It's probably because lot of people miss hear the bar as "writing ON Tesla" but he's actually saying "Thunder and lightening writing, I'M Tesla, connect direct, the hertz, dissconect"
Ren did say the reason it changes up so much is because of his ADHD😂. He said that on his twitch stream. So the song is definitely an honest representation of himself.
Yeah, hearing someone point out Ren's ADHD traits as a negative always makes me a little twitchy...because it's those same ADHD traits that have made a lot of people that weren't fans of rap at all suddenly take an interest and start exploring other artists.
Gaia=Greek Mother of life & Greek Goddess of Earth Taertaros = Deepest part of the underworld where they send the wicked Elysium = The Elysian Fields meaning, also known as Elysium, is an area within the underworld in Greek Mythology where the souls of heroes and the most virtuous people reside. The sword of Damocles is a metaphor for the danger that those in power face, and the idea that what seems like a good life can be full of anxiety and terror. Nephilim are giants but they were also the sons and daughters of half angel half human. He meant the latter. The Bible Nephilim. The girl "Kit " that's on this video singing is the same girl Ren had read the beginning of "Money Ties". She's an artist he met on Calgary. But she's all over his new album. She did all the artwork on the album also!
Gaia, the sword, and the Nephilim I got. The Taertaros and Elysium (not fully) I did not. A lot of introspection in this one as I figured it would be. I wonder what was the purpose of the mythology in this video. I got a few of the references, but found it hard to tailor it back to what I personally got out of the video. I know he recently did a live where he discussed the purpose so I may go watch that for fun Kit is talented as hell. He picked a good one in her and she's contributing nicely.
@@TheBlackSpeed 8:20 - It's about not fitting in this world and not being able to figure out to which world you belong. The Three Worlds is a paradigm that shows up all over and the fact that he's *Welsh* gives it its own spin. He used Gaia for the personification of the Earth while the third realm is *Asphodel* which is the middle plane and is described alternately as a field of grain, and a field of ash. When the Greek myths were repurposed past Romanization into early Christianity you had the third realm becoming Purgatory and also becoming this Earth. So the whole song is a song about stories and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Heaven-sent Nephilim while even the story of the Nephilim gets more complicated with the Book of Enoch adding context. In one telling it's the fallen angels breeding with mortal women, in another telling it's the Grigori/Watchers. *Those who stand apart, feeling disconnected from the battle of this world, and exist to teach mortals.* Kinda like Ren does, eh? You've got the contrast of Damocles and Dionysus II, the King named after the god Dionysus. The visual contrast of being both the victim and torturer, the beheaded and beheader. Welsh has the Earth Mother and Sky Father as part of their pantheon... Yeah, the subtle Welsh stuff in the almost Arthurian section is very Culhwch and Olwen, and other visual elements line up with the Mabinogion. TL;DR - He's a child of many worlds and his conception of self is split as well, perpetually stuck between extremes, grinding out a life in the Slaughterhouse of purgatory.
@@TheBlackSpeed 17:25 - LMFAO, sorry. Wasn't critiquing you on references caught or missed, rather sharing what resonated with me. I'm a writer and value stories above all, and Ren leaned heavy into this. There was so much in this that was there for people to catch to help us feel, each reference was another way to get to the core of his experience, another hook. The feeling was not knowing which world he was in, or who he was supposed to be, and that hit me hard. Every story and the clash of cultures - including having fans who aren't fans of the same history that informs his music - helped show just how disconnected from all the worlds he feels.
For me, the sword of damocles represents chronic illness. When you're chronically unwell, you're basically sitting under the same sword. You have up & downs with your illness, so when it's going better than usual, you're constantly waiting for that horse hair/thread to snap & throw you back into that darker place. Do we really ever fully live when we're either so unwell we can't live a life or when we're doing alright we're always worried it won't stay last so can't fully enjoy life.
@tierneygorman7893 I also have a chronic illness with chronic pain. But I guess I never looked at it that way. I know what my life is and have come to terms with it. Maybe it is like the sword of Damocles, but I refuse to look at my life so negativity even with Disability, with chronic pain & something that will never go away & can potentially take my life. But Dionysius was trying to teach Damocles a lesson, so I never looked at it that way! Good Luck! ♥️
That was a _quality_ rant my man. I really appreciated the value you brought to this. The depth of consideration you bring is what keeps me coming back time and again, with renewed eagerness every time. Thank you
Great reaction as usual my man. You hit the Nail on the head about Rens fans. Rap/Hip Hop has always been so far outside of my wheelhouse, but Ren has drawn me to the genre like no one else and actually has me growing a huge appreciation for the art itself. I also understand what you say about the song itself. It didn't immediately grab me like some others like 7 sins or Money ties. But after listening to it several (SEVERAL) more times, it's been growing on me RAPIDLY to be right up there amongst my favourites. Love your insights man. Keep up the reactions 👌👌👌
I actually think it's a very cohesive song. It's just that there are so many moving parts that it takes many listens to start connecting them all together. Definitely not casual listening. I sometimes think that Ren is too smart and too detailed for his own good. But I also like that about him. That said, you can hear the ADHD fingerprints all over his music, which probably contributes to the feelings of disjointedness you're getting. I myself have ADHD, so it all feels very friendly and comforting, haha.
Exactly! When I first heard the song I loved it cuz the vibe but I didn’t understand a lot of the references he was using. Then I saw some reactions that explained it better and this song is perfectly put together he’s not just rapping nonsense ever
I think ADHD brains have an ability to find connections that other people might not (at least not initially) so what can seem like disjointed jumps to others make our brains all tingly and excited 😂 Give me unconventional song structures and genre mixing all day!
Exactly this. It needs multiple listens. The first listen, I was like, ok, I like it but it has many moving parts, I'll need to hear it again to get a better sense of it. The more I listened to it, the better it sounded, until now I absolutely love it and how it flows and progresses. I'm generalizing here, but it's very complex for today's music.
❤ I especially love that as I was hearing you talk about the whole "disjointed" thing, I was formulating my response and by the time you were done, you had already acknowledged what was probably feeding the disjointed feeling (at least as far as what my theory is - a reflection of his experience) so I didn't even need to offer up my disagreement 😆 ... I'll be curious down the line if you mention your thoughts after you have let this one marinate for a bit - i definitely found that the more times I listened, the more slaughterhouse grabs me. I kind of love the huge span of it (that disjointed feeling got a lot smoother for me). love your reactions as always - totally appreciate that you *thiink* about it and call it as you see it, and that even when you have a criticism to offer... you still get it. see you next time.
Glad you hopped on this one, buddy. The song is fire and I conclude that the chaos is an intentional representation of the mess that is his mind. Slaughterhouse, the title says it all. Cheers man , keep them coming🤘🔥🇨🇦🍻
Oh I loved this one a ton! I love the all over the place feeling about this.. it is a journey.. I loved the video , the call backs, the homage, call out to his friends that passed and the killing off of Sick boi to start a new journey. I love him. there is something so special about him and his talents. I love all kinds of music and have remained open minded towards many genres …I am looking forward to hearing the rest of this album. Loved to hear what you thought.
Bradley, Kendrick inspired opening. He's very proud of that drop at the beginning after Kit said Welcome to the Slaughterhouse. This has so many Ren Song callbacks. Every Sick Boi song is represented here somehow. Wrong TESLA. The original Tesla that both Edison and Musk messed over in a big way. Only Ren can kill Sick Boi. The beat/flow changes are his ADHD so he doesn't get bored. 🤣7 Sins for 7 Rens. Suck a cl!t was originally "click" but cc: said suck a d!ck so he changed it to make it "more appropriate". Dexter's Laboratory AND Dexter the serial killer (all the blood and plastic). This song goes so layered. Everything is about 3 or 4 deep. The Head on a Platter was filmed after he got gouged in the eye with the rusty forceps. He refused to find out who did it because he didn't want to low-key hate them for almost making him blind. There is water flowing from the Right eye (as you look at it) and it's very swollen. The Bunny is named Johnson. There is a Jamaican Boxer named Bunny Johnson, the first British heavy weight boxing champ and then there's Watership Down and all of the bloodstained bunnies. Recently Juliet Johnson, the granddaughter of Adams, who wrote Watership Down (originally the idea was from the story he told his granddaughters at bedtime) just had the rights to the book returned to her family through court. So Johnson is a bunny that fights for rights!
Ren has said many times that he never writes with his audience in mind. That’s what makes his stuff so authentic. I don’t mind that it’s sometimes all over the place. It keeps it interesting for those of us with ADHD. I wouldn’t have minded a little more of that Ragaeton beat though. That was 🔥 I do want to address what you said about fans that say they like REN’s hip hop and then never listen to it again, because they aren’t really hip hop fans. Speaking for myself, I wholly disagree. I have never really been a hip hop fan, but since I started listening to Ren, watching reactors like you and checking out artists mentioned in comments etc., I’ve really expanded my musical taste. I do listen to almost all of Ren’s music often. It’s also led me to some other independent artists that I really enjoy as well as some older artists I had either forgotten about or had never given a fair shot. His music has just reawakened my love of music in general. That said, I am looking forward to him singing more on this album. I love his singing voice and I love to sing along.
