Ren is a singer, songwriter, rapper and multi-instrumentalist producer who made his solo professional recording debut in 2016 with the album Freckled Angels. However, the multi-talented artist’s creative journey started long before that.
A decade ago, the twenty-something musician was a teen phenom with a record deal in his pocket and a bright future ahead. Tragically, Ren’s plans were derailed by debilitating mental and physical issues. Undiagnosed Lyme disease left him trapped in his bedroom for years. While in seclusion, he wrote and recorded music.
When he finally went public, Ren’s deeply personal tales of his own internal emotional struggles struck a chord with millions of fans around the world. Without the aid of any record label, the young artist has produced numerous platinum singles. Each new song is accompanied by an equally impactful video released to the singer’s 500K subscriber YouTube channel.
“Hi Ren” is his latest, released worldwide via all major streaming services on December 15, 2022. The video opens with a bloody butcher in a pig mask wheeling a hospital-gowned Ren into an empty and dingy room. The musician introduces the epic 9:19 piece with an expertly executed avant-garde classical guitar intro. Soon he launches into an brilliant, and disturbing dialog with himself.
Playing both his own devil and angel, the singer argues with his insecurities and mental illness. The Yin of each positive affirmation is met with the Yang of self-doubt and mockery. Like a cross between Andreas Segovia and Eminem, he continues this classical/hip-hop psychological warfare with himself, until the man caught between his own two violently opposing sides finally finds peace somewhere in the middle, and shelter from the storm.
Watch the excellent “Hi Ren” below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Dive playlist, or listen on your favorite streaming service. Follow the links below to connect with the artist. Get on his socials and dive into a deep and rich catalog of music from this remarkably talented young man.