Interesting reaction as it shows what happens when your understanding of music is focussed on competition.

Ren 4 hours ago (edited) Overhwlemed by the amount of support for illest Of Our Time. Have been loving watching all the reaction videos and hearing everyone's interpretation. I never usually break down my own words because I love letting people apply their own meaning, but there was one line I wanted to explain. The title of the song. Alot of people took this to mean "The greatest Of Our Time" "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find, Till then I guess I'm still the illest of our time" Its my reluctance to be the illest - the clue is in the word 'guess' - ive spent the better part of a decade looking for solutions to the damage lyme disease dealt with countless doctors visits, and am still in that boat. "Illest" can also mean "dopest" "best" etc. So it's a bit of a double entendre. Same as "Sick boi" This theme is repeated with the line "elementary dear Watson you might find" cause Sherlock Holmes was always searching for the clues to piece the puzzle together, which is very relatable when trying to piece together parts of a very complex health picture, anyone with a very complex illness will relate to almost having to become your own detective. And finally "A pathologic entity - if eveything is set in stone then this is how its meant to be" Acceptance that this might just be the cards I've been dealt. To search for answers and simultaneously accept that chronic illnest may be your fate is a bit of a paradox because it is the rejection of acceptance that spurs you forward in the persuit of answers, but it is the acceptance that you may always be sick that let's you lead a more peaceful life... so one must walk this contradictory line between both opposing states to have the motivation to find the answers whilst not being so outcome dependent. Still haven't mastered this, but think it's an interesting concept

@tomturbo1317

Жыл бұрын

This is why you're a legend.

@Henry4ever

Жыл бұрын

Rennnn. You are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 10 years from now nobody will compare rappers to MM anymore... they'll compare rappers to Ren. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Song is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥 Ren is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Reaction is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 ....thanks man.

@alexlowe8829

Жыл бұрын

Hi Chris - where did you get the Info? Instagram? Just to understand. Much Love.

@miksmith1250

Жыл бұрын

Hope Chris reads this and maybe understands the title of the track and not take it so literally, love the track btw, awesome @Ren

@dowtish1

Жыл бұрын

@@alexlowe8829 Ren made this comment a few hours ago under his community tab on YT page

I think it’s unfortunate that you went into this not realizing or understanding that “illest of our time” is a reference to his actual, real chronic illness. I feel like that kind of put you in a hyper-critical mode right from the start. But maybe that’s an assumption on *my* part. To be fair, I haven’t seen any of your reactions before. It might be worth checking out more of his music to get a better feel for it! All I know is I haven’t felt anything like this from new music in literal decades, and I’m just really fucking happy that he’s here.

I mean Illest of our time is clearly a double entendre, meaning he is actually physically ill, but still putting out bars. The whole thing to me is like an invitation to visit his mind (that ill in the physical sense due to brain damage from Lyme's).... He refes to the illness quite a few times in the lyrics.

Wow. What is it like to be so fixed in your box that you can't see outside of it and are not able to see the double meanings in this song? I showed this to my work colleague who'd never heard of Ren and he got it. I guess this is why Ren is challenging the genre as there are so many who are fixed in their ideas and refuse to see outside their narrow definition of what good music is. I'm not sure what the point of a reactor is who can't see the most basic of meanings behind a song and who has already made up their mind before they've heard it. Just my honest opinion though, it's all good, we are just human beings.

Interesting how you found the beat "not believable". I produce music and to me his production is one the many things that sets him apart from the monolithic and completely forgettable sea of mumble rap and trap beats out there. His instrumentals on this track and on Sick Boi for example are unique (apart from that well know choir sample in Sick Boi) and absolute bangers in my mind. That cyberpunk/prodigy arpeggio synth in this one is just a thing of beauty. Not to mention that he is producing it himself on top of everything else he does! I respect your opinion but to me this is just so impressive and I am bit confused as to what "not believable" means. Maybe you feel like he is not being authentic with the whole vibe of this song, but he is just playing that role of "illest of our time" rapper, just like so many other rappers do in their music and unlike most of them he can also crush completely different roles in his other songs. So whether the title is meant as a mental illness reference or as a brag, I believe he actually has a potential to be one of the "illest" musicians of our time if he keeps going like this.

@lesliehaigh6765

Жыл бұрын

ren producehis own stuff

The title is about his literal illness and fighting Lyme disease. You can take it as a double entendre but it’s about his health struggles. Just wanted you to have that clarification. Appreciate the honesty

As someone who claims to be a long time rap or hip hop fan, I’m surprised that the meaning went over your head. He’s not claiming to be the best rapper ever. It’s a play on him dealing with mental and physical illness. The entire song is sprinkled with references to sick being related to illnesses. “Sweet like a spoon full of sugar” sugar helping the medicine go down. “Spread the words I seek like they’re cancerous”, “I’m coughing catchy Bronchitis. You’re in your funeral coffin (coughin)” You also mentioned not being a fan of the beat but it should be noted that Ren makes his own beats (apart from his covers and retake tracks). Which I highly respect over the copy paste, disposable music pushed at us every day. Anyone can pay a ghost writer to hand them their lyrics and read them over a DJ Khalid beat.