Awesome rant! I am an old lady originally from rural Alabama and I didn’t pick up half of what he said on my first listen but I felt his pain and frustration! I go to Knox’s breakdown to get what I missed😂😂 then I appreciate even more how masterful he is with words! Chaotic for sure but I think it mirrors his life experience! Much love!❤️🔥✌🏻🫶🏻
Ren and Kit giving us a very warm welcome to the slaughter house 🔥 The wordplay wizard went off on this one! And he went a little dark too 🖤 An absolute genius at putting his struggles into art. Also while the song was written and the video filmed before his recent health dive, it certainly adds a layer to the experience of this track. Luckily he seems to have gotten through the worst of it as he’s back showing his face on instagram and even did a long twitch stream after the premiere. There were some very emotional moments, but also hopeful ones. Our sick boi can eat rice now! I am so hyped for the rest of the album! 🐰
I love your reactions. You don't put on false faces to make everyone happy. I had the same feeling as you about this song when I heard it the first time. The more I heard it though, the more I liked it and now I love it. Somebody else mentioned that it comes together and becomes cohesive the more you hear it. That is definitely true in my case. Now it all just flows for me. Maybe I have ADHD and don't know it. 🤪 This is a quick list of references that I heard Ren make to other songs that I made for another channel. I was rushing, so I know there are more but you weren't wrong about the rosy cheeks. 1. Shards of shattered glass is also in Troubles 2. Cold steel incision - Cold steel also in Troubles 3. Loco-motion - his song Loco 4. KIngdom come - KIng Dotta's Ren diss and Ren's response "Dumb King Come" (this might be a stretch) 5. Here lies the body of Ren - Seven Sins (last line of Welsh translated) 6. This one's for the broski - referencing For Joe 7. Taking your rosy cheeks, painting them blue - Jenny & Screech Much love! 💗
Nowadays I listen to and watch Ren’s works as complete art pieces, not just as music or musical styles or videos or lyrics or beats or…. they are just techniques of an art work, single brush marks on the Mona Lisa as you said. To me Ren is always seen and felt in his works and that is what makes it so interesting and hitting in so deep level. It, as good art always, evokes something in me, it is an experience even though the feelings may not be pleasant ones. With Ren there is always that very personal content but it somehow becomes something that concerns humanity more general too and the world we live in. To me, that is what art is for! Thanks for your insights! As always.
In his Twitch video from release day he said that changing things up so frequently may be a function of his adhd. I loved this and feel like his lyrics push us to look into the layers of meaning sometimes deep and other times playful. Love your reactions. ❤
I’m not a rap head, but I love everything that Ren puts out, especially when he raps!!! He’s so talented and I know he’s so passionate about it, and it really shows through in his rap songs!
Dexter to me was "Dexter Morgan" the for-ren-sic scientist/serial killer. He probably meant both Dexter Laboratories though. We know he has double meanings for many things. Love your honesty.
This was filmed way back in April before any relapse. Way beforw the Kujo situation. But it just goes to show that death and destruction, pain and reconstruction has been with him since 19. He said this is his intetnal reality with chronic illness and how we can be our own worst enemy regarding mental health. Killing off the old versions so he can begin again. Hw was stabbed in the eye here. 5 months later the pain and blindness returned and his whole body started crashing. It's been a scary. Hard 2 months for him. Supportive holistic treatments are helping but he is seeking new Lyme treatment in January.
I've been F-ing waiting for your reaction, after finally hearing "Castles Made of Sand" and your reaction to it, I know this one is gonna strike a similar chord with you. This is Next Level Ren. FYI Kit, Ren met her during his treatments while in Canada and she became his treatment buddy. She is also the narrator in "Money Ties", according to Ren, Kit is featured multiple times in his upcoming album. The last Scene, 7 Rens, 7 Sins.
I so appreciate that your reactions are both honest and thoughtful. I like angsty Ren too. Anyone whose gone through some kind of health struggle knows that you feel that way sometimes. You can't always "bright side" everything. And I like that Ren is 100% true to his art, regardless of what people may think. That takes courage. I love what you had to say, and your support of Ren, and that smile. It makes me smile too, every time.
Ok so this one I don't understand....whyyyyy skellington? I'm sure I've seen nightmare before Christmas but don't understand rens usage of skellington...any clues?
@@MalcolmMXTaylor I'm not sure. I missed it the first time (just heard skeleton) but then saw a reaction where they got right on it and then I couldn't unhear it. Hopefully he'll share the meaning behind it.
BOOM💥🔥fire reaction. When that bass comes in, with the sound of breaking glass, I think it sounds amazing. Disquieting and melodic at the same time. And the rhyme schemes are superb. Thanks my'ansum, love from Annie, in Cornwall, UK🙂🌸
I love the way that the song is disjointed and doesn't stick to a verse hook verse hook etc format. The thrill of never knowing what's coming next is what makes it exciting. I've listened to it many times now, and the more I listen the more it grows on me. On first listen, I wasn't convinced at the start, but as the song grew my enjoyment grew with it. But I'm a fan of it all now - just took a few listens.
It was a great in depth and as always an honest reaction ❤️. If there's any song of Ren's that takes several listens, it's this one. Maybe it's my ADHD, but I loved the all over the place thing. To me, the transitions were seamless considering the genre switch ups. 🥰
5:01 Yeah you are 😂. Don't try to deny it! Ren's honesty (and yours for that matter) is definitely precious. His music has me feeling for the first time in a long time. I was pretty numb. I'm beginning to realise there's a lot of real music out there, I just wasn't in a place to appreciate it before. This song in particular was an assault to the senses at first, and pretty overwhelming... but then I listened a bunch more times and it somehow magically pulled itself into a coherent whole. I love it. Tickles my brain.
@TheBlackSpeed i definitely see where you're coming from about the disjointedness, but like you, i loved the energy in it, in both his delivery and the production (which is 100% Ren's). And of course I loved the Dexter's lab shout out 😉
Was waiting for this one 😂thanks , Yeah that was him killing of sick boi, welcome to the slaughterhouse He said he switched it up so much cause of his adhd he gets bored 😂 that reggaeton switch up was WILD And this is deffo in my top 3 ren song’s immediately
Loved your honest reaction and rant. My favorite section starts with the last prophet and nephilim. It has the poetry of Seven Sins, which is still my favorite. But overall, I think this song is the internalized representation of the themes of Masochist.
Kit is the friend who did the speech in front of Money Ties by the way. Knox says there will be more of her on the album :) It's insane that the guy can be as ripped as he is and still be damn near critically ill.
I think you're the first reactor that validated what I thought from the first time I heard this: there were a ton of references to his other songs, both with flow and lyrics. I missed the rosy cheeks painted blue, that's a good catch I think. Near the end he mentions the love of music (Love Music 1-4) which I didn't really think about before but now it all makes sense. Cheers!
If that man would ever collab with me, we'd break the universe. I'd love it haha. But you gotta see what I can really do first, so just wait. It's coming. :)
Also I get what you mean. I don’t want to read too much into what Ren is doing here. I wonder if the disjointed flows might represent the parts of himself he’s killing. Since this is kind of a … I dunno if I want to use mistake, style for him, I might be reading too much into something he just tends to do.
Ok so what I liked: I liked the Greek references throughout. I’m a sucker for that stuff. I’m a lit major so he always gets me there, I start over analyzing every frame. I liked that he was honest, he didn’t sugar coat anything. Tbh initially it hit way too close to home. I want to honor where he is. I love his rap and if this is the only hip hop we get on this album I want to enjoy it. I wasn’t really ready for how raw this was going to be, I probably should have been. That said I have listened to it a few times now and it’s hitting me more in the catharsis and less in the oh no I don’t want to think about that right now. I haven’t seen many people talk about this from the standpoint of someone with chronic illness and wanted to give my pov on the deleting of self line. I think it can be read in three ways. The literal interpretation we all jump to, and I am sure we’re meant to. The deleting versions of the self that don’t serve is another layer. A third layer is that in auto immune disease the body deletes itself. The first and third layer hit me at the same time on my first listen. I couldn’t explain it because it hit me so hard. I’ve now gotten to the point where I can start explaining my pov on the song. I really love it. I went back and rewatched his million subs video and found a line in there I would get as a tattoo if my auto immune disease didn’t prevent me from doing so. Maybe I can get it cross stitched onto something instead. The guy is a powerful lyricist/speaker. I’m a fan of his soul, I think. I hope he feels better soon.
