to be in, and long may it continue!

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I think you're touching on a lot of points that are hard for some to explain but easier to see and feel. I think you hit something with this, and it's an interesting perspective and take to have. That although the music resonates and is good, it's more the aura that's exuded from the music than anything else. Thus, some things may take a back seat (like the other genres) but doesn't take away from them at all. I liked this explanation, and hadn't read it from anyone else. Thanks for sharing that.

[@gatormama75]

Nailed it!!

[@novaconstable8470]

A well deserved like for the reaction and a subscribe for the channel from me. I'm looking forward to more of your honesty. I too don't always trust the integrity of some other Ren reactors. Really enjoyed reading the comments section too!! You're very respectful and so far I'm happy to have seen that reflected back from the Ren community. I'd have been surprised to see otherwise but I'm still glad. Looking forward to more Ren reactions and definitely a Big Push livestream! Hopefully you'll react to this live performance from them... it's my favourite lol! X kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4TIdKiIapalm80

[@TheBlackSpeed]

When that stream comes, yall better SHOW OUT. It's coming. :) I don't know when I'll do it, I'll have to do a poll and see what timezone/time works best for most people and get it done. Thank you for the words and I'm glad you felt my honesty and rocked till the end of the video. I really appreciate that.

[@TobiiRheaStarr]

I’ve always liked rap but not all rap. I prefer this version to the original personally. The same as other retakes Ren has done. Iv always hated Bittersweet Symphony, Right Here Right Now, Back on 74, etc but am obsessed with Rens versions 🖤 Ren - Nas - halftime "Let loose in the booth and I came to introduce the High proof juice like a flaming sambuca Halftime 3-point hoop, hallelujah Abused oblongata and I severed a medulla 'Cause rap without Ren is like a skull without a brain, dude Or like a feminist with no one to complain to Hockey without ice or China without rice The Bible without Christ, vindaloo with no spice Playing snakes and ladders with no dice Day without night, like Mike without an earlobe bite I keep it tight, left-right, fake, dodge and evade An uppercut, fuck 'em up in any various ways Nеfarious gaze moving through precarious days When wе're moving through the bubble troubled air in my veins Librarian brain, pull up a barbarian slain Performing like I'm global warming, music making it rain I'm pimpin' my pain, prostitute of all that's insane Put my problems on the paper and the sales will raise/reign The sails will rise, pirate with a patch on his eye Get ya hooked up on the music sailor, aye, aye, aye It's like rats to the music when I'm feedin 'em pie It's Pyrex/pie-rats can't relax I'm the waviest guy Like yo, rats bring the bubonic flow Move the tectonic plates when I step to the show So cold, I know a couple people don't fuck with it They can just suck on it, zip it, then go, thanks, bro Eenie, meenie, miney, mo, I'm shining like a diamond though When pressure makes a rhyming diamond, this was by design, ya know An isotope, a proton and a neutron in the nuclei And split an atom in a fraction, a reaction supersize Me and I supersize my order Fries on the side I'm a big whopping author Big Mac, rest in peace, B.I.G, rest in peace, Mac Rest in peace, Pac, rest in peace, Peep, rest in peace, rap We lose all the greats like that So put respect upon they names while they still intact That's why I rap upon this beat that was deep for Nas I might never reach the level, I'll salute with bars I'm coming and bringing the deep heat and when they are singing the bees knees What a ridiculous MC sound so meticulous, repeat When I am spitting improperly, bending biology No one can follow me, what an anomaly Sick shit and quick wit makes girls wet and dicks stiff I'm so tongue-in-cheek with my tongue in your cheek I never sleep cause death is the cousin of sleep I never rest cause sleep is the cousin of death So save your breath, stop the tape, press pause, and eject" References Tongue and cheek - love music part 2 Eenie meanie miney moe - murderer (and more) Supersize my fries - uninvited Nuclear fuse - life is funny Pie scheme - released on Pi day Waviest - new wave jacket on The Hunger / kid wave “I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death” - from NY state of mind by Nas “China without rice, bible with out christ”- big L The track was 2.13 and the zip code of where Nas is from is 11213

[@MicheleRaeF]

Im a Ren fan but ive been listening to rap, rock. Country, pop,disco,jazz and metal since i was a kid. I just love what i love. I was a Nas fan but not as much as i was other rappers like Tupac Biggie E40 Not sure if there was a reason i didnt listen to Nas enough to know all his songs it just happend that way.. As far as Ren i think he is special because his love for music isnt putting him in a box. And also last thing its ok if ren has opened peoples mind to grow and experience other music genres. Like you said you want to explore other music why are you confused that others do?