@Magick73

Жыл бұрын

DJ Khalid 😂😂😂😂😂

@elizabethkindred6806

Жыл бұрын

You have to give him credit for leaving this up. If I had so totally missed the meaning of a song and made a fool of myself like this I wouldn't have the balls to leave it up.

@nathanfausti9213

Жыл бұрын

He did take something down. After everyone responded to him saying...dude Ren is sick, Polo pinned up his own comment in response. *STILL* not even understanding that ill = sick (and that it was the theme of most of the bars), he posted a whiny, sarcastic tirade about how now he’s going to have to heap praise on anyone who is disabled just so people aren’t mad at him. It was fucking cringetastic. Remember back in 2016 when T**** mocked a disabled journalist using the “retard” hand gesture that middle school bullies are so fond of? Yeah, that was the vibe. Ironically, that mindset could garner him support, but only from folks who believe his place is in a cotton field. (POLO, since you’re unlikely to understand that, let me clarify: I’m saying that you’re simping for old white dudes who view you as property. They hate you, yet you drop to your knees and beg them to open their fly.) Unfortunately, I didn’t take a screenshot immediately, because he deleted that comment REAL fast. It reminded me of the concept of Schrodinger’s Douchebag: Someone who spouts some offensive bullshit, but waits to see the reaction before he decides to play it off as a joke or not.

@autisticberserker1807

Жыл бұрын

The song name is a double, which means that it does in fact imply that he is the best rapper of our time. This song ,in and of itself, just doesn't live up to that standard imo. I would argue that Ren's entire catalog could one day, live up to that title but this one song, does not, even if you catch all of the internal doubles. If you don't know Ren's whole story then it would not be surprising to miss many of the doubles which makes this song hit a lot less hard.

@greenmonster4918

Жыл бұрын

​@@autisticberserker1807 why does 1 song have to be what "Illest of our TIME" refers to, instead of a catalogue? How many 'misses' have you heard from Ren? All these 'greats' he listed off have all had flops. Personally I find the majority of their work to suck.

This whole song went over your head man

@davidbrown7779

Жыл бұрын

😂😂 FACTS

@bornsick5150

Жыл бұрын

This guy didn’t actually think he was talking about hip hop illest. “Elementary dear Watson you might find, Yourself insides the mind of the illest of our time” Literally says it at the beginning. He needs to watch Knox hill so he can help him catch the bars

@CREEKFISHING423

Жыл бұрын

Wayyyy over his head.

@CREEKFISHING423

Жыл бұрын

​@@bornsick5150 big facts

@megandavis360

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Dude just doesn't get it

i think that the problem with your reaction is that you watch it through the lens of US hip hop history. You apparently know shit about the britishness flavour of this song. What you call ‘a cool beat’ it comes straight from the crossover british groups of the nineties like prodigy or Chemical brothers (that featured Q-tips and that you probably never heard before). And when you speak about Michael and his ‘beat it’ you ignore that the hooligan thing is completely differents from the US gangs, there have no territory, no drug business, it’s a sport (soccer) supporter thing, you can even find big belly dads on their fifties among them. In the clip is totally credible… if only you knew what you spoke about. Peace.

He’s up and coming but he’s humble. He got very emotional on his birthday livestream. “Illest of Our Time” is about his actual illness not that he’s the best.

This is the reaction version of hopping into a conversation halfway thru and not really knowing what's going on but throwing your 2 cents out anyway.

@meaghanhoffmann5869

Жыл бұрын

YES! This!!

@Veeliscious

Жыл бұрын

Great analogy

I love Ren. Illest of our time refers to his illness.

@ner0p

Жыл бұрын

You're wasting your breath, the guy is so smart that he didn't catch that.

@davidbrown7779

Жыл бұрын

Completely over his head 😮

@evil4d

Жыл бұрын

It refers to both, and Polo is right. When you name a track that, you can expect it to be scrutinised. I like the track, I think the beat is sick, his flow switches are great. But c'mon, he not on the same level as anyone Polo mentioned lyrically. But his overall talent is incredible and I'm a huge fan.

@davidbrown7779

Жыл бұрын

There a different style of flow

@simiangimp2282

Жыл бұрын

​@@ner0p Yup 😂

Bro the title of the song itself is a double entendre. He's a great rapper but when you hold him up to Naz / Em is not fair. He is so much more than a rapper. He can play guitar like Hendrix, he can sing from the depths of his soul. He is oa amazing story teller / actor. He has come out of nowhere and already I'm thinking this could be the most talented musician ever born to this world!!! Check out hi Ren and the tale of Jenny and screech. ❤

@idigthat73

Жыл бұрын

Plays guitar like Hendrix..aww that's cute.