The section immediately preceding the part you liked, about homies, was my favourite part of the song. Lyrically it's on another level! Pure poetry and powerful poetry at that! The end section comes close to taking top spot, for me but that section from the Nephilim reference onwards wins ot, for the sheer brilliance of the lyricism! Ren has an outstanding pen! :)
I always love your commentary on Ren's work. You're eloquent and respectful and you understand what he's doing even if stylistically it might not be your cup of tea. I don't see a lot of reactors actually presenting this type of critique to his music, so you're very much appreciated!
Ren is the only artist where i am not spending 4 days trying to remember the words to his songs and i remember every song. So, when he references anything i can tell you the exact song it came from. Ren sparks neurons i didn't even know i had. And i understand how you feel about the all over the place, but honestly it helps my Adhd mind stay focused, you may hear that a lot from people that process thoughts the way people that have Adhd do.
@TBS, this is me answering your questions. Thanks for the great reaction! 1. I enjoyed and respect the skill (rap delivery, flow and writing) and depth of meaning of this song, but I didn't relate to it as much as some other Ren songs and it probably wouldn't make it on a playlist for me, for just listening enjoyment. 2. I personally don't get the intensity, feelings and energy from this song that I get from Seven Sins. Seven Sins hits harder for me. That may be because I relate more to Seven Sins. And Seven Sins is my favorite. For reference, some Ren songs that would make a playlist for me include Seven Sins, Murderer (live and acoustic), Half Time Retake, Sick Boi, Blind Eyed, Chalk Outlines, Ocean and Humble.
Oh, Seven Sins is a much better song than this. Without a doubt, so I'm with you there. But I do get the importance of this song for whatever metamorphosis he's going through right now.
3:09 thoroughly enjoyed how much you loved this part! ** Thank you for your thoughts. So many Ren reactors are more worried about keeping the fans happy than the music itself. Music , like all art, should be subjective. Your subjectivity is very much appreciated.
Good honest reaction. Let it marinate. We have heard this song so much. And love the variety of changes. Sounds like the rest of the album is going to very different. ❤
Ren’s mind is in chaos in the video but it all comes together. He then kills Sick Boi and reincarnates himself. Your reaction and analysis is spot on ❤
My first time watching this video, it was a lot to take in. The more I watch it I love it. I think it's all over the place is because inside his head is all over the place. In his Twitch stream, he watched Knox Hill's reaction and Knox said something about the flow switches. Ren said cuz he gets bored. lol and blamed his ADHD. The Dexter bar could be from Dexter the show Serial killer/ forensic photographer.
My thoughts The first listen I was confused and overwhelmed. It took another 2 listens before it really clicked for me and is now my favourite Ren song. (And I 100% did not pause 18 times on shirtless Ren)
LOL We RENegades are relentless😂I think it is a representation of him killing the old Ren aka Sick Boi off. He was saying in his stream that you have to keep re-inventing yourself as you thru sickness and remission
Ren did say the overall message for this video was both touching on his health struggles & how sometimes we are our own worst enemies in the end. This song also is representing the close of 1 chapter & his rebirth into the next with the this title track being the segway into the new Album of the same name"Slaughter House". Our guide though the new album will be Johnson the Bunny 🐰taking the place of the Sick Boi pig 🐷from the last album. (I'm going to copy & paste a general breakdown i made; on a different reaction channel, for verses 3 & 4) If you read this I'd love to hear your thoughts, I respect your thought process. Verse #3: Ren is giving us a deep double by using Skelington instead of the word Skeleton as in a reference to Jack Skelington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas". "The story goes that Jack is loved, respected, and even idolized by the other residents for what Jack does for them, but he has grown weary of celebrating the same holiday endlessly and is depressed about it."
So this could very well mean that Ren at times feels pigeon hold, because some fans idolize and celebrate him mostly for his music from the Sick Boi Album. He's hoping to be known for more than just the rap music that revolved around the most painful part of his life. (((This would fit because by the end of this song he's essentially killing off the Sick Boi and all the dark and light variations of that character (Hi Ren). At the end of this song a new Ren emerges for the upcoming album which is also titled Slaughter House.))) In verse #4: Ren touches on what we can look forward to on the new album. Ren is Dexter & he's created a crazy new album in his lab. "Working in a lab a mad bad lad, Dexter" - referencing (Dexter's Lab) Unlike his Sick Boi album, Ren only has a couple of hip hop tracks on the new album, the bulk of the album is 90% melodic, so he's looking to switch up his style on this new album & blow us away. "Switch up the style like bi-sex, impress you" He also saying that he's worked hard writing new songs, making them electrifying (As if he was Nikola Tesla himself) - "Heavy lift - tricep, bicep, I flex the Thunder and lightning writing, I'm Tesla Connect, direct it, hertz disconnect The last part I believe is just Ren being a little bit braggadocious. He's letting us know how good he believes the new album is. Ren may even silence some naysayers & haters out there who aren't a fan of his rap style with this new twist on this album. Ren's coming for you with the "bullet" he's referencing & haters will all "kneel to the emperor" translation - (give Ren his due flowers). All hail the head debt collector! 😂 " Coming for your neck, the head debt collector A million degrees graduate semester A bullet in the knee till you kneel to the emperor", That's just my 2 cents worth 😜... for all that's worth lol. If you read all of this then you're as crazy as I am and I appreciate the hell out of you. If you didn't F it, I was bored and had nothing better to do anyway. Cheers, 🍻
Video ends on SWAT Ren: "Oh Ren! Ren, what's up bro? You wanna talk? You wanna talk bro? Got some things you need to get off your chest?". Man, I literally laughed out loud at that point. I've watched a couple of your Ren reactions before, now subbed
Been waiting for this to come out from you been checking your channel daily waiting. Love watching your conent, reaction and entertainment. Keep up the great work :)
You caught more than most on your first run-through. The Dexter was a double, referencing the cartoon and the serial killer. This is going to sound a bit shallow, but for now my favorite bars are the sick bars... suck a clit. I don't think I've ever heard that word in a song before. 😂 Thanks again, for another great reaction. 💛🤘🤙✌️
Jenny and Screech: Ren references so many of his songs that it's worth a relisten to catch them. He's metaphorically killing off the old Rens; every time he gets up, something beats him down.
At first I liked the vibe and the video, then I started rereading the lyrics and digging into the various references. This song feels like a complex puzzle that only those who are familiar with Ren's catalog and his story will fully understand. Overall, it's not your average song (which is partly why I love Ren), it really makes your brain work, and even the video contains Easter eggs. For example, when Ren is strapped to the operating table and the other Ren are "testing" him, I think about how he was constantly trying to find his own diagnosis, and tried every possible treatment, often harming himself, in an attempt to figure out his illness. And then there's the reference to "a million degrees I'm graduating semester" about how he knows so much about various diseases that he can get a degree. Or at the beginning of the video, they shoot Ren's "ghost" with an AK. How he's first chained in plastic, and at the end he chops him up, and he's covered in his own blood, because on the way out he wounds himself. In general, you can write an essay on this song.❤❤❤
And that's exactly what Ren is all about, getting emotions across, and switching genres to show his feelings and situation. A true and honest artist and a voice for soooo many suffering people, he's painting pictures that are soooo accurate to discribe and show others the suffering. Spoken word parts or rap are just perfect to get the insanly genius wordsmith's creative energy out 😅 If he was 'just' going for a perfect song for this genre or that genre it would not be Ren. Also there are infinite others to do that, everyone can pick whatever one likes ☺️
I'm an old prog musician and prog-head, so I love the disjointedness and unexpected changes. Keeps me comfortably off-balance! 😂(Progressive rock borrows a lot from classical music, with multiple transitions, movements, switches in style, key, time signatures, etc.) In a comment long ago I even referred to Ren's rap style as "prog rap." Not sure if there is such a thing, but that's how I experience it. Speaking of Kendrick, Ren said there are a few inspirations from him in this song. I think he said the first flow ("I'm going through hell") was based on one of Kendrick's flows. And the circle-of-Rens scene was a reference to Kendrick's Humble, where his head is in the middle of a "sea" of bald heads bobbing up and down as they say, "Bitch, be humble, sit down." Ren posted a Twitch talk about Slaughter House on his @RenMakesStuff RUclips channel that I thought was pretty interesting. It's ironic that you mentioned Kendrick right at the start of the video.
Ren took out Sick Boi, like Em took out Slim Shadey....... throughout the song Ren is killing various versions of himself.,... There are so many references to his prior songs and parts of his life that he is bringing to a close..... Slaughter House is a mostly sung album with lots of features and collabs, Kit features heavily, she did the Monologue on Money Ties and the opening verse of Slaughter House and features on some more in the album, Chinchilla also I believe has a couple of songs with Ren on the album.... Ren said that meeting with Kit gave him a inspirational moment and the album flowed together, so I'm expecting some fire music that goes wherever the feck Ren wants it to go, because he's always at his best when he is just expressing himself..
