I feel like I’ve been living in an alternate universe where Ren didn’t exist and now he does and he always has.

My 13 year old grandson is on the autism spectrum. Music has always been a wee bit of a struggle for him, but while he no longer covers his ears and screams, it still has never been his thing, especially any singing...until Ren. I introduced him to "Hi, Ren" and it has become both our favorite songs. He is learning every word! We listen to it daily. He really enjoys Ren. As do I, a 70 year old grandma in love with a Welsh rapper! Recently bought the Freckled Angels cd and it gets played first thing every morning. Thank you, Ren.

This video is heartbreaking but still...any day I hear a Ren song is a better day. And indeed, my life is richer for knowing Ren's music.

He'll never know this and probably never see this. But this song saved some after a suicide attempt. This song made me realise life is beautiful. And there is beautiful people out there

Why has this never been widely heard ..wtf is going on. This should have blown up a decade ago

I know you know it, but probably refuse to acknowledge it because it's who you are, but then also secretly acknowledge it because it's true and obvious as all hell if you look and listen to this world that's now all around you... but Ren, you're changing lives. You're doing something that, I myself as a musician, have never seen in my 35 years of life on this planet. You're creating what should be required reading in school with your lyrics. Especially in music classes, also for therapists, counselors, victims, I could go on for days but I won't. You're changing the ways things have been assumed as how music is supposed to be composed, for a very long time. You are taking rap and breaking it down and the composing skills needed to write what you're writing!? Somehow?? Then, you're going one further and using classical, and orchestral instruments to do it. It makes zero sense, but it's the best thing, in a very long time. The melodies interchanging, the pentatonic scale, the harmonies... and the sheer mental fact that "Hi Ren" was entirely recorded live in that one take, baffles ALL of us. For me, us, all of these people... they love you, and we share the same broken hearts. Your battle cry was written by the father of modern entertainment himself, "Once more unto the beach, dear friends, once more." - William Shakespeare Cheers bud

You can hear the anxiety iland stress in his voice.. we all love this boi

My Friend, look at you. Times goes away, some things change, people following you increase and so on. But there are some things that will be there always, the most important ones. Even if I don't know you personally, I really appreciate you and your life journey, Ren.

My best friend Liz that I've known since we were 6 years old, took her life last year and it wrecked me. I found your music just a few months ago... It has absolutely transformed my view on art of music. I really mean this from the bottom of my heart. Ren, thank you! Thank you for not giving up and continuing to share your gifts with us all. We need you right now. This song is one of my favorites. Teared me up because I could feel the pain that you had when you wrote it for your friend because it reminded me of my own

The Angels are Yelling to Joe, Hey, Joey, Ren Singing a Song to Ya, and all the Angels are sitting around Clapping and Tapping Their Feet.

The best "goodbye for now" song I've heard in a long time. Ren was amazing even back then, apparently. May Joe rest safe in the halls of his ancestors (or wherever he wanted to end up), watching over those he left behind. What is remembered, lives. Hail Joe!

fuck it, he deserve way more recognition for everything. His songwriting is just so profound and beautiful.

This brother has always been a legend! RIP Joe

just how upset you sound at the start of the song when your talking about your friend shows how much he meant to you. im sure hes proud of you. and looking over making sure you get through it all. a truly beautiful and inspiring song R.I.P joe.

Sitting here on lunch hour, in the cornfields of Indiana, listening to your music. How lucky I am to live in a day and age when I can tune into something and someone so incredible.

My freckled Angel was my best mate for over 20 of 32 years until he lost his fight to his demons, Stephen Barrett (Freck), ill never forget you bro, freckled Angels laugh the hardest 💚

I am here 11 years late...but this is awesome

😢 you did your friend justice. You truly are an amazing soul ❤

I come here after listening to "Su!cide" and "For Joe", beautiful heart-touching music and lyrics 👏👏👏👏

Crying listening to these words... these last couple of years I've been surrounded by suicide 2 close friends and a number of people I've known through life... it feels like all I hear is another person's given up on life but I've leant to accept they are at peace.. when I hear this song I see their happy smiling faces... thanks you for your beautiful words

I always listen to this after hearing it in Freckled Angel Restaurant, Menai Bridge. (My girlfriend’s mum works there). The restaurant is also dedicated to Joe 😊

i'm watching this in self quarantine thanks to covid-19 and I don't know if ren reads the comments but i'm sure other people will see this. freckled angels was the first song I heard by ren, and it stuck with me because I recently lost a close friend to suicide and this was the one song that made me smile despite the hole that I felt in my soul. the hole is still there but this song always helps me to remember the good things and to know that now, he's safe. reading that ren has gone through the same thing brought me to tears again and I guess I just wanted to say, what a man he is. big big love and respect for you dude. we are not alone in this.

