HI REN - REN first REACTION 

I love how you caption your thoughts instead of pausing

I discovered this about 6 days ago. I've lost count of how many times I've listened directly, and how many reactors I've listened to. The first couple of days were pure obsession. He is a master storyteller, and I guess I needed to deconstruct that to understand (formally) how it worked.... but I didn't know in the beginning that that is what I was doing. I just knew I needed to hear it again. I believe - without hesitation - that, age 70, this is the single most important piece of performance art I've seen in my lifetime. Maybe eliminate the word performance. The searing impact reminds me of what it must have been to see Guernica in the beginning, while the war was raging and getting larger and larger. But Ren doesn't leave us in hell the way Picasso did: he moves to an authentic resolution, complete with catharsis and then time (during the spoken part) for our hearts to stop racing before he leaves us. And he leaves hope behind, which is the greatest healing force there is. Magnificent. This man is changing lives right now. Ren reminds us of the power of art to transform. I am awed by his talent, his command of his craft(s) and his courage.

Sabina, I hope you're going to continue this Ren journey. Thankfully it's a choose your own adventure: - Want more of Ren's incredible singing voice? Check out his collaborations with Chinchilla. Either "Chalk Outlines" or "How to be me" - Want more of the live, acoustic bard like storytelling? You want "The Tale of Jenny and Screech (full)" - Want more rapping and wordplay? Go for "The Hunger" - Want to see him busking on the street with his (former?) band? Check out "The Big Push - I Shot the Sherrif/Road to Zion/Hiphop"

Hi, Sabina! Years ago Ren was bitten by a tick and contracted Lyme's disease. He suffered through several years of misdiagnosis which allowed the bacteria, and autoimmune reaction, to spread throughout his body, including his brain. He had some stem cell treatment in the US which helped some and is now in Canada undergoing other treatment, but a lot of probably irreparable damage has already been done. I've donated to his crowdfund. His treatments are not cheap. Lyme's disease is fairly rare and misdiagnosis is frequent. Kris Kristofferson was bitten in 2002 and was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's until 2017!

Thank you for that reaction...Ren is a genius...check out THE TALE OF JENNY AND SCREECH...it will blow your mind !

Most people miss this, but this is a live performance. You can see the mic under his gown and the guitar is plugged in. He also made the video without any support from any music companies and just got a friend to film him. This was his fourth take.

I'm 50 yrs old and never been a big fan of rap/hip hop. But rap/hip hop is just one of many tools in Ren's garage. He's a modern day bard; musician, actor, and philosopher.

Ren became seriously ill in 2010 (at the age of 19/20) but his condition was misdiagnosed for 6 or 7 years, and the meds he was given just made him worse. He was often stuck in bed for up to 23 hours a day and he became resigned to dying before he was 30. In 2016 he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme Disease and he received stem cell transplants which improved his health. However, the years of incorrect treatments have left Ren with a badly damaged immune system and some brain damage. He is currently receiving specialist treatment in Canada which is likely to last at least 6 months

To add something I didn't know when I first saw this. With his diagnosis he was in bed, he couldn't stand, get up I mean, walk and anything, he wasn't able to play the guitar neither. He actually was on a band and had to leave it because he was getting worse until he was postrated in bed. That is why he enters the scene in a wheel chair in the video. Once I knew this and I watch the video again, the moment he stands up and says "standing here on my own two feet" I just lost it, it broke me. So proud of this man, he went through so much, still he didn't give up, and even used it to inspire and help others!

I'm so glad you have discovered Ren; don't know the reason, but you look especially beautiful today.✨💖🙏🏻🇺🇸🇬🇧🌹🌺🌸💐

Oh yes, a reactor who will not interrupt! Liked and subscribed.

Best 9 minute therapy session ever..

Probably heard Hi Ren about 250 times now watching reactors. He is so talented and his rabbit hole and more with collaborations or his Band The Big Push from Brighton doesn't disappoint with any songs

Ren songs you'll certainly love too : - Chalk Outlines. - Money Game. - The Tale of Jenny and Screetch (Full version).