And that's it, it's a fact!... If Ren were a drink it would be a rare premium vintage port!.... it gets better and better with each work it produces, just as premium vintage port gets better and better with each passing year !... Cheers, with a premium vintage port, to our Ren! Thanks for the reaction.
I got several chills. I feel this emotionally. Some people aren't down with his UK accent and are lost in lyrics. But I only rewind when I need to hear another fire verse. I enjoyed the rollercoaster of the tempo. I usually relisten to anybody's song, because I don't absorb the lyrics at first, because of being focused on the music first.
Ren said he gets bored easily so he adds a lot of switches but I’m never bored with his versatility and talent. I liked the dbls and the sole+shoe+tongue+laced bar. Imagine what he could do at 100% energy rather than the 80% he can access on a good day
Your smile brings me so much joy, absolutely love your channel, and your personality is pure joy personified ❤ Thank you for being you! Love this song , killer hook, it's a sad song but it's still a vibe, and kind of a bop. Missed your last live, I'll have to donate double nextime! ❤ Hey if you're down me and some of our gfs are driving through the states spending a few days in like 7 different states for some fun , if you want to come out for some drinks and have some laughs drop a message back, we're also fans of your vibe and content. Cheers handsome @TheBlackSpeed
First of all, thank you for saying that. That's very kind of you, and I really do appreciate it. Helps give me energy to keep going! And haha you don't ever have to do that, but I always appreciate it. I'm going live tonight (and going to try to start going live AT LEAST once a week going forward, so we'll talk about that soon).
Dude, your reactions are some of the best on RUclips. Not just the REN reactions (though that's what I've seemed to comment on), but all your reactions are dope. Having said that... I'm, yet again, chiming in again on another of your REN joint reacts. I've been a RENegade since before RENegade was a thing. 2016, to be exact. When he had his minor internet blowup with "Freckled Angels" and his song "Fire", as well as "Love Music" and "Love Music, PT 2". Watching this man grow into the artist he's become has been amazing. And I do mean ARTIST. POET, as well. As for "Slaughter House" being 'disjointed' and 'all over the place', I agree AND disagree. The song itself IS disjointed and a bit all over the place. But so is he. And I think that's a part of the song that shows what he's going through, in real time. Having seen and heard his mental and medical journey through his music for the past 8 years, "Slaughter House" just seems 'normal' to me. Something I expect at this point in his life. I hope he finds his way through his medical and mental difficulties, because REN is a force to be reckoned with.
I'm still catching things after several watches. I've said before that when I first watched, that my brain could not process the layers in the visuals AND lyrics, AND music that has his typical layers. You're more knowledgeable on music, but what you felt was disjointed, my brain appreciates and hooks me. The variety and change ups in his songs keeps my attention. I've also stated that I didn't know I could feel so many conflicting emotions simultaneously in a video. I think that captures a human condition and life is never black or white. If you have watched this against Children of the Moon (which I adore his acting in), you can see how he's exceeded his own brilliance (though he was hindered by budget in the first) and has the sophistication that could have only come life experience and hardships. He makes us work to fully enjoy his art and talent! And thank you for the energy and positive spirit I see in you. 🫶
I meant to watch Children of the Moon and I hate I didn't in October like I planned ha. I still may do it around Christmas time to be funny. But thank you for the kind words and breakdown. I really appreciate that.
I just came across your channel while going down my Ren habit hole reactions, and I respect you so much, and I look forward to listening to your other reactions ❤
1:53 - I spent like 6 hrs today pulling apart the lyrics & imagery/conceptualization of the video to try to make sense of it all (with having watched an awful lot of the Twitch streams/BTS stuff/him reading the stuff he wrote & filmed before Troubles was released) and yeah. TL;DR - I'm wishing this guy well & I hope he manages to navigate everything going on inside that head of his, without too much more torment. 4:50 - the grin I just grinned... one of us, one of us... 🤣 9:17 - I don't like/enjoy the song or video much. HOWEVER - those lyrics are a masterpiece, and listening to him deliver them while watching the images he's chosen to flesh out/emphasize/amplify all of the contents of his brain that he's spilled... I'm in awe unlike much awe I've experienced in my life. I said on Tim Walsh's initial reaction to the song that it's more like being assigned a Dostoevsky to read and interpret. (a thing I failed to add in that comment was that I meant something along the lines of "and coming out of it a changed person who later attempts to bring new analysis to 'The Possessed' in their PhD work," or something) 9:40 - yeah, as *songs* to listen to, I rarely appreciate the stuff he does that's chaotically all over the place. Sometimes the lyrics are fascinating enough to hold me after I acclimatize to the chaos (Genesis & Seven Sins); sometimes it's something that annoys me so much that I stop watching reaction videos to it (Wicked Ways, Sick Boi part 2, a few others). This one holds it together well *enough* that, along with the importance of the poetry/self-analysis in the lyrics, I'm gonna be coming back to it even after the reaction wave for it dies down.
“…they don’t like hip hop, they like Ren.” That’s a good point, but maybe not complete. I don’t really like hip hop/rap, but stumbled across ‘151 Rum’ a while back and love that track. I love a few of Eminem’s old songs. And I do listen to ALL of Ren’s music over and over. I keep waiting to find other music, but it’s hard because I don’t have the patience to sit through 100 songs I don’t like to find the golden egg.
Always love your reaction and always Love your honesty. I think you are spot on about Ren fans, i should know, im one of them. Thats why i wanted you to react as you don't chase the views but just tell your truth. Right, im off to watch your Kendrick reaction 😅
Glad you got to this one 😁 it is all over the place but my interpretation is that, that's part of it. I think it's just the way his mind works sometimes. Much love ✌️
👏👏👏 Loved your reaction! All the different mix ups! Ren knows has to be controversial! Love his angst! We see the best of Ren at these times! Sad that he has to go through so much! ♥️👍😁👍
Not gonna lie, every time someone says Elon Musk in response to the Nikola Tesla bar, I die a little inside. 🤣🤣🤣.
Especially because it includes a hertz bar.
Nikola got screwed by an industrialist in life and then again in death.
It's probably because lot of people miss hear the bar as "writing ON Tesla" but he's actually saying "Thunder and lightening writing, I'M Tesla, connect direct, the hertz, dissconect"
You hate the best inventor in the world???
@@timbrown6715 Not hate, it's just sad that people don't know who Nikolai Tesla is.
Ren did say the reason it changes up so much is because of his ADHD😂. He said that on his twitch stream. So the song is definitely an honest representation of himself.
And my music-loving ADHD brain appreciates his ADHD music. 😂
And all the renegades with ADHD appreciate it! It tickles the brain right 😂
@@ShiroarFacts. 😂😂
Yeah, hearing someone point out Ren's ADHD traits as a negative always makes me a little twitchy...because it's those same ADHD traits that have made a lot of people that weren't fans of rap at all suddenly take an interest and start exploring other artists.
Gaia=Greek Mother of life & Greek Goddess of Earth
Taertaros = Deepest part of the underworld where they send the wicked
Elysium = The Elysian Fields meaning, also known as Elysium, is an area within the underworld in Greek Mythology where the souls of heroes and the most virtuous people reside.
The sword of Damocles is a metaphor for the danger that those in power face, and the idea that what seems like a good life can be full of anxiety and terror.
Nephilim are giants but they were also the sons and daughters of half angel half human. He meant the latter. The Bible Nephilim.
The girl "Kit " that's on this video singing is the same girl Ren had read the beginning of "Money Ties". She's an artist he met on Calgary. But she's all over his new album. She did all the artwork on the album also!
Gaia, the sword, and the Nephilim I got. The Taertaros and Elysium (not fully) I did not. A lot of introspection in this one as I figured it would be.
I wonder what was the purpose of the mythology in this video. I got a few of the references, but found it hard to tailor it back to what I personally got out of the video. I know he recently did a live where he discussed the purpose so I may go watch that for fun
Kit is talented as hell. He picked a good one in her and she's contributing nicely.
@@TheBlackSpeed 8:20 - It's about not fitting in this world and not being able to figure out to which world you belong. The Three Worlds is a paradigm that shows up all over and the fact that he's *Welsh* gives it its own spin. He used Gaia for the personification of the Earth while the third realm is *Asphodel* which is the middle plane and is described alternately as a field of grain, and a field of ash.
When the Greek myths were repurposed past Romanization into early Christianity you had the third realm becoming Purgatory and also becoming this Earth. So the whole song is a song about stories and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.
Heaven-sent Nephilim while even the story of the Nephilim gets more complicated with the Book of Enoch adding context. In one telling it's the fallen angels breeding with mortal women, in another telling it's the Grigori/Watchers. *Those who stand apart, feeling disconnected from the battle of this world, and exist to teach mortals.* Kinda like Ren does, eh?
You've got the contrast of Damocles and Dionysus II, the King named after the god Dionysus. The visual contrast of being both the victim and torturer, the beheaded and beheader.