Man I came across your music from "Hi Ren" and have gone through many of your videos to learn about your story and music. As cool as the cover performances were busking with the Collabs and bands, the original music that's just you is so unique and special. F*CK fame. What you're making and leaving behind is special and will help inspire many people to stay strong and many other seek their own path. 👏👏👏

Beautiful, you've done your friend a great justice. Raw emotions.

Rest in power Joe - this song shows how much you were truly loved ❤

Back again a month later. In tears for all the lives lost and their families and friends. They are all honored in this song.✨❤️Light and love to all. And appreciation for Ren.

This is a reminder to tell everyone you know you love them, because one day they will be gone. I have missed the opportunity to tell some people i loved them for one last time. I never got to say goodbye to my dad and tell him I loved him before he went away, I never got the chance to tell my Grandparents I loved them and I never got to tell a lot of friends who are no longer here that I loved them. Keep their memories alive and tell stories, because they will be proud of you as you are of them. They are the people who made you who you are today.

I cry listening to this song every time I hear it it's stopped me doing the unthinkable a few times thank you

Losing my best friend this march was the hardest loss I've ever experienced...and I've lost both of my parents. I know it's been a long time since you lost him. But I'm sorry for your loss..

I don’t know how many times I’ve listened this to this, but this song still gets me every time. Those lyrics, that emotion and that horrible inconsolable heartache. What a stunning tribute to a fallen friend. Well done Ren.

And so just like that, my heart broke.......and was mended in one song.

Still the best version of this song for sure...so raw

You must be a very strong person, I couldn’t see listening to this. You deserve all that is happening now. All good things.

Like many people I’m relatively new to Ren and his music, but this song is incredible. This should be as viral as ‘Hi Ren’ 👍

I remember my freckled angel. I just want to share his name with others. He was my cousin. He was my best friend. He was the only dude who knew what I was going through because he was always at my side. I got busy with life, forgot about him for a year or two and I wasn't there at his. He left this world battling addictions and all I have left is his printer.. a grey box that became the canvas painted red with his "in the moment" decision. The canvas that reminds me every time I see it that I failed him. Kelly Salmon. I miss you brother.

I just learned this song on guitar for my brother who passed early.... now to emotionally recover... hoo boy ❤

So heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time !!! Thank you Ren !!!

My best friend died a year ago next week. I needed this. Thank you Ren.

REN is a genius period 🎵❤😊

Awww Ren long time ago but I’m in tears watching this video…I was listening to ‘Freckled Angels’ last night on Apple Music I just love you more & more the more I listen to you from the start… you must know by now how loved you are but imma say it again “We love you Ren” (see what I done there) you are so special to us all… thank you for sharing your beautiful self & beautiful talent with us all ❤❤

Joe Hughes; freckled Angel living forever in song and in the memory of family and friends. I bet he's looking down and belting out the lyrics alongside you Ren. Much love ❤

I found Ren's music a couple months ago and have been a big fan ever since. I feel his music and poetry down to my soul every time I hear him. 🎶

Oh how cute he looks here 🥺 What a great song and performance ❤

I honestly do not know how Ren keep it together as well as he did performing this! My heart is in my throat and my stomach ties up in knots every time I listen to it.

down the rabbit hole I go!

I think we all have a freckled angel belonging to us 😢 this is so raw and emotional imagine 8 months later he got up and did this. This hits so different when you can relate personally to suicide

Speechless..... Best Regards from F'n'F Family Lincoln U.K

I love this song and felt like I knew the lyrics the first time. I lost my best friend in 2001 and it still feels like yesterday.

wow Ren! Every single one of your tunes are beautifully insane

Im listening to this tribute at least 9years later and now i know the name joe hughs this song is a gift to everyone because we all have lost someone so dear to our hearts!

You, Ren, are an Angel.

This is such a beautiful song. It hurts to think about our angels that are gone, but it's beautiful how you keep his memory alive in your music. Thank you for sharing this with us 🖤

Thankyou 4 this song..The heart , amongst you're treasure box..

I've had this song stuck in my head for days

This somg gets ne every time bro. RIP Tags and Joe❤

Was looking at our old school photo the other day, so weird that he's not around anymore, you never think anything'll happen to the people you grow up with. RIP brah.

So beautiful 😌 all the best to you and warm greetings from germany

If you ever want to know what love is, this is it, what a fantastically brilliant tribute to a best friend. Ren is a beautiful song smith. His words come from the heart, you are such a talent.