Hi, I used to watch you doing Dimash reactions. I didn't think I would ever find someone that grabbed my attention like Dimash did. However Ren is always so different and just a wonder to watch and listen too ... I finally found someone that is Dimash's equal , ( or more) not in his voice or vocal range , but Ren's videos are just off the chart in diverse music and creativity . I'm sure you'll be getting a lot of comments on suggestions what to watch next. Ren watches many of the reactors and is extremely thankful to them for helping to get his music out there. He makes sure that people don't get strikes on his videos and if they do just write to him and he'll take care of it. He is truly a humble , one of a kind, gift for the world. It will enhance your life to learn more about him and react to his videos. If I were a reactor I'd also react to his interviews and some twitch streams. He's been through A LOT and the fans that stand behind him are incredible. You will understand more if you keep on the Ren roller coaster. Right now he's in Canada in treatment and it will tug at your heart strings on what he's been through . He's an inspiration to millions .

I saw a tear in your eye. Very very genuine reaction. Thank you. REN IS CHANGING THE WORLD!

This was all filmed in one take, though it took a few attempts. After the rapping he started to sing and the pause after the singing when had a strained face made so much more sense to made after knowing it was filmed in one take. He really seemed to be feeling it. I also think that the audio from this recording is what went to the music streaming services as I can not determine any differences in either pauses or words etc.

I already knew this masterful work of art. I've listened to the official version and reactors versions at least 30 times over the last 2 days. Your reaction stands apart (and above) others. Your wordless expressions (combined with your typed comments) allowed us (me) to get your reaction without interrupting his work. Amazing. Clearly you get the profound impact. Clearly your capacity for empathy is enormous. This reaction was superb. I have previously watched a few of your reactions to a cappella groups, but this was different. There is no way I could NOT subscribe. My mouse almost did it without me. Too bad I can only give you one 'like.' You deserve around 50 for this. Thank you.

This is art of transcendent beauty and an *important* song. Artists often struggle with imposter syndrome. There’s a movie starring Olivia Munn called “Violet” that rings of this and was a transformative experience for me… just as this song also resonates. As a person who’s never been able to escape imposter syndrome and negative self-talk, *realizing* that I can exert the strength that destructive voice questions-strength that I *know* I have-was sooo important. It takes time to push past the negativity-to make your own voice stronger, but if anyone out there is struggling with this, please please please *know* that you can do it. *Know* that I believe in you… but you don’t need me to-just like you don’t need the shroud of doubt that feels first of protection and then as a prison. You are *stronger* than that voice. You are stronger than you can *possibly* know… until you push back with softness or aggression-your choice.

1 man and a guitar. The fact you're kept engaged for 10 minutes and want to see the spoken words is so very strange in a planet where adhd is so prevalent is remarkable

Recorded live and all in one take, amazing!

Loved your reaction! And I have seen hundreds of reactions to this. 57 year-old man and "Hi Ren" has changed my life. No lie.

Samuel Perry-Falvey filmed this and Ren's friend. Its up for four awards in the Prague Video awards this year. Loved your reaction 🙏🙏🙏

I’m so glad your finally getting to Ren

Loved watching you react to this video.

I love this style of reaction, with text format so we don't interrupt the flow of the song with pauses. I really really appreciate that in your video. Thanks for your reaction!

This young man saved my life. Thanks, Sabina, for your reaction. You got my sub.

Omg finally! I was wondering when you were gonna discover Ren.

Definitely should do the jenny&screech trilogy. This one is fantastic but that story gets me everytime, especially the last part

Finally getting into Ren. definitely a rabbit hole that's worthy of a dive. He is very amazing. ❤

Beautiful reaction thank you for your thoughts

About the first 50 times I’ve watched reactors react to this masterpiece I would get emotional but eventually it stopped and I just enjoyed watching reactors become Ren fans. I’ve watched at least 150 reactions to this now and your reaction got me teary-eyed again.

Thanks!

Me fifteen silent minutes after my first viewing ended: "well, that happened". Great reaction. Great comment. Loved your use of captions. So much smarter than constantly pausing, all reactors should follow your example.

Thank you for your understanding reaction, it's rare to have someone immediately grasp the sheer scope of Ren's talents, and you included his video making team as well, even better

This dude is a poet a genius and like you said brave. This song will be a fav in the realm like "Free Bird is with Lynyrd Skynyrd"

All that you say makes perfect sense and resonates with my experience of seeing Hi Ren for the first time. I've now seen it many, many times and consistently come to the same conclusion. This is art. Actual potent and valid art. Presenting the truth of human experience through the lens of honest personal experience. One love.