Welsh has the Earth Mother and Sky Father as part of their pantheon... Yeah, the subtle Welsh stuff in the almost Arthurian section is very Culhwch and Olwen, and other visual elements line up with the Mabinogion.
TL;DR - He's a child of many worlds and his conception of self is split as well, perpetually stuck between extremes, grinding out a life in the Slaughterhouse of purgatory.
@@TheBlackSpeed 17:25 - LMFAO, sorry. Wasn't critiquing you on references caught or missed, rather sharing what resonated with me. I'm a writer and value stories above all, and Ren leaned heavy into this. There was so much in this that was there for people to catch to help us feel, each reference was another way to get to the core of his experience, another hook.
The feeling was not knowing which world he was in, or who he was supposed to be, and that hit me hard. Every story and the clash of cultures - including having fans who aren't fans of the same history that informs his music - helped show just how disconnected from all the worlds he feels.
For me, the sword of damocles represents chronic illness.
When you're chronically unwell, you're basically sitting under the same sword. You have up & downs with your illness, so when it's going better than usual, you're constantly waiting for that horse hair/thread to snap & throw you back into that darker place.
Do we really ever fully live when we're either so unwell we can't live a life or when we're doing alright we're always worried it won't stay last so can't fully enjoy life.
@tierneygorman7893 I also have a chronic illness with chronic pain. But I guess I never looked at it that way. I know what my life is and have come to terms with it. Maybe it is like the sword of Damocles, but I refuse to look at my life so negativity even with Disability, with chronic pain & something that will never go away & can potentially take my life. But Dionysius was trying to teach Damocles a lesson, so I never looked at it that way! Good Luck! ♥️
That was a _quality_ rant my man. I really appreciated the value you brought to this. The depth of consideration you bring is what keeps me coming back time and again, with renewed eagerness every time. Thank you
This!!
Haha I really appreciate always seein' ya pop up, and glad you picked up what I was putting down.
Great reaction as usual my man.
You hit the Nail on the head about Rens fans. Rap/Hip Hop has always been so far outside of my wheelhouse, but Ren has drawn me to the genre like no one else and actually has me growing a huge appreciation for the art itself.
I also understand what you say about the song itself. It didn't immediately grab me like some others like 7 sins or Money ties. But after listening to it several (SEVERAL) more times, it's been growing on me RAPIDLY to be right up there amongst my favourites.
Love your insights man. Keep up the reactions 👌👌👌
Really appreciate the kind words. :) Thanks for that! I echo your sentiments exactly too.
I actually think it's a very cohesive song. It's just that there are so many moving parts that it takes many listens to start connecting them all together. Definitely not casual listening. I sometimes think that Ren is too smart and too detailed for his own good. But I also like that about him. That said, you can hear the ADHD fingerprints all over his music, which probably contributes to the feelings of disjointedness you're getting. I myself have ADHD, so it all feels very friendly and comforting, haha.
Exactly! When I first heard the song I loved it cuz the vibe but I didn’t understand a lot of the references he was using. Then I saw some reactions that explained it better and this song is perfectly put together he’s not just rapping nonsense ever
I think ADHD brains have an ability to find connections that other people might not (at least not initially) so what can seem like disjointed jumps to others make our brains all tingly and excited 😂 Give me unconventional song structures and genre mixing all day!
Exactly this. It needs multiple listens. The first listen, I was like, ok, I like it but it has many moving parts, I'll need to hear it again to get a better sense of it. The more I listened to it, the better it sounded, until now I absolutely love it and how it flows and progresses. I'm generalizing here, but it's very complex for today's music.
I loved it on a first listen… bopping my head through the hole song, I don’t have ADHD. But know I’m starting to wonder 🤣🤣🤣
ADHDER, here, well said these comments explain what our brains are like
❤ I especially love that as I was hearing you talk about the whole "disjointed" thing, I was formulating my response and by the time you were done, you had already acknowledged what was probably feeding the disjointed feeling (at least as far as what my theory is - a reflection of his experience) so I didn't even need to offer up my disagreement 😆 ... I'll be curious down the line if you mention your thoughts after you have let this one marinate for a bit - i definitely found that the more times I listened, the more slaughterhouse grabs me. I kind of love the huge span of it (that disjointed feeling got a lot smoother for me). love your reactions as always - totally appreciate that you *thiink* about it and call it as you see it, and that even when you have a criticism to offer... you still get it. see you next time.
Glad you hopped on this one, buddy. The song is fire and I conclude that the chaos is an intentional representation of the mess that is his mind. Slaughterhouse, the title says it all.
Cheers man , keep them coming🤘🔥🇨🇦🍻
Oh I loved this one a ton! I love the all over the place feeling about this.. it is a journey.. I loved the video , the call backs, the homage, call out to his friends that passed and the killing off of Sick boi to start a new journey. I love him. there is something so special about him and his talents. I love all kinds of music and have remained open minded towards many genres …I am looking forward to hearing the rest of this album. Loved to hear what you thought.
He isn't a martial artist. That bar is at the end of an Eminem cadence. He's a Marshall (Mathers) artist.
Ooo wow I never got that one!!!
Woooow. Very cool double
Bradley, Kendrick inspired opening. He's very proud of that drop at the beginning after Kit said Welcome to the Slaughterhouse. This has so many Ren Song callbacks. Every Sick Boi song is represented here somehow. Wrong TESLA. The original Tesla that both Edison and Musk messed over in a big way. Only Ren can kill Sick Boi. The beat/flow changes are his ADHD so he doesn't get bored. 🤣7 Sins for 7 Rens. Suck a cl!t was originally "click" but cc: said suck a d!ck so he changed it to make it "more appropriate". Dexter's Laboratory AND Dexter the serial killer (all the blood and plastic). This song goes so layered. Everything is about 3 or 4 deep. The Head on a Platter was filmed after he got gouged in the eye with the rusty forceps. He refused to find out who did it because he didn't want to low-key hate them for almost making him blind. There is water flowing from the Right eye (as you look at it) and it's very swollen. The Bunny is named Johnson. There is a Jamaican Boxer named Bunny Johnson, the first British heavy weight boxing champ and then there's Watership Down and all of the bloodstained bunnies. Recently Juliet Johnson, the granddaughter of Adams, who wrote Watership Down (originally the idea was from the story he told his granddaughters at bedtime) just had the rights to the book returned to her family through court. So Johnson is a bunny that fights for rights!
Don't forget, Ren very well might want us to feel that disjointed feeling...
cuz that's how his mind was when he was inspired for this song.
And that's fine, it why it was more an observation than anything else. I tailor it back to the necessity later in the video.
Ren has said many times that he never writes with his audience in mind. That’s what makes his stuff so authentic. I don’t mind that it’s sometimes all over the place. It keeps it interesting for those of us with ADHD. I wouldn’t have minded a little more of that Ragaeton beat though. That was 🔥
I do want to address what you said about fans that say they like REN’s hip hop and then never listen to it again, because they aren’t really hip hop fans. Speaking for myself, I wholly disagree. I have never really been a hip hop fan, but since I started listening to Ren, watching reactors like you and checking out artists mentioned in comments etc., I’ve really expanded my musical taste. I do listen to almost all of Ren’s music often. It’s also led me to some other independent artists that I really enjoy as well as some older artists I had either forgotten about or had never given a fair shot. His music has just reawakened my love of music in general.
That said, I am looking forward to him singing more on this album. I love his singing voice and I love to sing along.
Awesome rant! I am an old lady originally from rural Alabama and I didn’t pick up half of what he said on my first listen but I felt his pain and frustration! I go to Knox’s breakdown to get what I missed😂😂 then I appreciate even more how masterful he is with words! Chaotic for sure but I think it mirrors his life experience! Much love!❤️🔥✌🏻🫶🏻
The beat switch into the reggae-ish beat, my favorite. And that KKK bar 🔥🔥🔥
Ren and Kit giving us a very warm welcome to the slaughter house 🔥
The wordplay wizard went off on this one! And he went a little dark too 🖤 An absolute genius at putting his struggles into art. Also while the song was written and the video filmed before his recent health dive, it certainly adds a layer to the experience of this track. Luckily he seems to have gotten through the worst of it as he’s back showing his face on instagram and even did a long twitch stream after the premiere. There were some very emotional moments, but also hopeful ones. Our sick boi can eat rice now!
I am so hyped for the rest of the album! 🐰
Ren said that there is a hip hop song with Chinchilla on the album as well so this is 1 of the few rap songs
I love your reactions. You don't put on false faces to make everyone happy. I had the same feeling as you about this song when I heard it the first time. The more I heard it though, the more I liked it and now I love it. Somebody else mentioned that it comes together and becomes cohesive the more you hear it. That is definitely true in my case. Now it all just flows for me. Maybe I have ADHD and don't know it. 🤪 This is a quick list of references that I heard Ren make to other songs that I made for another channel. I was rushing, so I know there are more but you weren't wrong about the rosy cheeks.
