I laughed so hard when you said "I love when Ren sings, he could be a singer..."... my dudes, HE IS A SINGER. You just havent been watching his songs where he ACTUALLY SINGS. You have only been watching his more theatrical pieces. This is why people have recommended different genres of his for you guys to check out, so check these out: Chalk outlines - one of his best songs. You should definitely not skip that one. I Shot the Sheriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop - also with his band The Big Push - this is maybe my favorite one where you see his singing style - its MAGIC - DONT MISS IT Wade in the water - listen to him sing this with his band The Big Push - he sings with so much passion and lives in the music with his whole body Fred Again Mash Up - also one where his uniquely passionate style of singing really comes through
remember the chorus "it's easy to blame, but turn that mirror on ourselves - we're all part of this money game" The entire video shows him blaming the hooded guy, until he realizes he's equally to blame.
Money Game 1: The concept MG 2: The larger picture (macro) MG 3: The personal picture (micro) Ren is unbelievably jacked. He has to stay in shape due to his illness. He has posted pictures on Instagram of him working out, and he's unbelievably sculpted.
my interpretation of the video: The guy in the chair (his bandmate Romain) represents the money game and those in power which he is trying to fight. He even draws eyes on the mask, trying to make them see. When he grabs the gasoline he it's a representation of wanting to burn the whole system down. But as he says in the chorus of the song, we're all part of the money game, so we have to start looking towards ourselves and not just blame the big guys. Which is why he sets himself on fire.
Videographer is his long time friend Samuel Perry-Falvey, same as MG3. AND the Trilogy. This was their 1st one take ,183 takes over several days. The guitarist is friend and roomate for 6 years, the lead guitarist from the Big Push Romain Axisa.
Yes! 186 takes over 19 hours in a Brighton Pier storage space that was so cold that Romain (the guitar player) had to keep warming his fingers so he could keep playing. This is dedication to your art.
Ren has lots of styles. Check out these rap hits (with incredible rhymes and double time): HUNGER - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1T_fLytBFM4.html GENESIS - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YzsTdLIcbzU.html LOSING IT - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mLvAGjhDssc.html ILLEST OF OUR TIME - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tB-JGSdBerE.html SEVEN SINS - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v16IGHPKQ8Y.htmlfeature=shared WICKED WAYS - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B81BZJPKjlI.htmlfeature=shared ANIMAL FLOW - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F4mUnmFbVNg.html Ren was with a group called The Big Push. I Shot the Sheriff / Road to Zion / Hip Hop - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uSeCuR51rek.html Also, Ren & Sam with Earned It / Man’s World / Falling - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-d8nBzrhd8Ro.html He also does live duet ballads (one take) with Chinchilla CHALK OUTLINES - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-35yALr_opeg.html And HOW TO BE ME (LIVE) - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SDR7sup3DsU.html Obviously, there are more on his channel - www.youtube.com/@RenMakesMusic/videos And on The Big Push channel - www.youtube.com/@TheBigPushBand/videos And trickthefox channel (his earliest stuff) - www.youtube.com/@trickthefox/videos And there are many, many more but this is a start.
Ren drew the eyes on as a way of humanizing the hostage. He's slowly realizing that he is just as guilty as anyone else. We are all playing the money game. There's no escape without a mass changing of minds. Just fyi, in Money Game 3, you never hear the trigger, you hear an electric switch. Money Game 2 is a lyric video. It's the official video Ren meant to be part 2 of the series. The live version isn't even the whole song.
Guitarist is a friend of Ren's (named Romaine?) and is actually playing live. The whole video is a one-take live; Ren is wearing a lapel mic and the cameraman has a mic on the camera itself. Ren's lapel mic records directly to an iphone I believe Now of course, Ren stated that they practiced the piece over 150 times to get to the version they wanted. There is a great deal of seemingly simple choreography but Ren wanted it to his liking.
Not practiced, filmed. It took them 186 tries and 6 days to get this right, although that is deceptive because Ren kept expanding and altering the song when he wasn't getting what he wanted. After this video Ren says he made sure every element of a song he is filming is complete and repeatedly rehearsed so they can do what Ren prefers, which is film his videos 15-20 times and choose the take he likes best.
There isn't a wrong answer when reacting to Ren. That's the beauty of art. It's why his music is important in today's world. It allows for conversations from people of all walks of life. I enjoy this piece because the lyrics speak on how money has been at the heart of some the most atrocious behavior from humans from the time it was created. Great insight from both of you.
You guys need to check out Animal Flow to see if you can catch the movie and literary references that are visually represented in that 1 shot video.... Also, Illest Of Our Time. If you do Money Game 2 you should do the lyric video cuz the live version is missing over a minute of the lyrics of the song and the live video is more like a promo for MG2.