Look, I am 50... been through some tough times lately, but this work of art has hit me like 2 ton heavy thing. It has helped me put this crazy word in a perspective I would not have otherwise. It's truly a breakthrough in opening up the conversations that would not have been acceptable before it.

Hope you do more Ren. Regardless of what song you choose, it will be grade A stuff

Yes yes yes Sabina, you arrived to Ren, i know you were going to be amazed, and so related to what you do. There's a huge catalogue with ren"s music. For singing, go for chalkout lines, for rapping, the hunger illest of our times or sick boi, and for storytelling the trillogy of Jenny screech and violet. All three together.

Every time I hear this it brings a tear to my eyes because it so reminds me of me it took me 40 years to control my demons and voices I just wish I had his courage back then👏👏 he truly is remarkable and a very talented young man 👍big respect to him for bearing all his struggles to the world but he will help many👏👏

Great reaction thanks. Everything about this masterpiece is outstanding, even the lighting casting two shadows…mind blown! This needs to be part of every high school curriculum.

Great reaction. Now take the journey. Sick boi, x Chinchilla- Chalk outlines. LIVE, x Chinchilla- How to be me. LIVE The Tale of Jenny and Screech Full version The Big Push(Ren's band) I shot the sheriff, Road to zion, hip-hop mash up. Hunger and whatever direction from here. You can go any direction you want but just my 2 cents

Sabina I have been patiently waiting for you to discover Ren and for you to venture down his rabbit hole. Wonderful reaction it was definitely worth the wait my friend you are right his music is definitely captivating. He is certainly a talent to be able to put the subject matter in his mind to music and lyrics like he does. Not to forget the fact he is quite a talented musician. It has encouraged me to take music up again myself.

Welcome to the world of Ren

I'm gobsmacked...After watching this 1000 times, I've only just realised, the lyrics from beginning to end...rhyme ? Holy sh!#.

I think one of my favorite overlooked lines is "not your place to bite off the hand that feeds me". Like it's so aggressive and condescending, but there's an acknowledgement that you are still the one that feeds it. You give it energy. You give it power.

Love this reaction! I’ve not seen someone do it like this before.

Thank you for reacting to Ren, Sabina. Please keep going. Ren has so many layers and depth to his music. You will enjoy the rabbit hole. Cheers

Art Will ART!! Peace/JT

I've been making the HI REN round of reactions. Which is something I've never done. Heck, I've never really watched reaction videos, and I rarely comment. In 37 years, I've never seen anything like it. And watching other people, sharing in the experience, I feel connected to my fellow human being like never before. Thanks for sharing! This is my favorite style of reaction video - raw. Cheers!

welcome to the Ren train you wont be disappointed ❤

Ouch. The lyrics get me right in the feels.😮

Great reaction. Welcome to the Ren rabbit hole. It's deep, incredibly varied and all brilliant. Look forward to you doing more from him.

This is one of the best reactions to this song I've heard an seen. Keep being awesome!

I have been waiting for you to do this reaction. Please go down the Ren rabbit hole.

This song is a emotional roller coaster words fail how this song and video hits

Watching you react was one of the most real reactions I've seen and I greatly appreciated just watching your facial expressions during different parts of Ren's work of art.

I'm jealous, you have so much to discover from Ren. So many different styles, lyrics, covers....and all is just between damn god and f***ing awesome.

Music. Art. Whoever was wondering what Nietzsche meant with "Übermensch" should listen to this song. Ty Sabina.

It's an incredible work of art. Please continue with Ren.

So glad you got to this! That last prologue...at 17 I was locked up in a nuthouse, and I am the most calm normal person you could possibly meet...so that last part really hits with me. :/ Ren makes me feel human, we aren't bad people... just struggling. Much love to you champion, fantastic reaction. X

You need to explore his other music, he's got a huge range, so creative.

Great reaction! Probably watched this video, hi ren 100 times. Still gets me. So powerful

Ren is an amazing artist. I recommend tale of Jenny and screech (full). Amazing trilogy of songs. Or Chalk outlines (live). This is a duet and shows his singing voice so well. The line in this "she sells sea shells by the seashore" is a refrence to his other song. "money game pt 2"

This is simply amazing. I know you already saw.