@stambo1983

Жыл бұрын

​@@idigthat73 60's 70's guitar as whole is cute. Comparing eras is stupid

@idigthat73

Жыл бұрын

@Stan Bridge wasn't comparing eras mate, just thought it was cute that James said ren (whom I think is probably the greatest all round artist in modern times) plays guitar like Hendrix.

@cmspilates

Жыл бұрын

He did Jenny and Screech. Sadly didn’t like that either 😕

@aasouthern

Жыл бұрын

@@cmspilates lol really? Maybe this reactor is in the wrong line of work

Yup it did piss me off, because you've boxed in an artist. He is not only a rapper, CLEARY. Illest , meaning ren is actually ill. Autoimmune illnesses Lyme disease etc. It's what I call complex. You simply could have said I DONT GET IT. By listening to lyrics more than just beat and cadence or punchlines. Just say I had preconceived notions and didn't give it a real chance. My honest reaction to yours lol

I meant to watch your reaction, but you manage to discourage me from the start. Although I agree with the analogy that everyone has different taste, I know that when one begins approaching with prejudice, one does themself disservice. The meaning of "ill" is "suffering from an illness or disease or feeling unwell" in every dictionary. Also "badly, wrongly, or imperfectly." Ren finishes with "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find Till then, I guess I’m still the illest of our time." I wish you all the best.

Ive learnt in life, you cant please everyone, so dont even bother trying. Thankfully Ren has the same mindset.

It’s actually quite amusing watching you almost mocking parts when in reality it was because it was going over your head 😂

@jonsavage4254

Жыл бұрын

Facts

@clairederozier42

Жыл бұрын

100% this!

@JaymeSejean

Жыл бұрын

He missed so much 😂 It's incredible how many reaction videos miss all the bits in between the 'simple/fun bits'

@ryanmyers6595

Жыл бұрын

He needs to go watch Knox break down and learn but we all know that wont happen

@rk41gator

Жыл бұрын

Don't think anything 'went over his head'.

Respect that you acknowledge your reaction will annoy people. Shame you didn't have the knowledge of this back catalogue or personal situation to catch the meaning behind this song. Hope it doesn't put you off because he's so far above where you place him right now.

I am 57 lived through every genre, went through hip hop, rap from the beginning, the difference with Ren is he has 10 times the vocabulary of any of the others, and the title references his illness and a double entendre tongue in cheek that he can spit with the best.

@shannonlasell

Жыл бұрын

lol you got a point there i guess.

@arablues4142

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, and what is mob deep's best live reggae performance? And what is Eminem's best acoustic ballad? Ren doesn't have the legacy (yet) to be named in the list of legendary rappers. But compare them as an artist as a whole and it becomes a whole different story

@davidbrown7779

Жыл бұрын

Also agreed I have also followed hip hop. Right back to African Banbata and the soul sonic force, grand master flash , ren can hold his own for sure . But the thing is rapping is just a small part of his talents , the way he puts simple lyrics together is genius basically

@simiangimp2282

Жыл бұрын

Yup. Em actually comes somewhere in the middle for vocabulary, it's all delivery and fake rhyming through vowel pronunciation 😊

@davidbrown7779

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I’ve looked at it from that angle before A haters way of looking but then I thought even if that is the case , putting it together is still genius

Great track - by an independent artist and thinker. Ren’s humour and UK cultural references come to the fore throughout this track. The title isn’t”t to be taken so seriously - it’s obviously a play on both his talent and health. It’s a great dance track don’t sweat it lol…..

@thejollysloth5743

Жыл бұрын

Ren has the typical sardonic, self deprecating and ironic sense of humour and personality that many people from the UK are blessed with. It tends to sometimes go over the heads of Americans. I’m allowed to say this as I’m half American! 😂

His rhymes aren't as good? when he doesn't fill half of it with n- and f- words? SMH you trippin'. He rhymed more words in this than a whole kendric album.

if i was doing reactions for a living i would probably research the artist a little before the first reaction

@jennymachin5532

Жыл бұрын

What was it that NF said on one of his tracks...but at least try to find out who you in the room with....

I agree with previous comments that this song went over your head

I like Polo's reactions quite a bit. That said, he really missed the mark on most of this one. Polo has researched lyrics and plenty of other stuff for other reaction videos, tough he didn't do that before reacting to Ren. I'll react to the reaction; Solid job recognizing change ups in cadence, but ill informed, lacked research that led to an overall poor experience. 2/10 for my guy Polo

@shellyvine44

Жыл бұрын

I know! He didn't read anything. Snd he didn't catch anything. No clockwork orange theme, to Freddy Kruger/Nightmare theme, no questioning your mental capacity when you feel ill and know you're ill but no one believes you so you keep searching for something you don't know. I'm so confused and disappointed with Polo on this one.