Here's my take; along with factual statements made by Ren & others, on the messaging & performative aspects of Money Game Parts 1,2 & 3. Hope this helps. Part 1: & 3 are in a similar format to Ren's Tale of Jenny & Screen & Hi Ren, which can be considered live performance pieces that are shot in 1 take. Ren has commented that this was his first attempt at this style of one take video production & it took them over 160 takes to get this shot right; being it was their 1st time, especially with all the choreography & music involved. In essence, Ren is introducing everyone to all the hypocrisy in the west & the seeds that have been sown around the world that created this money game & how we all live blind to it daily, with a metaphorical money bag tied around our heads💰🤑. Ren portrays the character of Judge, jury & executioner for those who are blinded by the money game & the corruption that steams from the greed of all involved in it. He even draws eyes on the bagman 👀 to help him see his own errors & that of society's. When Ren attempts to carry out the final death sentence, the bagman's eyes reflect back to Ren his own complacency in the MG, "hook" (Hold the mirror to ourselves, we're all part of this old money game). The ending carries a double meaning, 1) like a Buddhist Monk, Ren burns himself in effigy as protest & 2) This act of burning represents how we are all, "as a society", just dooming ourselves in the end. Like Ren's lyrics convey (As the world turns, the whole world burns). Part 2: Is a studio recording with Ren & his videographer Samuel Perry-Falvey creating an artistic LYRIC VIDEO. ((Attention: Do NOT react to the live a-capella version, it's a incomplete version that was initially posted on IG when he was still working on it)). The Lyric video was created to assist in the messaging/storytelling. Pt.2 shows the money game through the narrower lens of corporate greed & government corruption & its effects on our present day society. I won't get to descriptive here, but it's much less abstract in its presentation & easier to absorb & decipher as an audience member. It's initially a "How to" video in concurring the dirty MG. Part 3: Is Ren's magnum opus, once again returning to his one shot live performance format with Samuel Perry-Falvey behind the lens, but this time on a grander scale then anything they've attempted to date. Ren has even stated that this video in scale & technicality was his most ambitious project yet. Ren wraps up this trilogy telling us the life story of a single fictional character named "Jimmy" who was raised from birth in the money game mentality & therefore tightening the focus even more on the MG. Instead of just singing the hook "Point the mirror at ourselves, we're all part of this old money game" he chooses to bring the mirror to life & show us through the life of Jimmy's & everyone around him who have their own money bags tied around there heads, exactly where the pursuit of the MG leads. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber shared Money Game 3 on his Instagram and said Ren is one of the best storytellers he has seen in a very long time. Film maker Jonathan Hiller was blown away by the story, as well as the cinematography & choreography Ren & Sam created. By the end of the video Jonathan say's "This is the genius of Ren, by the end of the video his art transcends into a spiritual realm. Ren's use of negative space is captivating making MG3 utterly transformative". Cheers Boys, 🍻👍
You have no idea yet...He's a very rare breed genre bender in that dude is SOOOOO good in so many different genres, it just ain't fair....This is coming from a life long multi-instrumentalist musician. lol. You just wait. I'm excited for you!!
You guys can start the Money Game series wherever you like. For those of us who listened to the first two a bunch of times just loved finding the Easter Eggs in part 3
LOL you think you know what to expect... My friends Ren will continue to surprise on every song he does! No Biggie on not doing these in order this Renegade does not care🖤I recommend Animal Flow, Murderer, Seven Sins plus you need to look into his earlier band The Big Push. Not sure if you know Ren creates his own beats and beatboxes as well....
The guy who films most of Ren's videos is a childhood friend called Samuel Perry -Falvey, they met at a rainbow camp type of thing. He and Ren normally share the directing of the videos and they are Ren's concepts. You will see how much the video have progressed when you see MG3
Except maybe the crosswalk countdown in "Halftime retake" and, I've wondered, the limo appearance in "Troubles." 😉 Those 2 things seemed like chance, but you're right that Ren is obsessively detail-oriented.
Money game doesn’t have a single narrative, just a shared theme, so it’s ok to watch it out of order. This one is a live one take, with live audio. The guitarist is his old roommate, and bandmate from The Big Push, Romaine. I forget the exact number but it was like 150 takes to get this one. Filmed all night. While trespassing.
another great reaction guys, really. the way you read into his lyrics and the whole video is refereshing tbh. maybe not spot on but your interpretation isnt far off. oh and there isnt a video as such for part 2. there is a LYRIC video which is the one you should watch. big respect to you both.