Ok, I’m a bit weird…. I LOVE watching reaction videos to songs I like, cause it’s like experiencing the song with someone else. So all I do is stare at the persons eyes, forehead and mouth, and I can see all I need about what their feeling. I can’t stand reaction people who stop every 15 seconds and ones that read CC’s! I’ve watched, Hi Ren easily over 100 times in the last month with reactors. And yours is THE BEST!! No CC’s and no pausing! I can watch your face and see your thoughts written. And I can tell you was actually listening with an open heart! LOVED THIS REACTION the most of all Hi Ren Reactions!!

The was a wonderful reaction - thank you, and thank you Ren.

Well put Sabina and a champion reaction, Ren is very special indeed.

Sabina, it can't be easy to watch this for the first time and give an instant reaction that makes any kind of sense due to the emotional whirlwind it creates, but you have definitely done one of the best I've seen. Very eloquent and emotionally intelligent. Looking forward to more!

I love your reaction to this awesome work of art by Ren. Looking forward to more of your reactions to Rens work.

I must have watched 100+ reactions to this song over the past couple months and have cried every single time! This time no exception. Love your uncut style of reacting to videos. ❤

Listening to a lot of his catalog from his channel, what's crazy is just how different every single song is and just how they all are so damn good. I mean,... people do think he's an alien. Rap artist, singer, poet, street performer, bard, producer, beat maker, ... etc. The man just does.. everything. His collaborations are amazing as well. Great reaction, love the expressions and the feeling you clearly have. Enjoy the journey if you decide to keep going. I'm here for it if you do.

What a lovely reaction. Thank you. 😊

Ren and his music could make a great TED Talk. Very inspirational, very powerful, very raw. Chronic pain can bring out the deepest and darkest parts of you if you let it. So many of his songs focus on his struggle and it has touched millions who feel the same. Songs like “Diazapam”, “Depression” , “Penitence”, “Insomnia” and “Chalk Outlines” are gut punchers and worth listening to multiple times. Then he has the uplifting songs that tell how he used all that to turn it around. “Genesis” “Humble” “Life is Funny” “Power” “Ocean” “Hold On” “Meaning” and “Patience” (“Patience” was used in a documentary movie about chronic fatigue called “Unrest” and he has a few brief appearances in the movie.)

"Truth in a blender, deceitful pretender....." ---- thank you for posting this important piece and thanks to @Sammy D for the Ren bio ( comment below ).........Ren is still in treatment and has a GoFundMe account to help pay medical bills......the pig is a butcher, which I believe is Ren's take on some doctors and therapists.....the discordant guitar and vocals represent his inner chaos, as do the blinking lights.......

Chalk Outlines with Chinchilla, How to be Me with Chinchilla, I shot the Sherrif with the Big Push, The Tale of Jenny & Screech, and Ocean, in that order :) Ren is currently in Canada, getting the treatment he needs to undo some of the damage his misdiagnosis caused. THIS song has opened up years of music he has made and is still making and people all over the world have fallen in love with his music, his personality and his story. Also, all the above, apart from Ocean are shot live, in one take for the most part. Oh and I second Money Game, most people seem to connect more with Money Game 2, however, I do suggest watching both, at the same time.

I liked the way you did this. I understand why reactors pause so often, but there's always a danger that it gets paused at a really significant moment and the depth of meaning is lost. Having that onscreen written commentary really worked for me. There's TONS of Ren to dip into. Please have a look at The Tale of Jenny & Screech, which confusingly, is actually a trilogy which ends with Violet's Tale. In places it's brutal, there are violent, nasty moments, but it is amazingly hard hitting and the ending with leave you numb! After that there's the more mainstream stuff, collaborating with his band The Big Push, busking on the streets of songs with Chinchilla or Sam Tompkins. This is potentially a lengthy journey, make sure you're strapped in tight!

Watched this so many times so many diff reactions and j cry every time!

Finally, I have been waiting for this one!