1. Shards of shattered glass is also in Troubles
2. Cold steel incision - Cold steel also in Troubles
3. Loco-motion - his song Loco
4. KIngdom come - KIng Dotta's Ren diss and Ren's response "Dumb King Come" (this might be a stretch)
5. Here lies the body of Ren - Seven Sins (last line of Welsh translated)
6. This one's for the broski - referencing For Joe
7. Taking your rosy cheeks, painting them blue - Jenny & Screech
Much love! 💗
Nowadays I listen to and watch Ren’s works as complete art pieces, not just as music or musical styles or videos or lyrics or beats or…. they are just techniques of an art work, single brush marks on the Mona Lisa as you said. To me Ren is always seen and felt in his works and that is what makes it so interesting and hitting in so deep level. It, as good art always, evokes something in me, it is an experience even though the feelings may not be pleasant ones. With Ren there is always that very personal content but it somehow becomes something that concerns humanity more general too and the world we live in. To me, that is what art is for!
Thanks for your insights! As always.
In his Twitch video from release day he said that changing things up so frequently may be a function of his adhd. I loved this and feel like his lyrics push us to look into the layers of meaning sometimes deep and other times playful. Love your reactions. ❤
I’m not a rap head, but I love everything that Ren puts out, especially when he raps!!! He’s so talented and I know he’s so passionate about it, and it really shows through in his rap songs!
Dexter to me was "Dexter Morgan" the for-ren-sic scientist/serial killer. He probably meant both Dexter Laboratories though. We know he has double meanings for many things. Love your honesty.
Didn’t Dexter focus on killing only bad guys?
@@amagab2346 yes, he did, but he was a head debt collector with those bad guys. LOL
This one seemed like a evolution, death of old self to make way for the new self.
This was filmed way back in April before any relapse. Way beforw the Kujo situation. But it just goes to show that death and destruction, pain and reconstruction has been with him since 19. He said this is his intetnal reality with chronic illness and how we can be our own worst enemy regarding mental health. Killing off the old versions so he can begin again.
Hw was stabbed in the eye here. 5 months later the pain and blindness returned and his whole body started crashing. It's been a scary. Hard 2 months for him. Supportive holistic treatments are helping but he is seeking new Lyme treatment in January.
I've been F-ing waiting for your reaction, after finally hearing "Castles Made of Sand" and your reaction to it, I know this one is gonna strike a similar chord with you. This is Next Level Ren. FYI Kit, Ren met her during his treatments while in Canada and she became his treatment buddy. She is also the narrator in "Money Ties", according to Ren, Kit is featured multiple times in his upcoming album. The last Scene, 7 Rens, 7 Sins.
I believe you're mixing her up with Kyla, who was in treatment at the same clinic.
I so appreciate that your reactions are both honest and thoughtful. I like angsty Ren too. Anyone whose gone through some kind of health struggle knows that you feel that way sometimes. You can't always "bright side" everything. And I like that Ren is 100% true to his art, regardless of what people may think. That takes courage.
I love what you had to say, and your support of Ren, and that smile. It makes me smile too, every time.
Also, The Nightmare Before Christmas reference with Jack Skellington, skellington crew
Ok so this one I don't understand....whyyyyy skellington? I'm sure I've seen nightmare before Christmas but don't understand rens usage of skellington...any clues?
@@MalcolmMXTaylor I'm not sure. I missed it the first time (just heard skeleton) but then saw a reaction where they got right on it and then I couldn't unhear it. Hopefully he'll share the meaning behind it.
BOOM💥🔥fire reaction. When that bass comes in, with the sound of breaking glass, I think it sounds amazing. Disquieting and melodic at the same time. And the rhyme schemes are superb. Thanks my'ansum, love from Annie, in Cornwall, UK🙂🌸
You hit it on the head! RIP Sick Boi 🐷 Welcome to the Slaughterhouse 🐰 - Next Phase gunna be EPIC 👏👏👏❤️💥
It takes me several listens to truly appreciate his works. I totally understand where you’re coming from. ❤
There are so many layers to this one, I absolutely love it!
I loved Slaughter House! Thank you so much for your reaction. There was a lot of flow switches , the piano, the beat all 🔥
I love the way that the song is disjointed and doesn't stick to a verse hook verse hook etc format. The thrill of never knowing what's coming next is what makes it exciting.
I've listened to it many times now, and the more I listen the more it grows on me. On first listen, I wasn't convinced at the start, but as the song grew my enjoyment grew with it. But I'm a fan of it all now - just took a few listens.
Same....💯
It was a great in depth and as always an honest reaction ❤️. If there's any song of Ren's that takes several listens, it's this one. Maybe it's my ADHD, but I loved the all over the place thing. To me, the transitions were seamless considering the genre switch ups. 🥰
5:01 Yeah you are 😂. Don't try to deny it!
Ren's honesty (and yours for that matter) is definitely precious. His music has me feeling for the first time in a long time. I was pretty numb. I'm beginning to realise there's a lot of real music out there, I just wasn't in a place to appreciate it before. This song in particular was an assault to the senses at first, and pretty overwhelming... but then I listened a bunch more times and it somehow magically pulled itself into a coherent whole. I love it. Tickles my brain.
@5:22 I highly enjoy that cuban, latin like, dance beat he switched too! Gets everybody moving their bodies in every reaction I watched hahah.
Another great reaction! Thanks for taking the time to do this one! You and a couple other reactors are the ones i truly look forward to
💙
You're very welcome. :) I'm glad to be in that list. What did you think?
@TheBlackSpeed i definitely see where you're coming from about the disjointedness, but like you, i loved the energy in it, in both his delivery and the production (which is 100% Ren's). And of course I loved the Dexter's lab shout out 😉
@@TaylorBright13 Haha I knew you'd like that. A few of yall I had in with that. Good, glad you dig it. You know Ren makes me rant.
@TheBlackSpeed I subscribed for the ranting, keep it up!
@@TaylorBright13 😂 😂 glad to know
Was waiting for this one 😂thanks ,
Yeah that was him killing of sick boi, welcome to the slaughterhouse
He said he switched it up so much cause of his adhd he gets bored 😂 that reggaeton switch up was WILD
And this is deffo in my top 3 ren song’s immediately
That was actually incredibly heartwarming ❤️❤️❤️
Aww was it? :) Well, happy to tap into those fuzzy feelings.
I thought the same thing when I heard the 'rosey cheeks' part. Love your reaction as always 😁❤🐰
Woo hoo! We appreciate you!💜
Loved your honest reaction and rant. My favorite section starts with the last prophet and nephilim. It has the poetry of Seven Sins, which is still my favorite. But overall, I think this song is the internalized representation of the themes of Masochist.
When Kit steps in on her first lyric, it gives me chills. And not just because of the weather ❤
Kit is the friend who did the speech in front of Money Ties by the way. Knox says there will be more of her on the album :) It's insane that the guy can be as ripped as he is and still be damn near critically ill.
I think you're the first reactor that validated what I thought from the first time I heard this: there were a ton of references to his other songs, both with flow and lyrics. I missed the rosy cheeks painted blue, that's a good catch I think. Near the end he mentions the love of music (Love Music 1-4) which I didn't really think about before but now it all makes sense. Cheers!
I may be wrong, but is that pose on the bed under plastic the same one he finishes Crutch in?
This reaction was 🔥 🔥.love your honesty as always.a Ren/BlackSpeed collab?im here for it! .much love as always! ❤
If that man would ever collab with me, we'd break the universe. I'd love it haha. But you gotta see what I can really do first, so just wait. It's coming. :)
Man you don’t miss!!! I have been waiting for a reactor to catch the roses cheeks reference it’s been giving me stress 😂
Also I get what you mean.
I don’t want to read too much into what Ren is doing here. I wonder if the disjointed flows might represent the parts of himself he’s killing. Since this is kind of a … I dunno if I want to use mistake, style for him, I might be reading too much into something he just tends to do.
Bingo! I was thinking I was going mad as no one had mentioned rosy cheeks and Jenny. ❤❤
Ok so what I liked:
I liked the Greek references throughout. I’m a sucker for that stuff. I’m a lit major so he always gets me there, I start over analyzing every frame.
I liked that he was honest, he didn’t sugar coat anything.
Tbh initially it hit way too close to home. I want to honor where he is. I love his rap and if this is the only hip hop we get on this album I want to enjoy it. I wasn’t really ready for how raw this was going to be, I probably should have been.
That said I have listened to it a few times now and it’s hitting me more in the catharsis and less in the oh no I don’t want to think about that right now.
I haven’t seen many people talk about this from the standpoint of someone with chronic illness and wanted to give my pov on the deleting of self line. I think it can be read in three ways. The literal interpretation we all jump to, and I am sure we’re meant to. The deleting versions of the self that don’t serve is another layer. A third layer is that in auto immune disease the body deletes itself.
