Phillip's wife Susan here. Great reaction. Found it interesting to hear what you were saying about radio stations needing to be bold enough to get behind Ren's music.
Wow, I KNEW we were all standing on the threshold of another massive musical movement! Your reaction was so good that it made me want to jump out of my chair. Earlier today I saw Scru Face Jean's reaction to this song. He always says up front that he's going to be brutally honest about what he hears and feels from each song, regardless of how angry his viewers get. And today he pointed out to all fledgling and up-and-coming rappers that Ren gives equal weight to every aspect of each video, musically, lyrically and visually. He also said that having a limited budget is no excuse for making a shoddy video; Ren makes great art on a shoestring. According to Scru, Ren is someone to pay attention to. That seal of approval is hard to come by. And now your reaction was the icing on the cake.
Barrington Levy "murderer" 93' Ska references spot on, great reaction as always.
This is a fantastic track - the beat, the melodies (guitar & vocal), the hook, the reggae feel. You can dance to it (in fact you have to, you have no choice) !! Soooo commercial (if people are brave enough to play it). The title, and the way he sings it, is a homage to Jamaican reggae singer Barrington Levy who had a song of the same name.
Great reaction, thank you for posting.
Not sure he's flexing as much as he's playing a character in a few of the most recent songs, similar to Screech. Ren said in his Twitch live stream after the release that this video takes place chronologically before Animal Flow. The Human he abducts (I think he called him Joe) is the same guy hanging by his wrists in the opening shot of Animal Flow video. Ren said "They are all connected" while tapping his head. It is amazing how this person can continue to blow minds.
We now live in the Reniverse
Yes abd I for one am more than happy ti be living in the Reniverse❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Loved your message to the station industry. Thank you for supporting Ren Gill. Love from the UK.
Dude, your perspective on and review of music is incredible. I’ve watched a few of your reactions and they’re always on point and have such depth. I don’t know your background but it must have been in writing for a music magazine. Great to hear reviews with substance
I spent 25 years working in Classic Rock and Active Rock from on-air to Program Director to Music Director. I was "discovered" waiting tables when someone heard me speak and I knew music. Now I'm a voice over guy and doing commercial production for a sports station here in Nashville. There's plenty more to my story, but I won't bore you!
Cheers,
Eric
You're so right about radio. Makes me crazy. There's one station in Chicago land that would jump on this when I was growing up. They've gone 99% corp on us. This would be on that station in the 80s when I was a teen. So frustrating.
@@pirateship74 do you agree?!? That's the only station I could see Ren being played on and not now but back then. I know - Lin. ☹️. What a bummer.
@@ricksurratt9034 wxrt in the 80s. They used to play everything. Wnur was good too. No idea how I remember them they were real low FM. Like 88 something. Im old!! 🤣
I love the way you explained this! The “dirtiness, and cleanliness without sharp edges”, was a great analogy that I have not heard yet. Truly appreciate your knowledge and sharing it with us! Much love and have a great day!
I truly hope Ren sees this. Eric, your opinion matters! And I 100% agree with you.
He needs to be on the radio now. Hell, if they can put Howard Stern on the radio,… come on.
Do it DJ’S!! Listen to Eric Clark now. Don’t miss out.
I have always felt that living within the broadcast range of KEXP has been a blessing, and more so every year. I first heard Hi Ren on the radio on my way to work in January, because they play whatever they want to play. (They stream now, so you don't have to live near Seattle to listen.)
"Linusian blanket." You are a poet, sir.
I hope he does make it on the radio this song is awesome and he deserves it
I hadn't thought about The Specials but yeah now you mention it it does check out. One of the things I love about Ren is his Ska (Punk) influences he incorporates in his material.
This one is has big Barrington Levy - Murderer vibes though, an artist with big success in UK and also in the (ragga) Jungle scene where Ren started out his producer career with (he fell in love with jungle/drum 'n bass and started making beats because of it)
I definitely got ska vibes from this. Specials, Madness, the Beat, and early Police threads seem to run through a lot of his work, which makes me really happy! Great reaction again!!!
Agree with everything you said! ❤❤
Eric..I like watching a wide variety of reactors (especially for Ren's tracks), but you are in my top 10 for sure. Love the analysis and musical history you deep dive into. It makes me feel less alone as I nerd out on the same things haha! Power on my friend!