Love your reaction to this! It was Hi Ren for me as well when I discovered him and I just had to go back over and over again and watch all the reaction videos to this. The latest one „Suicide“ hit me the most tho, so be prepared when you react to it. But obviously there‘s more to explore from him, so I‘m just waiting here for you to enjoy it all and send us your reactions 😅

This was very well done. I really like your reaction style. I got to see you experience the video, music AND message. Plus see your thoughts along the way. The front and color was nice. But, I have bad eyes. So, I had to pause it a few times in order to see it. Lol I wanted to get that out of the way. Because, I could seriously go on for DAYS about this amazing young man. About very many things. This masterpiece, is something special. For most of the world, it was their introduction to Ren. It is but a minute fraction. Of who HE is and his seemingly endless talent. He is a very REAL young man. Who has and IS going through unimaginable things. Like he said, he has been I'll for half of his life. Suffering from misdiagnosed Lyme disease for a VERY long time. It ravaged his body as well as his brain. He is currently undergoing medical treatment in Canada. He puts out videos on Instagram about his progress. He has a MASSIVE amount of music. From his first Indi band Trick The Fox. His busking band, The Big Push. And his solo work. He seriously thought he was going to die before 30. He had SO much music inside. As well as pain, anger, fear and HOPE. So, he put out as much as humanly possible. Look, I had better stop. Or this could be a really LONG comment. I highly encourage you to go to his page and read his words for yourself. He is far more eloquent than I am. His music is an experience that I truly believe, EVERYONE needs in their life. So, thank you for this wonderful reaction to this EPIC song/video. I of course subbed and will be here for your next step down this wondrous path.

Well, it wasn't merely hype. A true masterpiece. Really enjoyed the reaction as usual. I love new rabbit holes.

Great reaction, love it, you were really immersed in this one! You gotta make another reaction to this song..its gotta be The Tale of Jenny and Screech (full version) , dont do seperate, because its a trilogy..if you really like his poetic lyrics, you really gotta listen to Jenny and Screech, you can see his ability, to paint suffer and pain in a beautiful way, and he can really paint an intense image of suffering.. he’s like a bard you know? from medieval time, really, he’s an exceptional story teller like you never heard before!!!

Great reaction Sabina. Looking forward to Chalk Outlines and Sick Boi!

Beautiful and moving reaction. Your silent reaction was so clear on your face. Really captivating. I welled up with you and I have watched nearly 120 reactions to this song over the past couple weeks. I really look forward to your reactions to Chalk Outlines and How to be me.

The genius and beauty of Ren's performance is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to know what to expect. It's a visceral, mind-boggling punch right in the head, heart, and soul 🤯 💔 ending with a powerful, resonating, and enduring message of inspiration and hope ❤️‍🔥 🙏 ❤️‍🩹 An authentic, honest, and intense artistic masterpiece ❤️

Masterpiece. I love the way you present your reactions with the typed analysis and thoughts, it is so different but great as we get the best of both world, no interruptions during and able to know your thoughts, perfect.

I've seen a few other of his songs. His storytelling skills are top notch, but his subject matters can go darker than this, which is pretty autobiographical.

You said you are curious how we felt when we first heard this song. Well, I am jealous that I could only hear it for the first time just once. And I say again, you do reactions right with not interrupting the song! LOVE this!

Ren is once of a lifetime! I hope you will do some moore of his work. He is so great..and so is your reactionvideo. Thank you.❤️

Nice reaction. Love Ren!

I find that this song makes me connect to my soul in a world of corrupt systems this is so pure love and light to all

This is still so powerful even having watched it so many times. Thanks for the reaction Sabina as always. I look forward to you diving down the rabbit hole that is Ren's music. He defies genre but always delivers incredible deep and meaningful lyrics and the ability to grab us by the emotions and making us feel and connect

So glad you finally did this reaction. I've really wanted to hear your take on it. Ren is an amazing artist, and his songs are indeed ART. His lyrics are so profound and there are so many different facets to his music and performance. I hope you react to more of his music. you won't regret it.

First time seeing you react. Love your approach!

i Love the way he set up his light so it looks like he is talking to a shadow on both sides of him

i think this is the best style of reactions iv seen, i actually listen and am interested in your thoughts , unlike other reactors who pause the video i immediately skip their comments and forward to the reaction. So Yeah

And with that, you've fallen down the Ren rabbit hole

love your reaction, I have watched most, yours made me want to cry again.....