Stages of watching Hi Ren: This looks creepy Guitar sounds nice Oh he’s singing Will the whole song be like this? Here’s the beat Ok he’s rapping now This guy is scary Now he seems nice Oh I see what he’s doing This is interesting This is intense The mean guy is a jerk This is INTENSE Make it stop I haven’t blinked or taken a breath in 2 minutes Go Ren! YES! OOO-OO-OO-OO-OO-.. I need some time to be still

The Tale of Jenny and Screech and Violet's Tale, watch all three together in that order, they are like paragraphs of a book. The last line of the last song is like being punched in the gut, it's emotional. Edit, I've seen a few reactors immediately cry at the end, tissues at the ready boys.

WOW! " i can understand why this is not for everyone, 'cause sometimes truth isn't for everyone." FIRE! I literally stood up and clapped for that one.

I know Ren doesn't care about the BS industry, but he deserves every accolade and industry wide recognition for this. Seriously, this should be song of the year, video of the year, mental health awareness campaign of the year, and more. Calling on all Ren fans - let's make this happen. Download everywhere, share everywhere, lobby everywhere. Salute. Peace.

For some more context on Hi Ren, here is what Ren posted regarding Hi Ren on an earlier video description (this was written before he released Hi Ren in December 2022): "Nina Simone once said that it was an artists duty for their work to fearlessly reflect their life circumstances. In 2016 I had a stem cell transplant that saved my life, this video was taken two year before that. After the transplant I decided to force my past into a little box and hide it from myself. I wouldn't ever watch this video back. There has always been a part of me that's terrified that I'll end up back here and loose myself again. That part of me always gets loudest when I'm on my own with my thoughts. When I got better and my music started becoming successful after years of never thinking it would be possible I almost treated it as a reincarnation. I'd barley talk about where I'd come from with friends, but despite my best efforts my past usually found a way to leak into my music. Here I was convinced I was going to die. I was severely underweight, I had severe bone pain every day, I could barley eat food, I suffered extreme fatigue to the point even standing in a shower was excruciating. I ended up in a state of stress induced psychosis, my minds only rational explanation for the level of suffering I was enduring was that it was some kind of demonic intervention or that i was part of some twisted experiment or study. This had been my life for years. I'd bounced from doctor to doctor full of hope only to have my heart repeatedly stamped on when my condition only worsened. Cut to present day and PTSD from years of my body torturing itself stopped me from doing work that I think is vital. Shedding light on a very under-lit , underfunded, and barley understood area. The plight of the chronically sick. Millions of people all over the world are missing. Trapped inside themselves. Conditions like ME/CFS, ehlers danlos syndrome, POTS, MCAS, lyme disease, M.S. etc. Receive such little funding. To put the lack of funding into perspective, male pattern receives over one thousand times the funding than many of these chronic illnesses do combined. Recent studies found the quality of life of a person with chronic M.E. was significantly worse than someone with HIV or breast cancer. M.E. is currently one of the most underfunded disease at the national institute of health. I was one of the exceptionally few very lucky people to escape before I died after receiving a stem cell transplant and finding a hugely restrictive diet that stopped my autoimmunity flaring to the point where it was disabling but I still suffer a wide array of symptoms every day. To dive deeper into living up to the words of the late and great Nina Simone, who has for a long time been a great source of inspiration for me, I wanted my next piece of work to fearlessly stare my past in the face despite the trauma of doing so. 'Hi Ren' comes out on the 15th December at 7pm."

This guy is a special talent

Ren is a top egg

Can see how much of an impact this performance had on Spencer. Like Ren states his music is really connecting and the people who find it respect it. The trilogy Jenny's Tale, Screech's Tale and Violet's Tale are a wonderful look in on his storytelling. The Hunger is a Rap Statement of intent. What You Want is a Beastie Boysesque old school hip hop romp. Chalk Outlines with Chinchilla is a haunting and beautiful look into feeling lost. Sick Boi is a vent against the doctors and medical industry he's come up against during his battle with illness as well and links it with rampant capitalism and the nature of the music industry. He's a very versatile artist with a lot to say and some wonderfully creative ways of portraying his work. A huge talent who just seems to be lifting off.