The first and third layer hit me at the same time on my first listen. I couldn’t explain it because it hit me so hard. I’ve now gotten to the point where I can start explaining my pov on the song. I really love it.
I went back and rewatched his million subs video and found a line in there I would get as a tattoo if my auto immune disease didn’t prevent me from doing so. Maybe I can get it cross stitched onto something instead. The guy is a powerful lyricist/speaker. I’m a fan of his soul, I think.
I hope he feels better soon.
The section immediately preceding the part you liked, about homies, was my favourite part of the song. Lyrically it's on another level! Pure poetry and powerful poetry at that! The end section comes close to taking top spot, for me but that section from the Nephilim reference onwards wins ot, for the sheer brilliance of the lyricism! Ren has an outstanding pen! :)
That's Johnson, the bunny rabbit at the end...
From How to Draw a Bunny? That's neat. With some slaughtered Slaughter House in there I see lol.
@TheBlackSpeed Right?! Is this the stick figures of bunny rabbits? Lol! J/k You know I love Ren! 😂
@@TheBlackSpeed Bunny Johnson - jamaican boxer! 😊❤
I always love your commentary on Ren's work. You're eloquent and respectful and you understand what he's doing even if stylistically it might not be your cup of tea. I don't see a lot of reactors actually presenting this type of critique to his music, so you're very much appreciated!
Ren is the only artist where i am not spending 4 days trying to remember the words to his songs and i remember every song. So, when he references anything i can tell you the exact song it came from. Ren sparks neurons i didn't even know i had. And i understand how you feel about the all over the place, but honestly it helps my Adhd mind stay focused, you may hear that a lot from people that process thoughts the way people that have Adhd do.
@TBS, this is me answering your questions. Thanks for the great reaction!
1. I enjoyed and respect the skill (rap delivery, flow and writing) and depth of meaning of this song, but I didn't relate to it as much as some other Ren songs and it probably wouldn't make it on a playlist for me, for just listening enjoyment.
2. I personally don't get the intensity, feelings and energy from this song that I get from Seven Sins. Seven Sins hits harder for me. That may be because I relate more to Seven Sins. And Seven Sins is my favorite.
For reference, some Ren songs that would make a playlist for me include Seven Sins, Murderer (live and acoustic), Half Time Retake, Sick Boi, Blind Eyed, Chalk Outlines, Ocean and Humble.
Oh, Seven Sins is a much better song than this. Without a doubt, so I'm with you there. But I do get the importance of this song for whatever metamorphosis he's going through right now.
3:09 thoroughly enjoyed how much you loved this part!
** Thank you for your thoughts. So many Ren reactors are more worried about keeping the fans happy than the music itself. Music , like all art, should be subjective. Your subjectivity is very much appreciated.
Good honest reaction. Let it marinate. We have heard this song so much. And love the variety of changes. Sounds like the rest of the album is going to very different. ❤
Amen! Agreed to everything you said! Awesome reaction to a masterclass art!
Honesty is gold!!!! Keep saying the truth and how you feel, authenticity is key. Great reaction dude
Happy Holibobs everyone ❤ love the reaction to this, thank you for sharing your time with us and Ren 🙌🏻🥃💜🇬🇧
"new me who dis?" is the best quote from any reactor 😂😂😂 😂
Rofl I'll take it!
Ren’s mind is in chaos in the video but it all comes together. He then kills Sick Boi and reincarnates himself.
Your reaction and analysis is spot on ❤
My first time watching this video, it was a lot to take in. The more I watch it I love it.
I think it's all over the place is because inside his head is all over the place.
In his Twitch stream, he watched Knox Hill's reaction and Knox said something about the flow switches. Ren said cuz he gets bored. lol and blamed his ADHD.
The Dexter bar could be from Dexter the show Serial killer/ forensic photographer.
My thoughts
The first listen I was confused and overwhelmed. It took another 2 listens before it really clicked for me and is now my favourite Ren song. (And I 100% did not pause 18 times on shirtless Ren)
C'mon the Johnston 🐰🤭
This was amazeballs at SGP & the video is awesome 🖤🐰🏴
Sorry not sorry 😂 I love the energy in this one as well. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family ❤
LOL We RENegades are relentless😂I think it is a representation of him killing the old Ren aka Sick Boi off. He was saying in his stream that you have to keep re-inventing yourself as you thru sickness and remission
Ren did say the overall message for this video was both touching on his health struggles & how sometimes we are our own worst enemies in the end. This song also is representing the close of 1 chapter & his rebirth into the next with the this title track being the segway into the new Album of the same name"Slaughter House". Our guide though the new album will be Johnson the Bunny 🐰taking the place of the Sick Boi pig 🐷from the last album.
(I'm going to copy & paste a general breakdown i made; on a different reaction channel, for verses 3 & 4) If you read this I'd love to hear your thoughts, I respect your thought process.
Verse #3:
Ren is giving us a deep double by using Skelington instead of the word Skeleton as in a reference to Jack Skelington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas".
"The story goes that Jack is loved, respected, and even idolized by the other residents for what Jack does for them, but he has grown weary of celebrating the same holiday endlessly and is depressed about it."
So this could very well mean that Ren at times feels pigeon hold, because some fans idolize and celebrate him mostly for his music from the Sick Boi Album. He's hoping to be known for more than just the rap music that revolved around the most painful part of his life.
(((This would fit because by the end of this song he's essentially killing off the Sick Boi and all the dark and light variations of that character (Hi Ren). At the end of this song a new Ren emerges for the upcoming album which is also titled Slaughter House.)))
In verse #4: Ren touches on what we can look forward to on the new album.
Ren is Dexter & he's created a crazy new album in his lab.
"Working in a lab a mad bad lad, Dexter" - referencing (Dexter's Lab)
Unlike his Sick Boi album, Ren only has a couple of hip hop tracks on the new album, the bulk of the album is 90% melodic, so he's looking to switch up his style on this new album & blow us away.
"Switch up the style like bi-sex, impress you"
He also saying that he's worked hard writing new songs, making them electrifying (As if he was Nikola Tesla himself) -
"Heavy lift - tricep, bicep, I flex the
Thunder and lightning writing, I'm Tesla
Connect, direct it, hertz disconnect
The last part I believe is just Ren being a little bit braggadocious. He's letting us know how good he believes the new album is. Ren may even silence some naysayers & haters out there who aren't a fan of his rap style with this new twist on this album. Ren's coming for you with the "bullet" he's referencing & haters will all "kneel to the emperor" translation - (give Ren his due flowers). All hail the head debt collector! 😂
" Coming for your neck, the head debt collector
A million degrees graduate semester
A bullet in the knee till you kneel to the emperor",
That's just my 2 cents worth 😜... for all that's worth lol.
If you read all of this then you're as crazy as I am and I appreciate the hell out of you. If you didn't F it, I was bored and had nothing better to do anyway.
Cheers, 🍻
Video ends on SWAT Ren: "Oh Ren! Ren, what's up bro? You wanna talk? You wanna talk bro? Got some things you need to get off your chest?". Man, I literally laughed out loud at that point. I've watched a couple of your Ren reactions before, now subbed
Loved your insight into Ren's genres and how people view them. Keep doing what you do!
Been waiting for this to come out from you been checking your channel daily waiting. Love watching your conent, reaction and entertainment. Keep up the great work :)
9:53 one might even say "hatchet job" 😎
You caught more than most on your first run-through. The Dexter was a double, referencing the cartoon and the serial killer. This is going to sound a bit shallow, but for now my favorite bars are the sick bars... suck a clit. I don't think I've ever heard that word in a song before. 😂 Thanks again, for another great reaction. 💛🤘🤙✌️
Jenny and Screech: Ren references so many of his songs that it's worth a relisten to catch them.
He's metaphorically killing off the old Rens; every time he gets up, something beats him down.
At first I liked the vibe and the video, then I started rereading the lyrics and digging into the various references. This song feels like a complex puzzle that only those who are familiar with Ren's catalog and his story will fully understand. Overall, it's not your average song (which is partly why I love Ren), it really makes your brain work, and even the video contains Easter eggs. For example, when Ren is strapped to the operating table and the other Ren are "testing" him, I think about how he was constantly trying to find his own diagnosis, and tried every possible treatment, often harming himself, in an attempt to figure out his illness. And then there's the reference to "a million degrees I'm graduating semester" about how he knows so much about various diseases that he can get a degree. Or at the beginning of the video, they shoot Ren's "ghost" with an AK. How he's first chained in plastic, and at the end he chops him up, and he's covered in his own blood, because on the way out he wounds himself. In general, you can write an essay on this song.❤❤❤
And that's exactly what Ren is all about, getting emotions across, and switching genres to show his feelings and situation.
A true and honest artist and a voice for soooo many suffering people, he's painting pictures that are soooo accurate to discribe and show others the suffering.