Glad you could hear the Specials in that track, thought it was just me.😁 Cheers.
i truly appreciate your call out to your fellow radio collogues
Love, that you don't pause the track, but make notes. Oldschool is best. ;) Thanks for your reactions. Did you recognize the Barrington Levy song "murderer", as well?
Dude, love your insider perspective. Love the challenge to mainstream radio!
Great reaction. Thank you!
I went back to listen to I agains I, I agree a little, Ren does have a voice that is perfect for reggae.. I am sure Ren knew he would not be able to freely label his suicide track, knowing there would be an issue with it. He is always thinking and talked about being able to label one that talks about murder, and killing. Then the next track out is Murderer, labelled correctly and obviously no issue and can be monetised. Just pure genius. Your videos are great with real insight and knowledge of your industry. 😘😘😘
Great insight. You put into words the thoughts that were in my head but refusing to coalesce. And your music knowledge is so comprehensive. Thanks.
So love your reaction and historical knowledge. I'm an old woman who loves this song.
Nice reaction.. really enjoyed your knowledgeable input.. it’s a great song.. Thanks…I also liked you promoted kindness ❤
I been waiting forvyou to check this one i was hoping to see you react
Great reaction and commentary. Enjoyed your insight of the radio industry.
Thank you for reacting by taking notes and not pausing it then commenting afterward. Too many reaction channels pause it every 3 seconds and talk for 3 minutes then rewind it and repeat. Subbed.
Wow, have just come across you - you had my attention the minute you mentioned The Specials and the Ska influence and I found how you explained in such detail the sounds & chords etc really interesting. And finally i Loved your message to your Radio DJ peers. Instant Sub and have shared to my RENactions & Reactors FB group i set up to share our favourite Reactions from the thousands out there. Reactors are welcome there too to shamelessly self-promote their Ren related reactions
Thank you for sharing my video and promoting my channel! I'm a horrible self-promoter so I appreciate any help. I mean, I love attention, but don't want to come off that way, if that makes sense! Thank you again for the share, the sub, and the words.
Cheers,
Eric
Love how he is tying these videos together. Ex. The dude he kidnaps is hanging in Animal Flow video. Its genius.
I hear a very subdued hint of the "Nee Nee Nah" from Genesis at the end ...
(If you know, you know😉)
.
That's Ren, Genesis, not the band.
👌 Yup. You put it together sooo well! Dig your Wylde Side🤗
Ghost town is a great way to compare it, brilliant. The way you explain the familiar elements making it safe to explore new music is very insightful.. you have my sub !
wow dude thats a great reaction and shares similar views to myself. My opinion is that Ren knows his skill, is happy to be 'controversial' in his music, is happy to talk about difficult subjects like su*c*de whether it gets him censored or not, breaks the 'rules' for radio suitable music (7mins of Hi Ren is unlikely to get regular radio play on most stations), even breaking the musical rules of chorus/melody/breakdowns etc that form a standard pattern of most mainstream music these days, all while producing every aspect of his music as well as directing his music videos including one-takes like this track (and many others) is something that i honestly cant think of any other artist both past or present that manages to do this consistently across all his releases and all while doing this independently and on a very limited budget! oh and add to that the fact he is not limited to 1 genre either... sure right now we are experiencing his rap capabilities as he wanted to put something out that showed this skill, but his next album he has said is going to be something totally different again. You are totally correct that whichever radio stations catch on to him to share his art to their listeners is gonna hit onto something very special!
It reminded me, a little of some of the guitar led themes from 60s Brit-noir movies and TV shows in the intro. The Man of Mystery played The Shadows that was written for The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre tv show by Michael Carr, especially. The Specials did use something of the same guitar voicing as Hank Marvin.
Brother Clark, you are a bridge to the familiar voices of radio past that is sorely lacking today. I’m so glad I found you early enough to watch you blow up. Keep up the good work. It will be rewarded.
I like the way you compared this song to having a tone similar to the specials. I used to listen to them, and i'm sort of ashamed that I missed the comparison until you mentioned it
What a great reaction❤❤❤!!! Intelligent and inspiring!!
Hey Eric.