As others have suggested, please check out his trilogy “The Tale of Jenny and Screech(FULL).”

He is a once in a lifetime talent. A creative genius. All his previous work is varied and just as thought provoking or fun and enjoyable. I’ve seen him busking in Brighton with a band and they are awesome. His struggles and being dropped by Sony years back have lead him becoming this force of creativity. Captivating, inspiring, shocking at times. Try the tale of Jenny and screech and violets tale the three songs together is an epic journey. Though I’ve never seen anything he’s released that was epic.

This song was live and done in one take, they had 4 cameras and filmed it 4 times and picked the best one. This song is a legacy and will be remembered forever. Ren is from my island lol its crazy the level of talent on this guy

Ren is undergoing treatment in Canada I believe, so this song along with all his others is from a very personal place. I think this is one of the most profound musical experiences ever performed.

I've watched this about ten times now and i still like i've witnessed something i shouldn't have. It's exhausting but indescribable. I hope Ren manages to stay for a long time

Ren is Brill.... from North Wales too! He's suffered for a long time and I hope all the credit he's getting is helping him dig his way out!

It's good to see Ren finally getting the recognition he deserves. There are no bad songs. He's a rapper. He's a singer. He's guitarist. He's a story teller. There is no box to put his talent in because he has too much. His song with chinchilla called "chalk outlines" always hits me hard. Most of his videos are one take live recordings which is somethibg that just amazes me.

Someone suggested recently that this song is the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' of our time. I agree with that. Ren will become a very important artist it seems to me. I have been listening to his stuff for a few years. it just keeps getting better. Although his subject matter is dark, he brings a playful mischievousness to his songwriting and storytelling, and he is a storyteller. (Probably the Welsh in him) he is a modern day bard or minstrel. His London trilogy 'The Tale of Jenny and Screech / Violet's Tale, illustrate this beautifully.

Awesome to see some fellow MD people have a reaction channel ! I just stumbled on Ren about a week ago. This video should be required viewing for the world. Great musician and message from this video. Great reaction also guys. Just subscribed to your channel also !!!

Ren is a musical and lyrical genius!!! Most of his music videos are performed live and in 1 camera shot... Highly recommend reacting to Ren's Tales Trilogy; Jenny's Tale followed by Screech's Tale and then Violet's Tale... They're all available in 1 video on Ren's KZfaq channel. Also highly recommend Ren's latest single, Sick Boi, and an amazing live version of his track Chalked Outline feat. Chinchilla. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I've been watching you guys for over a couple of years now, (though I rarely comment), but I don't think I've ever seen Spencer more engrossed in any video ever. You could tell it really meant something, as it clearly has for so many others. That was compelling to watch, but now I can't wait till you get round to seeing Ren's trilogy. Just make sure you watch them in the right order! Jenny's tale, Screech's tale, then Violet's tale. Much love from the UK both.

Long time fan of The Channel. Great to see you guys react to Ren. Just a FYI he's independent & not on a label so if you did feel like reacting to any of his other stuff you can do so without dealing with any potential copyright strikes (I've seen Ren mention this in the comments on another reaction channel)

A real Welsh Cerddawr. Cerddawr is the welsh for a professor of any art, an artist, a songster, a minstrel. Comes from the Welsh word Cerdd meaning, a putting in form, order or harmony; an art; a trade; also the art of poetry; a piece of poetry or music; a song

Been following this guy on KZfaq for a couple of years. He is a special talent, with a real soulful voice when singing, but raps too. Also search The Big Push, which is a band he also performs with. He also duet with a guy called Sam Tompkins, search Ren and Sam.

I was hoping you guys would get onto this one! Thanks! Looking forward to more Ren reactions!

Really appreciate you guys covering this. The YT community knows the struggles of keeping originality. Great of you to showcase this crazy talented dude.

