Listening to Ren feels like stumbling upon a private confession that was never meant for your ears, yet somehow speaks directly to your own secrets. It is the sound of a man using every tool at his disposal, from a battered acoustic guitar to a razor-sharp rap flow, to exorcise his demons in real time. The music is uncomfortably intimate, often recorded in single takes that capture every breath, crack in the voice, and percussive slap of the strings.
What sets him apart is his theatricality. He does not just sing or rap; he performs internal dialogues, playing multiple characters within his own mind to illustrate the friction between hope and despair. There is a gritty, busker-born authenticity to his work that makes even his most polished studio tracks feel like they were born on a cold street corner in Brighton. It is music that demands your full attention, refusing to fade into the background.
Start with 'Hi Ren' to witness his most iconic performance, a masterclass in psychological storytelling. From there, move to 'Sick Boi' for a more aggressive, hip-hop-leaning exploration of chronic illness and societal decay. If you want something more melodic, 'Chalk Outlines' showcases his ability to write haunting, stripped-back ballads that linger long after the final note.
Ren Eryn Gill (born Ren Erin Gill, 29 March 1990), known professionally as Ren, is a Welsh singer-songwriter, musician, rapper, producer, actor, and director. Formerly a member of Trick the Fox and current member of The Big Push, Ren has independently released two albums, Freckled Angels (2016) and Sick Boi (2023). His second major album, Sick Boi, reached the number one spot on the UK charts on 20 October 2023, beating out Rick Astley's new release in a battle for number one and surpassing both Drake and Troye Sivan. In the US, the album debuted at No. 137 on Billboard 200. Ren also debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart and No. 54 on the Billboard 100 Artists chart. Ren's breakthrough came when he released "Hi Ren" in 2022. It went viral, receiving 6.8 million views on YouTube within two months of its release and charted worldwide in YouTube's trending music video chart. The song received an honourable mention for best European music video at the Prague Music Video Awards and was nominated for best music video at Camerimage 2023. As part of Ren's second studio album, Sick Boi, the single, "Money Game, Pt. 3", won numerous awards, including Best Music Video, Best Director, Best Concept, and received an Honourable Mention for Best Cinematography. The single was also chosen for the British Arrows Y24 Shortlist in the categories of Music Video Director and Music Video Producer. Ren has been suffering with Lyme disease and its side effects since 2009. He was misdiagnosed with depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bipolar disorder for years. At the end of 2015, he was properly diagnosed. The following year, he received an experimental treatment that included stem cell transplants. He has autoimmune issues, brain damage, PTSD, and fatigues easily. He continues to try experimental treatments to improve his health. Many of his songs reflect the ordeal regarding his health; and it has motivated his activism for mental health.
Shares cathartic, vulnerable, defiant (moods); bedroom production, live recording, stripped back (production style)
Shares solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere); conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop (subgenres)
Shares conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); defiant, vulnerable, intense (moods)
Shares solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere); minimalist, bedroom production, stripped back (production style)
Shares vulnerable, defiant, brooding (moods); solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere)
Shares solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere); vulnerable, brooding, defiant (moods)
Shares solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere); conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop (subgenres)
Shares conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); solitude, urban night, rainy day (atmosphere)
Shares solitude, urban night, basement show (atmosphere); conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop (subgenres)
Shares conscious hip-hop, abstract hip-hop, raw, stripped back (subgenre)
Shares acoustic guitar, conscious hip-hop, acoustic folk, alternative rock (signature)
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