Try a couple of older Tracks from Ren, both featuring Eden Nash.
Humble.
Ocean.
Humble in particular could be a Summer hit at the beach (imo)
Now I think of it, Humble has a hint of Specials trumpet!
You always make sense in what you say, thank you.
How To Be Me live with Chinchilla! So raw and so good and let’s Ren introduce you to the incredible chinchilla
Much respect, as always. Excellent reaction
Great reaction and fantastic message, thank you!
Thank you, thank you. I am not musical, but have said for a while now that Ren makes his listeners feel "safe", even if his lyrics get a little dark. You have explained it so much better than I ever could. I was beginning to think I must be mad, because no one else seemed to be mentioning it.
After a few really heavy tracks Ren needed something a bit lighter. Although I'm not sure if it'll help Ren when I, as a 50+ soccer mom type, am sitting at the light in my mini van blasting and singing Murderer. Plus side, me and the kids (now in 20's) will finally be able to agree on music.
Great reaction. Down to earth and well articulated. Enjoyed this, thank you
I guess well articulated would’ve been what I should’ve said instead of you use a lot of big words. There’s so much larger than life, there big time ..lol.
Lol. I was struggling to find the right word without sounding pompous, and I think I failed!
Brilliant reaction and views on this new release from REN.
Really great and knowledgeable reaction
Oooh, I was hoping you'd find this one! Enjoyed your reaction; somehow this track called Murderer just makes this old lady want to dance and laugh!
You, I believe are so right about the stations getting behind and pushing Rens music forward. He has an amazingly loyal fan base. MSM found out just how loyal and passionate his fan base is when they tried to bash "Hi Ren" as encouraging suicide without even listening to it. He is such a talented treasure.
I really enjoy your thoughtful, articulate reactions to his music you cover points that others do not .
10:33 - Man, this made me emotional. Respect, brother.
Fantastic review. Ren is amazing.
Thank you - GREAT reaction to Ren's KILLA 💪🏼🐷🥊!!!
Nice that you recognize his fine musical inspirations, like the cool vibes from the Specials for example 🩵
Oh for the long lost days of Radio Caroline! We could do with a bit of off shore anarchy!
Really liked this reaction! I got the specials, bodycount, nwa and the skints. Barrington levy also! He’s an amazing musician and his friend Sam is an amazing videographer! That transition from inside the car to outside took me at least 10 watches to figure out what was going on!
I love your style 😍 excellent attitude you speak wise words 👍👌 he's gone and got no 1 in UK charts 👏👏🇬🇧😀❤️
This is what Ren has been talking about. Hyper polarisation, your right about this being a turning point for Radio. They needs to play tracks that are wanted and needed by their listeners. Appreciate your viewpoint. 😘😘😘
Great insight, thank you, let’s rebel 👍🙏🐊❤️🦉
Nostalgic Modernity is a great way to describe this!
Epic reaction. You make me proud to be a Gen Xer! Will it be up to us again to save the soul of the music world?
The Perfect Reaction ( and the song is brilliant too )
The murderer sample he sings is from Barrington Levy!
The specials reference I never saw till you pointed it out but a perfect analogy 👊🏻👏🏻👏🏻
"Imagine living in that neighbourhood and not knowing they were shooting a video" - I spotted something while you were watching the video which sort of tied in with a comment I read on another reaction channel. The guy walking on the other side of the road when the car stops seems to stop and watch from further along the road. At that point, there is an edit to the video (a car that wasn't there before appears on the right hand side of the road - although it does look like a one-take video), which suggests that they may have had to stop filming and let the guy know it's for a music video, rather than have the Police turn up.
Great points about radio and music culture today!
VERY SIGNIFICANT REACTION .REN MUST HEAR AND SEE THIS.
"THIS IS THE TIME TO STAND BEHIND THIS GAY"- A POWERFUL SENTENCE.
tHE BEST REACTION FOR REN.GREAT AND THANKS FOR WORDS.EVERYTHING IS BEST SAID.
I AM A WITNESS OF TIME AND TIME IS REN.
NO ONE HAS DESCRIBED REN LIKE THIS UNTIL NOW.
💯🖤
MUCH LOVE FROM CROATIA.