Been listening to Ren for a few months, this kid is a modern day bard. Genius lyricist and musician.

Glad you found this boys… he deserves the attention in my opinion. You should check his other stuff, he also performs with a band called the big push.

Been waiting on you guys checking this out. Very talented artist Ren. Looking forward to seeing what he does next. You should check out some of his other stuff. He has some fantastic busking videos with his band The Big Push - I Shot the Sherrif/Road to Zion/Hip Hop is a great one that covers a lot of musical bases, with a nice little reggae feel that I know you guys like.

Just seen your reaction to Hi Ren.. you guys got it straight away ..I think Ren just wrote a master class in music, jesus he hit us all in the sweet spot.

I just love his diversity he has recently done a cover of Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. Outstanding

I enjoy seeing youtubers getting their minds blown with musical art. I have watched and listened to a couple hundred HI REN reactions and look for new youtubers, to me,and you got a new subscriber in me. Keep doing what ya doin. KEEP MOVING FORWARD. 🤜🤛 SHARING IS CARING 1 more subscriber for your channel to 100k😁 Ren's music is the word that is like the song needed for peace in BILL AND TEDS movie,from WYLD STALLIONS.

This blew me away when I first saw it and I honestly believe it will save lives.

Love you guys as always...,.:⁠,⁠-⁠)

It's impossible to define genius. But we know it when we see it (well, most of us).

One of your best reactions. I love the respect you gave the messages in the song.

Great reaction to this gem of a message.

The rabbit hole you need to go down is there for you. Money 1&2, chalk lines live, he has a band, they are off the charts good.... So many to find, hip hop crazy lines, voices of angels.. look forward to watching you reactions. Great stuff

I battle demons and feel your words man my way is making a point to prove my inner pessimist wrong and each win gives a sliver of confidence to take to the next inner battle much respect

Haha I knew you'd have to get on this. It amazing 👏 haven't watched yet with you. Let's go

Love this reaction. Daniel got it while Spencer looked liked he'd been punched. Roberta Flack sang "I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud" and that was what I got from Spencer. Rest assured, lots of us have heard your music S and you're crushing it.

Discovered this today ,blew my mind🔥🔥🔥 Lost count how many times I've played it since.

I’m so glad yous reacted to Ren, he’s really getting a lot more recognition recently. Apart from being so talented and creative, he’s just such a genuine and compassionate guy. I’d recommend checking out his older stuff also, “blind eyed” was one of his first viral ones (live). He also had a band called The Big Push - definitely check out their lives - for a more lighthearted, indie/rock vibe. And “Sick Boi”, his newest.

thanks guys you rock a million

This is taking art to another level that touches the depths of what it is to be human!

Sick boi is a must listen it about him being misdiagnosed for 1/2 decade eventually being diagnosed with Lyme disease

Also check out "The Big Push" Rens part of a busking rock band absolutely fantastic

U hav to learn tge difference between subjective and objective critisism but as qn artist when its your soul put there on display...man its HARD.

Hit you with a sub thankyou for taking time for ren he makes us proud to be British 👍

Loved watching you react to this, also for hoisting my flag. SOMD guy here

You two did a great reaction! I think this piece is deeper than, "We all experience this to some extent." Most of us relate at THAT level, but I think it's deeper. He has experienced such depths of despair and anguish that "we" can't even fathom. In his closing, he mentions psychosis. That is WAY beyond what most people deal with. Hallucinations... completely convinced that 'other person' is real. Being terrified of the confrontation with that 'other side.' I know I can't truly relate, but I can do my best to try and empathize with those who experience these symptoms. This one piece of art really Has changed my attitude towards those I don't know. I need to be (as Ren says) softer. I have been more forgiving and even kinder to those I deal with. Family, co-workers, strangers.... all around. I thank Ren for this message!!