Ren does a lot of "gonzo videos" where he breaks in to a building with novideos or in public. MG3 was one of his first traditional videoes. If you want to see a young Ren make a video for 500 pounds check out Crutch. If you want to see him sing try Back On 74 retake. If you want to see him stretch his rap muscles try Losing It.
''I love when Ren sings'' Relatable. Many opportunities to explore your preferences ;) In my humble opinion, anything Big Push or collabs highlights this talent. Covers Fred again and Back on 74 will also give you this vibe, enjoy !
You guys are good. Ren has stated that he loves hearing different interpretations of his work, and given that, I don't think there's any one answer to the message. Insofar as Money Game 2, there's a short live version where he does it a capella on the beach. It's short because he wrote more and recorded it and released a lyric video. The lyric video is the full song, but I think the live is well worth watching because you get to see the man at work. If I could have it my way, I'd like reactors to watch the live and then the lyric in one reaction.
"Ren could be a singer" lol. You have no idea! :) How many songs in are you? 3? 4? Ren writes and performs in EVERY genre and is an incredible singer, rapper, beatboxer, producer, sound engineer, multi-multi-multi instrumentalist, director, poet and songwriter. Usually by the 4th or 5th song, people have stopped trying to put him in a box. What genre is Ren? Yes! :) Medieval, classical, instrumental, rap, hip-hop, soul, rock, reggae, ska, punk, folk, edm, electronica, pop, folk, country, jazz, blues... He does it all and does it all brilliantly. Vocally he's incredible, capable of many different voices styles and tones. He has a great vocal range, power and immaculate control, coupled with the most beautiful, delicate vocal touches and subtle nuances! You'll soon see. :) As for rapping, he raps like a rap god. He plays about a dozen instruments well. Half of them RIDICULOUSLY well! All self-taught. I could write an essay on Ren's seemingly endless list of incredible talents but hopefully you get the picture. :)
I'm late to this one. Great deep dive. Appreciate your reaction. Dropping a note to say that your song preview today was probably my favorite so far! 💜
I've always taken it as it's him in the chair. Both the song, and his actions in the beginning when he's face to face, allude to a mirror. And when he tells him to stop, he seems surprised that it actually worked, and with his newfound power, he smugly slaps him with the gloves. He spends the whole video complaining and trying to get Sack-Man (his official name btw) to see the world for what it is. But it's not until he gives him eyes that he can finally see himself. Defeated (seriously, look at Ren here), with his new realization, he stops what he was doing, and does it to himself instead. But rewind real quick to when he adds the eyes, notice that muffle/mumble never really goes away, notice the focus is now on Sack-Man, notice that you can't see Ren sing it, and it almost looks like it's Sack-man doing the singing, in fact, Ren goes off screen entirely. Someone else also pointed out the part of the chorus 'Rain, Rain, Rain' is probably significant with how he takes off the rain protection once he's discovered that he's been a part all along. Once MG3 came out, I felt that only reinforced my take that it was him behind the mask.
This is a one-shot. Sam the videographer said “again like with money game we ended up doing like 186 takes to get that right oh my God” in an interview along with Ren and Black Pegasus (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eWf7bT_jf6U.htmlfeature=shared&t=5483) 1 hour 31 minutes in
Animal Flow video soon to see more clockwork orange and other movie and literary references. Then watch the live version to completely blow your mind! Cheers, great reaction. #freesickboi
If you guys want to know more of ren's rap skills you should listen to the hunger, illest of our time and losing it fischer retake. If you want to know what he's been through listeners troubles
Great reaction, the pause part to mr reminds me of covid, the power tells us to stop and what happened? We stopped then carried on with a smack in the face at the price of things, looking forward to part 2, thank you 🙏🦉❤️🐊👍
BIG FOREHEAD - you will love Animal Flow!!! Kubrick is one of Ren's faves - hope your book knowledge is as good as your film knowledge too. It explains a bit of the Pigs you see in many of his vids! 😊
For part 2, I'd suggest doing both versions. The lyric video gives you the full song but whoever made the video forgot to spellcheck, so that can be a little distracting. The acoustic version is a wonderful live performance! It's shorter but the poetry shines and his vocals are exquisite! :)
Didn't need to see up your shorts to know the size of yer coconuts, putting your own track up against an actual one-take live performance of this calibre! Good for you! 😂 Seriously though, nice work guys, earned yourselves a like and a sub, on the first time I ever saw you!
For me this video is about Ren. He confronts/kidnaps/tourtures the person who he thinks is responsible for the Money Game we all have to play. He is fighting against the system, but as he starts to open his eyes and sees the faceless other as a person he realizes that he is part of the Money Game with no way to escape it except death.