Spoken word parts or rap are just perfect to get the insanly genius wordsmith's creative energy out 😅
If he was 'just' going for a perfect song for this genre or that genre it would not be Ren. Also there are infinite others to do that, everyone can pick whatever one likes ☺️
I'm an old prog musician and prog-head, so I love the disjointedness and unexpected changes. Keeps me comfortably off-balance! 😂(Progressive rock borrows a lot from classical music, with multiple transitions, movements, switches in style, key, time signatures, etc.) In a comment long ago I even referred to Ren's rap style as "prog rap." Not sure if there is such a thing, but that's how I experience it.
Speaking of Kendrick, Ren said there are a few inspirations from him in this song. I think he said the first flow ("I'm going through hell") was based on one of Kendrick's flows. And the circle-of-Rens scene was a reference to Kendrick's Humble, where his head is in the middle of a "sea" of bald heads bobbing up and down as they say, "Bitch, be humble, sit down." Ren posted a Twitch talk about Slaughter House on his @RenMakesStuff RUclips channel that I thought was pretty interesting. It's ironic that you mentioned Kendrick right at the start of the video.
Ren took out Sick Boi, like Em took out Slim Shadey....... throughout the song Ren is killing various versions of himself.,... There are so many references to his prior songs and parts of his life that he is bringing to a close.....
Slaughter House is a mostly sung album with lots of features and collabs, Kit features heavily, she did the Monologue on Money Ties and the opening verse of Slaughter House and features on some more in the album, Chinchilla also I believe has a couple of songs with Ren on the album....
Ren said that meeting with Kit gave him a inspirational moment and the album flowed together, so I'm expecting some fire music that goes wherever the feck Ren wants it to go, because he's always at his best when he is just expressing himself..
And that's it, it's a fact!... If Ren were a drink it would be a rare premium vintage port!.... it gets better and better with each work it produces, just as premium vintage port gets better and better with each passing year !...
Cheers, with a premium vintage port, to our Ren!
Thanks for the reaction.
I got several chills. I feel this emotionally. Some people aren't down with his UK accent and are lost in lyrics. But I only rewind when I need to hear another fire verse.
I enjoyed the rollercoaster of the tempo. I usually relisten to anybody's song, because I don't absorb the lyrics at first, because of being focused on the music first.
The sword of damaclese reference is wild! Something you’ll want to google to get the full image!
Your smile said EVERYTHING ❤
Killing off the sick boi and introducing Johnson Bunny 🐰❤
Loved everything about it, including your rap brain insights 🙏🦉❤️🐊👍
Ren said he gets bored easily so he adds a lot of switches but I’m never bored with his versatility and talent. I liked the dbls and the sole+shoe+tongue+laced bar. Imagine what he could do at 100% energy rather than the 80% he can access on a good day
Your smile brings me so much joy, absolutely love your channel, and your personality is pure joy personified ❤ Thank you for being you!
Love this song , killer hook, it's a sad song but it's still a vibe, and kind of a bop.
Missed your last live, I'll have to donate double nextime! ❤
Hey if you're down me and some of our gfs are driving through the states spending a few days in like 7 different states for some fun , if you want to come out for some drinks and have some laughs drop a message back, we're also fans of your vibe and content.
Cheers handsome @TheBlackSpeed
First of all, thank you for saying that. That's very kind of you, and I really do appreciate it. Helps give me energy to keep going!
And haha you don't ever have to do that, but I always appreciate it. I'm going live tonight (and going to try to start going live AT LEAST once a week going forward, so we'll talk about that soon).
Dude, your reactions are some of the best on RUclips. Not just the REN reactions (though that's what I've seemed to comment on), but all your reactions are dope. Having said that... I'm, yet again, chiming in again on another of your REN joint reacts. I've been a RENegade since before RENegade was a thing. 2016, to be exact. When he had his minor internet blowup with "Freckled Angels" and his song "Fire", as well as "Love Music" and "Love Music, PT 2". Watching this man grow into the artist he's become has been amazing. And I do mean ARTIST. POET, as well. As for "Slaughter House" being 'disjointed' and 'all over the place', I agree AND disagree. The song itself IS disjointed and a bit all over the place. But so is he. And I think that's a part of the song that shows what he's going through, in real time. Having seen and heard his mental and medical journey through his music for the past 8 years, "Slaughter House" just seems 'normal' to me. Something I expect at this point in his life. I hope he finds his way through his medical and mental difficulties, because REN is a force to be reckoned with.
Loved it, great reaction, thank you Sir 🙏🐊❤️🦉👍
Ren is an ADHD'er who has learned to master his ability to hyper focus. As someone with ADHD, it's inspiring to watch.
I'm still catching things after several watches. I've said before that when I first watched, that my brain could not process the layers in the visuals AND lyrics, AND music that has his typical layers. You're more knowledgeable on music, but what you felt was disjointed, my brain appreciates and hooks me. The variety and change ups in his songs keeps my attention.
I've also stated that I didn't know I could feel so many conflicting emotions simultaneously in a video. I think that captures a human condition and life is never black or white.
If you have watched this against Children of the Moon (which I adore his acting in), you can see how he's exceeded his own brilliance (though he was hindered by budget in the first) and has the sophistication that could have only come life experience and hardships. He makes us work to fully enjoy his art and talent!
And thank you for the energy and positive spirit I see in you. 🫶
I meant to watch Children of the Moon and I hate I didn't in October like I planned ha. I still may do it around Christmas time to be funny.
But thank you for the kind words and breakdown. I really appreciate that.
Love it! Thank you for your honest words.
I just came across your channel while going down my Ren habit hole reactions, and I respect you so much, and I look forward to listening to your other reactions ❤
That's really cool of you to say, happy you found your way here and enjoying yourself. :) Hope to keep seeing you around!
That _Jenny and Screech_ reference occurred to me as well when I heard it.
I’m so confused about how this man can touch me so much! Ren you are incredible! Mind reader!
When you said it was another part you liked I kinda figured that was it. I love this, great react. He is definitely killing the sic boi
I guess I know the answer to “doesn’t it feel nice to be wanted?” 🤣
Great in-depth reaction❤thanks, my favourite part/s..
Listen 1. Beat/ music production Cleeeeaan!!
2nd time. Cinematography, immense creativity!!
3rd time. Lyrical content🤯..
4th lyrical content…
5th lyrical content ..
Etc etc …….😂😂
1:53 - I spent like 6 hrs today pulling apart the lyrics & imagery/conceptualization of the video to try to make sense of it all (with having watched an awful lot of the Twitch streams/BTS stuff/him reading the stuff he wrote & filmed before Troubles was released) and yeah. TL;DR - I'm wishing this guy well & I hope he manages to navigate everything going on inside that head of his, without too much more torment.
4:50 - the grin I just grinned...
one of us, one of us... 🤣
9:17 - I don't like/enjoy the song or video much. HOWEVER - those lyrics are a masterpiece, and listening to him deliver them while watching the images he's chosen to flesh out/emphasize/amplify all of the contents of his brain that he's spilled... I'm in awe unlike much awe I've experienced in my life.
I said on Tim Walsh's initial reaction to the song that it's more like being assigned a Dostoevsky to read and interpret.
(a thing I failed to add in that comment was that I meant something along the lines of "and coming out of it a changed person who later attempts to bring new analysis to 'The Possessed' in their PhD work," or something)
9:40 - yeah, as *songs* to listen to, I rarely appreciate the stuff he does that's chaotically all over the place. Sometimes the lyrics are fascinating enough to hold me after I acclimatize to the chaos (Genesis & Seven Sins); sometimes it's something that annoys me so much that I stop watching reaction videos to it (Wicked Ways, Sick Boi part 2, a few others). This one holds it together well *enough* that, along with the importance of the poetry/self-analysis in the lyrics, I'm gonna be coming back to it even after the reaction wave for it dies down.
“…they don’t like hip hop, they like Ren.” That’s a good point, but maybe not complete. I don’t really like hip hop/rap, but stumbled across ‘151 Rum’ a while back and love that track. I love a few of Eminem’s old songs. And I do listen to ALL of Ren’s music over and over. I keep waiting to find other music, but it’s hard because I don’t have the patience to sit through 100 songs I don’t like to find the golden egg.
Always love your reaction and always Love your honesty.
I think you are spot on about Ren fans, i should know, im one of them.
Thats why i wanted you to react as you don't chase the views but just tell your truth.
Right, im off to watch your Kendrick reaction 😅
Much appreciated and respect you got what I was puttin' down. Thanks for that, hope you like the Kendrick!
Glad you got to this one 😁 it is all over the place but my interpretation is that, that's part of it. I think it's just the way his mind works sometimes. Much love ✌️
It simply has LIFE in terms of longevity
👏👏👏 Loved your reaction! All the different mix ups! Ren knows has to be controversial! Love his angst! We see the best of Ren at these times! Sad that he has to go through so much! ♥️👍😁👍
Love to your son! Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you ❤❤❤ (can’t wait to check out yr Kendrick 🔥)