[@rebeccalauren1992]

I don't think he's confused at people who want to explore other music, it's more about people who love Ren and his music but don't like rap or respect the genre. It's a contradiction, especially with how much Ren respects hip hop and shows that in his music. If you like rap, he's probably not specifically talking about you!

[@MicheleRaeF]

@rebeccalauren1992 I didn't think he was talking about me because I never once said I didn't like rap. I've been a fan of rap since the mid 80s. But thanks for your comment I'm not being sarcastic when I say this I appreciate you explaining cause had I thought that your comment would have been helpful.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I saw someone else commented, and I saw your replied comment, so I won't beat this point to death haha. I think you're on the money now and seeing what I was trying to say. Definitely not confused at all, but more just trying to either get enlightened or an understanding as to what Ren has done for the genre of rap and how people feel about that who may not have liked rap prior. I appreciate you taking the time.

[@sunshynff]

Sorry for the length, but you asked a lot of questions I want to answer and make a point or two.... First off, great reaction!! Of all the reactors I follow I was most interested in seeing yours and Stevie Knights reaction, so glad you checked this one out. So I might have mentioned this before, but I'm told I'm officially an old head. I cut my teeth on rap in the late 80s, with artists like Run DMC, Beasties, Public Enemy and LL Cool J, then progressed towards NWA, 2LiveCrew, Snoop, Naughty By Nature, Dead Prez and such, but got into skateboarding which led me to rap adjacent music like Fishbone and Rage Against the Machine, which led to a punk rock phase. When I came out of that I still liked rap, and was all over Eminem, but leaned into stuff like De La Soul, Wyclef/Lauren Hill and more, what I called back then, mature rap. I definitely knew who Nas was, and knew his more popular tracks, but wasn't in to him like I have the last couple years, I've always known how legendary he is, what he means to the culture, and that illmatic reshaped the game, and is considered by many the best Hip-hop album of all time. That's why I've enjoyed very few reactions from people, many that are clearly into rap, and "started a channel to expand their musical taste". I guess I can't be mad, they've all been pretty honest about it, saying they don't know nothing about Nas but his name, but I guess I'm perplexed, kinda like your confusion with your subs, but flipped, I feel like, how can you say you're a fan of the genre and never even heard or can name a Nas track?? That's like saying you're a NFL Football superfan, but you've never heard of the Cowboys or Packers...lol. Don't feel bad about not understanding the subs saying they don't like rap but like Ren, it's totally justified to be a bit turned off by that, I am too. I mean any genre of music someone is into, they had a catalyst artist that introduced them to that genre. I think Ren fans, new to rap, would be better served if they said.. "I didn't used to like/listen to rap until I discovered Ren, now I'm totally open to it". Ok, now, from a fan of the culture or from a producer's point of view, this is why I think Ren knocked it out of the park, all Stan/fan bias aside..... I was really nervous when I heard he was releasing this, I mean you know as well as anyone what Nas and this song means to the culture, one tiny mistake, one point of contention that don't sit right with hip-hop heads because you're not as good a student of the game as you thought, and it could be a train wreck and detrimental to a career. I wasn't blown away by his first couple bars when he was still in the alley, and he threw a little record scratching on the beat at the beginning too, that I wasn't sure about. But after he turned the corner in the video, and especially after the Mike Tyson bar, his flow, schemes and bars were very impressive. Not just that, I've said this before, true Hip-hop has some distinctions that you can note, and are tangible, but there's also an intangible quality about it, especially the flow of the rapper and the beat combined, and Ren has that in aces IMO. I also liked the fact that the original was 3 verses, and a great hook, at 4min19sec, and Ren did basically two longer verses, no hook and was almost exactly half the time at 2min13sec, when you're paying homage you don't try to out do the original, you get in and get out. I loved that he kept almost the exact original beat, except that record scratch at the beginning, and if you noticed, the original has some brass instruments back in the mix, which Nas did as a shout out to his dad, who's a Jazz/Blues musician. Ren left those in on the first half, but after he stopped at the intersection he replaced the brass with a Jimi Hendrix like crunchy guitar riff. Lastly he gave respect and shouted out some of the greats, gave Nas some flowers now by shouting him out in the track, and gave a final tip of the hat to Nas with the last line, "sleep is the cousin of death", which I believe is a line from NY State of Mind, also on illmatic, but don't quote me. Last thing, I think your not understanding the whole "I only like Ren rap", you discussed post reaction, was stated very well, you weren't belittling anyone, or talking down to your subs, you were clear and concise on what your issue/confusion was about, and overall very respectful with inquiries and statements. Whatever you do, DO NOT stop being who you are trying to please everyone, just like in life, you ain't gonna please everyone no matter what you try. I have had reactors absolutely hate songs/artists that I love and cherish, but as long as their critique and breakdown stick to music and they are respectful, It makes me even more of a fan of them as a reactor. Being true to you, will build the longest lasting, die hard subs, more than any other character trait, FACTS!! Take care, sorry for another ramble..lol. ✌💚