I think he draws the eyes to make the hostage see - perhaps see that he's a captive of the money game. The result, however, is that it humanized the "other." No longer faceless, it forced the narrator to take his own advice and look in the mirror. Knowing the MG is inescapable, he self-immolates in protest. (Humanity has a crazy, interesting history of lighting themselves on fire for various reasons. Research; it's mind-boggling.) I don't think it's a cliffie, just an ending open to interpretation - as is MG3. The end could be a check-out, but what you hear is perhaps a dry fire or misfire of some kind. The trigger releases, but you don't hear the explosion. To me, that's not exactly a cliffie either, but an ending that leaves you wondering. Great reaction!
I believe the song is about the state that we are in now , the decline of our (the western) culture. Capitalism is burning its self down. The hooded man (Romain) is the faceless masses & Ren is opening his eyes to this with this song.
Money game is a story from 3 perspectives. MG1 shows a person who is waking up to tbe game and cannot handle where it takes him. The people with the bags on their heads are the drones. The sheep who are asleep to it. MG2 shows how the system creates the situations that allow greed to deztroy and how people allow it. MG3 is from the perspective of a 1%'er who as we learn, enough is never enough, fighting his way to the top only to lose himself and end up with nothing because they destroyed everything. Capitalism, exists in every political system even socialism and communism. But Americas version of hyper capitalism has not only destabilized America but it has had a negative effect on the rest of the world also and many people live in a blind, false belief system of what they tgink our system is. Ren is opening eyes.
How ironic, a rapper four _Ren_ reactions in, and still hasn't reacted to one of his fully produced tracks, rapping/singing with beats and other instruments...
Many of us don't see we are all hostages held by the masters of the money game... we even develop Stockholm syndrome - idolizing those who exploit us, willing to vote for their tax cuts, donating to them, wanting to become an exploiter ourselves instead of changing the system.
I suspect at the end of Money Game 3 that Ren was not able to use a gunshot noise and instead had to use the gun-click noise. Probably this is an issue to get the video past the RU-vid parental control filter. I bet if you show a depiction of suicide with an actaul gunshot it will get censored. I might be wrong, but that is my thought. Thematically, it is more appropriate to use the click noice since it conveys a sense that Jimmy is still alive. I tend to think it would convey that Jimmy was playing Russian Roulette and survived the first round. What do you think?
Not a big deal what order you do these in. You should do Losing It next (after Money Game 2 I guess), you said that you can kinda tell his type of videos, Losing It will be a completely different type, you’re not ready for the gazillion pop culture references and the fact the video is 80-90% self shot by Ren. Oh, and he raps raps in it on an EDM beat, just cause 😊 🤷♀️
You really don't need to watch the Money Game trilogy in order. The themes are the same, but no one common story. If people give you a hard time about it, just ignore it. Sometimes Renegades can be a bit too renegadey. 😂
Lol... Ren could be a singer..... wtf... I guess you both can be excused since you are kind of working backwards... and that guy under the hood is not an actor.. he is Ren's friend and flatmate Romain Axisa, an amazing guitar talent that you have yet to discover and consider that he is playing totally blind here. The hooded person represents both of you, and me, or us that are blindly caught up in the money game and following the dictate of our masters (represented by Ren) who are manipulating us. Painting the eyes on the victim represents us opening our eyes to how we are being manipulated. Thus The dictator is burned. Ren is a really deep thinker.
I look at it slightly differently (but hey I could be completely wrong). I think Ren was the torturer/executioner who intended to harm and eventually kill his captive. I think his captive was the money game itself. He drew eyes on his victim so it could witness its own demise (via the petrol can). BUT when Ren saw the victim, now humanised, looking back at him he realised that he had become as bad as the thing he had set out to destroy ("we're all part of this old money game"). At that point Ren/the torturer/executioner, felt he had no option but to destroy himself
MG2 - do the official, not the acoustic. (The acoustic is great but i's only a portion of the song). After that, if you want to go another way, Murderer, Losing It, Animal Flow, Back On 74, Right Here Right Now... there are so with varying degrees but maybe not so deep messaging. The best thing about a Ren video is he may explain but he doesn't go into detail because he wants people to take what they will.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of these messages, but please, for the love of Jesus do the LYRIC video for Money Game pt II. The "Live" version out there isn't the full song, it was a video "short" before those were even a thing. There's no production value to commentate on, he's literally just walking on a beach.
It’s no big deal if they are out of order except a couple of call backs. You have not seen any of his rap yet or his cool old stuff. You are just watching the popular. There is no Ren style
It’s forgivable to watch the Money Game trilogy out of order, mainly because pt 3 is a cinematic work of art. It’s more difficult to forgive watching The Tale of Jenny & Screech out of order.