Christ almighty u are surreally talented. Can't believe u aren't already a celeb singer.

This song hits hard after your latest. Keep on keeping on, Ren.

Joe Hughes! LOVE Thanks Ren! X

Straight from the heart... pure feeling.. emotional touch down... thx

Just so beautiful.

True artists are always best live.

Writing and singing is how we temper our grief.

Ren your my inspiration first song I heard was this, reminds me of my brother we always used to fight but now he's gone and I've never been the same since

This right here is art at its finest, raw and genuine. Thank you. You deserve so much more than most famous artists out there. Don't let fame change you in the least.

This song makes me appreciate the people around me!

Who's listening in 2021?? This song is still so amazing:)

Just found this song...made me think of a freind I lost a long time ago....thanks for the cry mate....I needed it

This one yet again made me cry! Not in a bad way. Just in away that goes I feel your pain. I feel my own pain from different things in life. Thank you for Shinning some light in the darkness ( so to speak).

Just... INCREDIBLE REN!

You are an angel Ren❤

Still my favourite song Ren.

What a tribute sorry for your friend

I have Brighton sunglasses and my doc is in Brighton. How cool 😊

I only found you about two weeks ago. Been finding and watching your stuff and I have to say, having looked at the date on this video, you've been awesome for ages! Keep being you bud, amazing!!

Fuckin hell Ren. This is so beautiful. I heard this song this morning for the first time and it brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing tribute to your friend Joe. You are a brilliant lyricist and musician. I'll all in buddy and my daughters who are 11 and 9 love your music too. I will save your darker songs for them when they get older but I'm loving listening to your music. It's real, it's genuine, it's truthful and it comes from the heart.

Just bawling. Again. So much love.

I saw him a few years ago, he has an incredible voice! This song is so emotional it actually brought tears to my eyes.

This is just so beautiful it's your soul speaking

No better song could have been written for a friend.

I hate how long this has taken to come to light! I have an experience where I was on time. It could've easily been a few moments too late. My friend now has a beautiful wife and 5 beautiful kids. (Okay, I messed up the overpopulation aspects), but I would have been shattered as well. Rapidly wrapping some ones wrists at 17 on a school night, in only your boxers, is traumatizing. I spent the night, embarrassed, sitting in the waiting room. Then, I stopped being embarrassed, because I was the person that saved him. You're still a good person because you tried. The distance was much shorter for me. That's the only reason he's still with us. Unfortunately, You had to go further. It's not your fault Ren. It's the world we live in.

Such a beautiful tribute to his dear friend. Glad to hear such a graceful piece. I am certain that Joe is very proud of this piece. ^^

Ren your inane talent is like a brilliant star. One that is brighter than the rest, stands out in the dark of the night sky.

Omg this gave me whole body tingles, and made me cry uncontrollably. 😢

This hits that one place where you don't know what you feel but it's amazing

Some things are not meant to be disliked, to those 18 people who disliked this video I wonder what is wrong with such an amazing video like this.

Still my favourite song brother.

You make me cry Ren… and I'm a 47 year old man!

Rip Joe Hughes, and absolute amazing tribute! I'm sure he's looking down on you now, good job man. X

Ren beautifully done, I am sure your friend is smiling down at u& is with u....These souls are the most special Angels, I think lots can relate to this song...beautiful!!!♥ ♥

I really hope joe is loving today 😢

WOw Amazing

If I had one wish it would be to be born as a friend of your's at the pier cave!!! I'd do anything to take back what happened, but it made you who you are, and that is what Joe gave you to make you who you are!!! Not saying it doesn't make your heart break daily, but if it didn't happen you may not have become the inspiration to the masses that you've become, Ren!! My condolences!!! May Joe never be forgotten!!!

A friend showed me this song. This song is incredibly important to me because of him.

I can't be the only one.... This melody, the rhythm the beat ❤ struck a familiar cord with me immediately!!! Why's Ed Sharon: The A Team Have literally damn near the same type of rhythm, melody etc😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤ Love both musicians regardless, but ... anyone else hear it??... No? Just me ... 😊 lol

Just found this one. Some of his stuff sounds like throwaway pop ditties but is still really powerful. Got a bit teary eyed. I love how he puts all of his innermost thoughts and emotions into his music. Imagine having someone write something like this about you when you pass.

Knowing the story makes this so sad

Losing a loved one to suicide is a heartbreaking. Ren put it into a song that all of us who've had that experience can identify with and went on to raise an impressive donation for the RNLI team who went out on the search for Joe. Massive respect to him & hugs to everyone who lost a loved one to suicide.