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Wow, wow, wow. This comment here. Lol. So long, such a wall, and yet.. I read it. What is wrong with me. First of all, that is so nice of you to say you were waiting on me. That's really sweet of you, and I really appreciate that. People like you make me really enjoy doing this, so thank you. I'ma have to link up with this Stevie Knight person it sounds like. Yeah, that analogy with football is spot-on, but you're also right in the same breath that it wouldn't be fair to do that because that person's journey is their journey, and as long as there is an appreciation to at least try to understand, how can I be mad at it. I damn near want to pin this comment. This is everything I said in the video, what all the comments are saying, and what I was really trying to convey into one. Seriously, thank you for this. I too was kind of off-put at first and was like.. Meh this is okay but it's like..normal. And then you saw my reaction to the Tyson bar and him walking down the street and I was like, "Okay, he found his groove, we're getting there now". Even then, I'm still going to say I prefer Nas's but he did it justice and treated it with the umost. I haven't heard anyone mention much about it's best to pay homage by doing your own thing, but not trying to outdo, and then leaving. I too would agree with that, and the nudges were great. And you're also right, that was a reference to N.Y. State of Mind. Good catch. You didn't ramble at all. You damn near got me tearing up lol. This is awesome.. Seriously. Thank you for not just getting what I was trying to say, but taking what I said, making it almost better, and giving your take. All in one breath. I really appreciate you and this comment.

[@sunshynff]

@@TheBlackSpeed.. Thank you for such a nice response and reading my novel, I'd respond to the first line as, no, what's wrong with me!! 😂 Ever since ptsd diagnosis and leaving the Fire Dept. some days I sit down and respond like a normal person, under a paragraph, other days I start typing and before I know it, i'm like god damn dude, what are u doing. Todays not one of those days, don't worry, therapist trying some new meds on me, which I quit cold turkey for almost a year, but anxiety been acting up, so we'll see, keep an eye out for a request, I thought of a good one for ya.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hey, I obviously said something, struck the right chord, or you felt a good vibe that you wanted to type it out, and I for one appreciate it. No apologies or anything else necessary haha. Sorry if you're going through some things, but hopefully talking and this video/discussion helped some! But absolutely, let me know what you have in mind and I'll see whenever I can fit it in. :)

[@rhondaquigley6332]

I’m 48, grew up grinding to hip hop R&B from a kid to now. Love all of it 👌🏻

[@davemannn]

Please be honest...really enjoying your reactions. To the Ren defenders: if Ren is not offended, and actually says he enjoys the criticism and different takes, there is no reason to take anything personally tbh. I introduced everyone I know to Ren's...universe...some like, some don't...and in the post Ren world they will NOT be able to complain about me holding anything back from them. 😁😉

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I really appreciate and thank you for that understanding, that space, and that grace. I love being honest with people who may be different from me and having that back-and-forth. It's what it's all about. :)

[@fatalimbalance8577]

I have too much respect for both these artists to even make a comparison I will just say that in this song Ren shows how much he cares about hip hop and what it means to him.