Most artists, or people who attempt something artistic have self doubt, or 'imposter syndrome'. I've tried a few things - poetry, photography, played in a band and sang many times. I've written two books, the first of which is being published in April. Thing is I get the doubt, the worry, the feeling that what I've written isn't any good. I went through a stage where I read the manuscript and changed and changed and changed things constantly until I realised it was never going to be what I wanted it to be. If it sells one copy I'll be happy. I say this purely and simply because this song resonated with me so much, and having read many comments and seen many reactions to it, I understand much of what Ren is saying. That said, the song isn't the Bohemian Rhapsody of these times as someone has written. I would say that it's akin to some of the best Dylan or beatles songs. I wish Ren all the success in the world - an artist who has struggled with both his physical and mental health and has had the strength to heal himself. That, in and of itself, is a truly remarkable achievement.

All the squirming from the guy on the right shows he can't handle this type of honesty

You boys need to watch London 2023 new years fireworks celebration.... awesome

Thanks for your reaction. I like how you put what's going in this song in your own words and the words fit so much. So everybody can see that those words came straight out of your hearts.

You guys already had the wisdom Ren was sending. I'm impressed. You both knew that we have and need both dark and light. A lot of reactors have seen and experienced both but very few understand we have both and the darkness serves a purpose. Well done

So excited seeing you guys react to this. Been following you boys for a while now and to see you watching Ren, who I see busk in my home town Brighton UK, is incredible. I know you guys love going down rabbit holes and this is probably one to check out, as he produces and promotes everything himself. His solo stuff is amazing (Jenny+Screeches tales as already suggested) also his work with Sam Tompkins - Blind eyed live, and finally him and his band big push. All worth a look. Keep up the good work 👍

You guys are great ❤

Awesome reaction guy’s 😊 this song was my first time hearing Ren the second song I listened to was Sick Boi and it didn’t disappoint 😊❤

So glad you have discovered Ren, kid is a genius, how he puts into words the human condition is unreal x

More Ren please or take a dive into the band he was in 'the Big Push', their street busking videos are amazing.

For some reason I really connected to you guys. Especially when you said this song could be doubting anything not just music.

Start by watching the trilogy, The Tale of Jenny and Screech and Violet's Tale. It shows his amazing story telling ability at its absolute peak. I guarantee you will love it.

Now this I like. Thanks for the introduction, I will be checking his back catalogue

From all the comments from every reaction I watched of hi ren, his song is for everyone

He is a very talented musician and vocalist if you watch his live stuff busking he’s insane

Glad you liked it, I have been playing this to everyone I know and everyone is blown away by Ren. On the comments about a midlife crisis, this could have been a compliment as Midlife Crisis is an epic tune, and even if meant with malice you have been impactful enough to get a response and therefore continued to touch lives in society.... so either way take it as a positive as you (both of you) are awesome... cheers guys

Been watching your videos for a lil while now but this is the reaction that finally got me to hit subscribe. Loved the reaction and you guys really unpicked and understood the song well! Since discovering it Ren has quickly become one of my favourite artists. Spenser especially being a musician, and I see the negative comments you get on these videos and just wanted to say fuck um man, as Dan said focus on the positive. Also, you guys should defo react to Ren's trilogy - The Tale of Jenny and Screech and Violet's Tale. Masterclass in music, performance and storytelling. You can find it all in one video.

Check out ren and his band the big push busking in Brighton. They do a melody of I shot the sheriff/road to Zion/ hip hop. Absolutely amazing performance

Wow I'm nearly 70 and I found this so powerful . Spencer never let the bas***ds grind you down.

thanks for your respect!!

I recently discovered this and went through his collection of songs, The Violet trilogy is amazing but this is his Magnum Opus. One of the most powerful and beautiful things I have seen. Incredible.

I've actually got Tears Running down my Face .I was spellbound.

Just found your channel and I have found you cant stop your mind from thinking BUT you CAN control what you think about by forcing yourself to think about another topic.

Definitely want more Ren.

Speechless

This was filmed live in one take aswell just another skill he has amazing xx

Great reaction..

