Genre-defying artist Ren releases his arresting second album, ‘Sick Boi‘, leading with the third installment to his ‘Money Game’ series. Watch the official video for ‘Money Game Part 3‘.
Ren is an artist who defies categorization, catching the broad scope of hip-hop, poetry, performance art and raw, visceral storytelling in his songwriting. Ren is front-man, producer, creative director, and emotional truth-teller of a world divided from his imagination. His hotly tipped, viral appeal is all his own work. Ren is a street preacher for our times.
Over the last two years, Ren has been treated for Lyme disease and brain damage, making him ‘Sick Boi’ in all senses of the word, both literal and metaphorical. He has dedicated this time to completing an 18-track, hip-hop focused album that documents his personal experiences through sickness and mental health in coruscating sonic detail. Ren delved into writing ‘Sick Boi’ at full pelt, embodying different personas, leaning deeply into his emotions, raising important generational conversations amongst listeners. He has created a judgment-free space to escape in, which has frequently broken the internet. Ren’s natural vitality comes from a place of truth.
On the opening single ‘Seven Sins’, through a barrage of strings and beats, Ren introduces a modern, secular but biblical atmosphere with his impressively seamless rap flow. The Welsh artist delivers a detailed insight to the physical pain he had to endure whilst living with a succession of illnesses, opening our eyes to the frustrations he had to battle throughout.
‘Sick Boi’ see’s Ren fearlessly facing up to his experiences. He discusses his multiple misdiagnoses, personal trauma and ongoing journey with mental health and psychosis. The implication throughout is that, as humans we are truly powerful beings who can overcome any challenge put in our way. The project features Ren’s previous work, including the heartfelt track ‘Suic*de’ about the passing of his friend Joe, the Orwell-inspired tribal song ‘Animal Flow’, the punchy ‘Murderer’, ‘Illest Of Our Time’ ‘Love Music Pt.4’, and ‘Lost all Faith’.
Ren’s most well-received song on Spotify, ‘Money Game Pt.2’, currently stands with over 18M+ streams. The follow-up, ‘Money Game Pt.3’ is a strong introduction to ‘Sick Boi’ and a brilliant third installment. To launch the track and video Renbrought the narrative to life in a virtual ‘Money Game’. This treasure hunt activation saw fans faced with seven challenges rooted in the seven deadly sins that lead to daily £1000 prizes and clues to face the next set of puzzles.
The six-and-a-half-minute track is a conceptual story about a boy called Jimmy and the fault of the seventh deadly sin: greed. Accompanied with a fierce piece of digital theatre, Ren‘s self-directed cinematic visuals instantly captures the attention of the audience; drawing them into the gripping journey Ren has formulated.
Ren has produced a multifaceted project that showcases his production skills, theatrical talents, and ability to make listeners feel immediate empathy and connect to his art.
Music and storytelling have forever been intrinsic to him as a multi-hyphenate artist, most commonly known for his viral sensation ‘Hi Ren’. Released in December 2022, the hit combined elements of music, spoken word, art and theatre. It amassed an incredible 19M+ YouTube views and continues to make a global impact. Prior to this, the wordsmith shared a poignant rendition of The Verve’s’ iconic hit ‘Bittersweet Symphony’; currently sitting with 2.8M views. These releases alone have gained him co-signs from the revered Britpop band, as well as other musical heavyweights including The Prodigy, Limp Bizkit and the late, great Sinead O’Connor. In addition to these endorsements, Ren has recently received some brilliant radio support from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 6 and Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1.
Ren’s goal is to establish himself as a countercultural creative in control of his entire world. He loves visionaries like Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick and has already garnered comparisons to both via his loyal online fanbase. Beyond any particular musical style, his fans see Ren as a master narrator who effectively delivers potent messages that speak directly to their lives. Ren is connecting with his supporters at an elemental level; as human beings who can relate and learn from each other.
With an increasingly devoted audience of millions, Ren has built an impressive, cult-like global fan base. Together, they are turning into an invincible community. His artistry is built on truth. He is becoming the voice of the misunderstood. ‘Sick Boi’is Ren’s story of redemption.
‘Sick Boi’ is out everywhere now.
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