[@jamiereed6080]

nas is a goat! im 58 and love some old school hip- hop!! and ren! there's room for everyone. if you're great your great🔥🔥🔥

[@uncle_thulhu]

Tbh, I'm a Metalhead in the soul, but when I was 14 or so, someone played Eazy-Duz-It for me (Nobody Move particularly sticks in my mind😂), which led me to NWA, which led me to Public Enemy. Mixmaster Flash. Kind of lost interest for a good few years. Discovered metal. Came across Rage Against the Machine. Nu-metal happened. Started hearing about this Eminem guy, and how he was p*ssing people off, but with satire. Sounded like my kid of guy. Started getting back into it, alongside the metal. Nowadays, I've discovered Chop via Tech N9ne, Trap via Scarlxrd, dunno what his subgenre is, but KAAN appears to have gills, rather than lungs. So yeah, I like it loud and fast - I'm still a Metalhead at heart. . I'm wondering if that last line, "stop the tape, press pause and eject." was a reference to how we used to make mixtapes from the radio or other tapes, back in the day, but frankly, he's not really old enough. Actually, now I think about it, it's how we made mixtapes from CDs too...🤔

[@TheBlackSpeed]

I remember someone else had mentioned something about that was in reference to (it was against an older hip-hop track) but I can't remember now. But I appreciate this comment, you're spot on.

[@clairemccarney7437]

Fair point and i never really thought about it like that. But what i will say (because i'm not a rap fan, my own bad because i'm not able to understand what they say) is that ren has introduced his fans to such an aray of music and genres that has built a better understanding of it for most (not all) and myself included! I am a Renegade and it is thanks to reactors like yourselves breaking down the lyrics that has meant we have been able to better understand the bars because without you i for sure wouldnt know what he was saying. So i think we should realise that we can all work in harmony and educate eachother ❤

[@peterveste6976]

i am 63 years old and have followed Ren for 7 years i love all rap and Ren is my favourite artist ever, but also love Naz ❤❤

[@robertlenzo3303]

I grew up on Rap and Hip Hop. My very first CD was DMX first album. Been hooked ever since. My parents were old school Rock fans. I honestly got hooked on Ren and his busking old school covers. When I saw he rapped as well 🤯 been a big fan ever since.

[@carlosvejar3896]

Just keep it true. Be yourself and make them honest like you always do. You don't need to abide by someone else's standard of honesty. The issue only exists in your mind. You're doing a great job with these videos. Keep on keeping on!

[@Goober-o6p]

Iv always liked rap but rens stuff is far more relatable to me. Plus i know his references.

[@Turntablist_Mk2]

I grew up listening to "illmatic" and "it was written" but also loved jodeci so Ren is an obvious choice for me lol. Also fans are gonna fan, there's even someone out there defending you right now, probably a fan of yours. 🤣

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Hahaha I hope someone is defending me right now! I don't need it, but I'll always take it! :p

[@neverdead9901]

So, bit late to the game here with this one since I've been slow making my rounds on reactors, but I wanted to drop my point of view on the point raised. I'm a RENagade for sure, fell in love with the music the moment I saw "Hi Ren" and it just grew with every new video I watched. On top of that, I'm a music lover. I tend to lean towards the various sub-genres of metal and rock, but I'll just as easily go and listen to Country, Golden Oldies, Classical, or anything else that happens to catch my interest as I roam the internet. The genre's I've had a hard time getting into were Rap and Hip Hop, back in the 90's and early 2000's there was definitely some I liked, but then at some point it seemed like the more commercial Rap out there started to became totally braggadocios, illegible mumbling, or nonsensical(to me) and that drove me away. A huge appeal for most music for me is the story or meaning it conveys, and I just didn't feel the trending rap and hip hop really had much of that, though I did start to come back once I stumble on anime ciphers and rap battles, those sunk their hooks into my inner nerd and didn't let go. Then Ren came along and his songs are just dripping with meaning, his stories are gold, his lyrics are clean and understandable, and some of his songs are just freaking fun. All that put together opened the door for me again to go back and give things another shot and I found that while the mainstream still isn't really what I look for in rap and hip hop, the independent crowd never lost the stuff I loved from when I was younger. I feel like this might be the case for a lot of the people that said they "Didn't like rap until they heard Ren." It's not so much that they weren't fans of the genre, just more that they weren't fans of what's currently been mainstream. I could be wrong, but that's my take on things. Regardless though, you got a sub from me. I like the no nonsense stance you took and I can really appreciate someone that won't say they like something they don't just because it's the popular thing to do.