Automatic two thumbs up guys!

Make the dichotomy good and better. Good cause I learned a lesson and better because now, I have experience.

Tales of Jenny and Screech/Violets Tale Trilogy as also a masterpiece in performance and storytelling. Chalk Outlines is also a gem.

Great to see Ren finally blowing up... Check out The Big Push who he used to play with too

You boys totally “got” what this seems to be saying IMHO ❤

Thanks for reacting to this brilliant Ren piece. In other news: Howdy from Maryland. Do you gentlemen need a space heater?

Check out Ren's fun stuff, 'losing it' and 'What you want'

Nice to see 2 Americans react to Ren without even flirting with the "captions" button and catching it perfectly 1st time, lol. It appears you are both learned in our ways and our British lilt is now at 1 with your ears ... or somefin' like that

I understand the comment 'this isn't for everyone' however it should be for everyone. Everyone needs to hear his message.

The term "song" doesn't cover this. This is one of those vanishingly rare, truly captivating, artistic outpourings of the soul. Just *so* good. p.s. Spencer, have a friend screen comments on uploads of your own work. Bearing in mind the fact that YooToob comments truly can be the a$$-cancer of the internet, there's no reason to read the bile that spews out of some deeply broken individuals yourself. Have someone fish out the reasonable/positive/encouraging ones for you, & post your responses. Not everyone is Joe Rogan who can afford to just not look at *any* comments! ;)

Great reaction! Just subbed 😊

Spencer, take a few deep breaths. (Spencer gets it).

The foreshadowing of the monologue at the end was unreal at 8:57

So glad you guys have found Ren.....Trust me, his back catalogue is unbelievably varied but all brilliant....I'm sensing another rabbit hole 😄 As has been said below, The Tale of Jenny and Screech(full), but also Chalk outlines(with Chincilla), Moneygame pt 2, what you want( I think you'll dig the vibe), cover of War Pigs with his old band The Big Push...so, so many. Enjoy ✌

This guy is multitalanted, if it isn´t singer/songwriter, it´s reggae, or hiphop. You guy´s should check out his old school hiphop/Beastie Boys tribute "What you want" and other strong songs like "Chalk outlines" and "Money game" and his own version of "Bittersweet symphony"

As you guys are reggae fans, check out Ren and The Big Push I shot the sheriff…it will blow you away it’s so good ….the guy is so talented

Ren❤👍🔥🔥🔥

I HOPE yall fall DEEP in THIS rabbit hole! REN is a BRILLIANT ARTIST! I've been on a BINGE 3 WKS NOW! 🤷‍♀️✌️❤️🔥🔥🎶🎶 SUBBED for MORE! 😁 and I've said the SAME thing about a collab with NF! GREAT minds think alike! 😏😎

Yes you 2 🤙 guys Ren got so many amazing song you should check them All out 🤟🤙💙

This is unbelievable

Tremendous

Great reaction guys, somehow I'd missed this track, I saw it on my recommend and added it to watch later and then life happens etc so this was my first introduction to this, and wow!! Gonna go check out what else they got in a minute! interesting to watch your reactions too, although a lot to take in everything at once. Spencer, (and other humans too), if you do read the comments and see this - There have been studies and whatnot that show that generally speaking it takes approximately 10 (TEN!!) positive comments, compliments, affirmations etc to have the same psychological impact as just 1 (One, singular) negative or destructive comment. I don't recall all the details, I cannot immediately cite sources but it should be pretty easy to look into it. I don't know why we humans are wired this way. It could be due to limitations in whatever studies and analysis were conducted, or subconscious bias; it could be that it is factual and accurate within certain demographics but not others; it could be that it is universal across all peoples of any background; it could be a hard-wired inherent brain thing, it could have evolved over time, it could be a modern phenomenon I don't know But it is crazy the ratio, how much the mind latches onto the negative

My favourite is Ren track is, Right here, Right now... a complete opposite of what you just saw. Talented kid.

Nice one Spence 👍👍