Your mentioning of the Specials shows a depth of understanding very rare in YooToob reactions- kudos! :)
perfect reaction and descriptors
You’ve got my sub! Looking forward to more Ren!
I have a hard time you use such large words. Your reactions are great. I love them. Thank you for your work.
Chuckled on Linusian Blanket - thanks Chuck.
I was waiting for this - let's go 💥
LOVE IT
Apart from Ren being FANTASTIC, may I also give a shout out to the Music/vocal and instrument teachers out there who are often under appreciated.❤💯👍
Brilliant reaction, RIP Terry Hall ❤
thank you....speak the truth my brother..
"not worrying about the corporates, you're worrying about the listeners" cfny 102.1 The Spirit of Radio out of Toronto, back in the 80's. look it up. there are documentaries and articles about the station. Rush, out of respect and admiration, wrote the song 'The Spirit of Radio' about the radio station that didn't play Rush (read the lyrics). Unfortunately, radio is withering and has been for decades. With the apps that can allow you to stream any station anywhere in the world, as you say, this is the time. Ren is the one. Lean into it and things will change. The music fans that don't just use music as background noise are passionate and in some cases, rabid and protective. We'll also tell anyone that will listen (and those that won't) about an artist we have discovered and love. We will do the same about a radio station that is also that passionate. this will allow the performers to flourish, grow and make more amazing music for us. Let the floaters have their mundane pop and country. WE will have true music.
"Linusian blanket"? That's a new one on me. ••• Thanks! PEACE!!!
Ren proved his point with this song. When he brought out Suicide it had advisory on it because of the title yet Murderer not one caution which shows how the moral compasses point toward certain cultural issues where drugs sex violence and gang culture are more important than helping those with mental health issues. I love how Ren is helping people with his music and I stand by him 100%
Great reaction. Great points.👍💕🦇
Only just found u had to sub, your one of the best reactors I've seen with knowledge of the music business
Great reaction
I like the way you think and explain your thoughts. Ren looks great!! much love, kathleen---oh, yeah, video is fire. Ofcourse!!!!! edit: MC5 ?!? my old hippie (from michigan) heart almost stopped. Thanks for the flashback, man. sometimes they're fun! at 71, i take my grins where i can get them. peace.
"IT'S TIME TO MOVE!! IT'S TIME TO TESTIFY!! I GIVE YOU...THE MC5!!"
I have used that audio as part of radio intros for my entire career. Drop the band name, and it's perfect for a Rock Radio DJ show intro. And that's what I do.
Cheers,
Eric
5:43 - Really well said. Subscribed right here.
I would love to see you do an interview with Ren.
Like it dig it like it dig it
Great reaction! I love your perspective. Subscribing.
freedom! i hope he keeps it up
Love your review!!!❤
Fantastic review - bang on the fucking money!
The fact you said at 7:00 cameback in an another of Ren with the sample of The Velve. Like your "view" of this song.
Well said!
I love it too, and your reaction❤
This reaction made me subscribe....thanx
It is interesting to see your perspective on the "well planned" older Ren's music videos and songs. I would suggest to check Ren - Penitence Ft. Molly McKinna.
And thank you for the analysis of this track.
Thanks for the awesome analysis. Is it time for a revisit to the days of UK Radio Caroline in 1964 when Ronan Rahilly went onto a boat to broadcast from the ocean to circumvent the industry restrictions.
Other Ren offerings have been mentioned in the same sentence as Bohemian Rhapsody (Which was similarly polarizing) and we know how that ended.....
I loved this reaction for your experienced and intelligent commentary. I think @renmakesmusic would also appreciate it. Hope he gets a chance to ❤. I agree, this is definitely one for the radio, although it might have started already...apparently BBC Radio 1 played one of his songs recently and beeped out the swear words. Personally, I would love it if Ren could make a clean alternative to every song he makes so I can show them to my 10 year old bc at the moment she just hears me singing 'murderer ra tat tat ta' around the house like a psycho! 😅 With regards to the title Ren mentioned once how ironic it was that UA-cam was blocking his song Suic!de bc of the title but not Murderer which he found ridiculous and I believe is making a point if it.
Well Said!
❤I think Ren would really appreciate what you had to say! Thank you for supporting him….he’s beyond exceptional!
Barrington levi called murderer is part of the hook