[@TheBlackSpeed]

First of all, thank you for that. I really appreciate you got what I was saying, ran with it, understood, and gave me thoughts of your own. Really appreciate it. I think that's probably it. You related. You were able to pick up on what he was talking about. You liked what he represented. That makes total sense, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I WILL say, I've literally heard (and even in the comment section here) people say they do not like rap. Never got it, don't find it to be music, can't relate, and it's not for them. But then Ren rapped, and then it was "eye opening", which kind of makes me roll my eyes, but it is what it is lol I came for understanding and I totally got it. Your points are more aligned with the way I thought/think so I get it. Glad I could earn your sub and looking forward to seeing you in future comments. :)

[@deanharper9249]

As someone who grew up outside of rap culture and its direct influence, I wasn't even exposed to rap until it was already mainstream on an international scale. From that point on, I feel like what I was exposed to overrepresented the glorification of violence, sexual objectification, and possessional wealth while underrepresenting what the art of rap is actually about. As a result, I thought I didn't like rap and dismissed the genre for a long time, without having any understanding of what it really is. So now, I have Ren to thank for opening my eyes and a whole new genre of music to explore.

[@BrainZ491]

tbh i have never really related to rap, a lot of what is common or well known just didn't connect with me. i listend to a few things here and there but not much. ren just opend that gateway for me, and now i can appreciate it a lot better. (also getting older helped i guess) since then iv'e explored a few others rappers and it's been a lot fun, because it's a whole new world for me.

[@PunkRocker1976]

I grew up on reggae, punk and hip hop. I have my original copy of Illmatic along with albums from a wide variety of rappers. I only heard of Ren six months ago and he had to win me over but has become my favorite modern artist. If I could say one thing is that he’s honest, respectful and his love and knowledge of the genre is blatantly obvious (plus he’s multi talented and genre crossing which is both fascinating and brilliant)

[@TheDoctorFlay]

Great talking point to raise (exactly the sort of topic I love on my radio show). I have said to people often that their dislike of rap (or other genre) is only because they have only heard a narrow range of what is on offer. Radio and the big media push the same crap, so to many people rap is all about guns, bitches and bling. We have come a long way from the 80s and The Worlds Greatest Supreme Team (my hip-hop roots). These days In the UK it is all about drill/gangster rap, so very focused on the wrong aspects of life values. While I love Pete and Bas, and the Northern Boys, it is not the values people should look up to. Those gnarly old farts do know this, and so write with their tongues firmly in their cheek. The "yoot" however don't have the same life lessons so genuinely aspire to be gangsta. I think for many rock/metal fans most rap doesn't have enough going on musically, and lyrically is often from a world with values and life goals that do not align. Rock/metal songs fall into a few basic categories; 1) Getting laid, drunk and or stoned, 2) Cars and motorbikes, 3) Saving / destroying the world, 4) Wizards, dragons and epic battles between the forces of light and dark. When rare acts like the Gorillaz and Ren can grace our ears with rap in a more musical and lyrical journey, that isn't entrenched in ghetto life and gang violence, or the need to escape it, or the references to it being where you came from, finally more people "get it". For some rap is a way of life so can be trapped by it, for others it is just another set of rhythms and tricks you can use for painting a picture with words, so can be empowered by it. Most of the rap I listen to isn't very radio friendly. Not because of sex and violence etc. but because it tends to be the weirder indie stuff, like dank sci-fi rap stories about being lost in space. (this is something I would like you to review/react to).

[@TheBlackSpeed]

Flay! I knew you'd show up. I hit the right positive nerve with this video, huh? And also, what you're saying is, I need to be a guest on your radio show. Heard. Understood. Sign me up. But no, I think you're spot on and it's a consistent theme I've gotten from other commenters. That relatability, the musicality, the generational gap. All of those things play a part and I'll admit some things I didn't think about. But it's also why I do these videos and ask questions people may be, for whatever reason, to fearful or uncomfortable to ask. Not I. I think, as always, you're completely correct in what you're saying.

[@TheDoctorFlay]

@@TheBlackSpeed I sent a discord invite

[@bexypoos]

I’m a ren fan that always loved older rap and hiphop. I fell in love with the nwa, bodycount, eminem, even icp side of it but there was a while where lots of it was about dehumanising women and that kinda grated. For me its nice to go back to that place where i loved rap and i get to enjoy artists i missed through ren. Maybe the people who thought they hated rap, hadn’t experienced what i had before they experienced ren and missed that whole side of it. I hope the people who fall into that camp, take the little nuggets ren is leaving you all over the hiphop/rap genre, and follow the rabbithole more. He bigs them up in so many tracks but you gotta know the tracks to know what he’s referencing. Rens rabbithole = multiple more rabbitholes. All worth exploring :)

[@TheBlackSpeed]

That's what it should be about, following those nuggets, growing, learning, maturing, and overall just enjoying some good, new music! I can appreciate this perspective and for sure understand it.