@ianobodie2338

Жыл бұрын

Just said this reaction was lazy in another comment before scrolling down. If Polo and other US reactors don't watch BBC stuff on stream it borders on pointless to review UK rappers because so much will be missed. Binging on some Guy Ritchie movies would be a good start, but only a start.

@shellyvine44

Жыл бұрын

@Ian O'Bodie oh I LOVE it! Maybe Lock Stock... then Snatch. Definitely Monty Python (Life of Brian and/or Holy Grail). Maybe some sex Pistols, the Clash? And possibly Jim Jeffries (I know, Aussie, but awesome)... perhaps heckling debauchery of Jimmy Carr? He needs to dip into some old school Punk. Ren weaves some of that badss punk all throughout his music. I visited London in 2001. I left my heart there. I've never experienced that... visiting another country and feeling like I'd finally found my way back home. It was an odd experience for me... and the only time it ever happened. That's besides the point. Polo (in my opinion) felt like he didn't even want to TRY to give Ren a genuine chance. This was a let down. Ren is leaps and bounds above new artists today. Comparing him to (mostly) artists who passed away decades ago is... not what should be happening. Cheers mate!

No matter, the reaction, whether positive or negative, gives our boy Ren exposure. Thanks!!

I always appreciate an honest reaction. I do think that you have to know more about Ren's story to really understand this one, there are lots of references to other songs of his in this one. If you want to really hear him rap, check out "The Hunger." If you want to hear him sing, check out Ren X Chinchilla "Chalk Outlines." In my opinion, Ren is the most talented artist on the scene right now.

@LeeannG

Жыл бұрын

Yeah but he’s reacted to Hi Ren which I think he liked, the big push which he def liked, and Jenny and screech which he 100% did not seem to get or understand. I’ve never seen a single person not understand the structure of the trilogy I just get the impression that he does not want to think very hard about what he’s listening to 🤷🏻‍♀️ which like, okay, but why pick music reactor as a job then lol

It's a double entendre. The whole song is full of them. He has been busting his ass to make it through extreme illness and mental struggles. You can prefer old school all you like, but you can't deny his talent. He quite literally is the sickest artist out there putting out music while in and out of the hospital.

I hate reactors who "fake" liking something so props for that. But I also do feel you are missing the genius of this song, the whole song is one big double entendre which can be read as a story bout him being sick, and the other way about him being gifted. I fee you didn't dissect it enough which is understandable on a first listen. btw I'm 41 and I understand when you reference Em and mob deep. And of course, ren doesn't have the legacy (YET) to be named among those as rapper. But what is mob deep's best live reggae performance? And what is Eminem's best acoustic ballad?

Ren is unreal real brother. I love his art. Message. Talent. Vibe. So much inspiration for so many people! Just wow! This song the first time for me was maybe ok. Since the second time hearing, i cant get enough. 2 days I m listening just this Song I guess... So much drive. Power. Now I really lov it. I m so happy that I found Ren. And I am a excited to find his old work and even more excited what comes next. Stay real brother. Stay real sister

@thejollysloth5743

Жыл бұрын

Ren’s music grows on you the more you listen to it. This is when you know a band or artist has real talent. Bands like Tool, Metallica and Rush are the same. You may like it on the first few listens but it takes many listens over a few months until you understand the greatness of what you are hearing.

@alexlowe8829

Жыл бұрын

@@thejollysloth5743 facts! Tool is qrazy - for me: May be Ren has some inspiration from them too... What I m personaly waiting is when Ren give us his own Reaggy-Ren Vibe...

Critical thinking skills are needed here. He's talking about mental and actual physical illness. 😂

“The beat is not believable” wtf does that mean?! 😂

@vickyterry3150

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

It's a play on words, ILLEST, as in literally sick. Not sick as in good, not ill as in cool, literally as in sick.

I feel like I just witnessed tumbleweed blowing across a the South West desert

Thanks for reaction, love reactors that go against the grain. However, not sure this was a 'bold title' in the way you think. It unfortunately influenced your reaction, since you brought it up multiple times. After learning who Ren is, I found that Illest refers to his sickness. Just a play on words. While I am also a HUGE Harry Mack fan, not sure I'd be banging his music in a 4runner

@jupiter3545

Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't be in a 4 runner!

I have not seen your reactions before. I don't think you understood it. When someone new comes along and upsets the status quo, some people feel threatened and get upset. That is life. From my own honest opinion this is the hardest track from Ren and a little out of his usual lane. Do I love it ? Not as much as most of his other stuff. As everyone else is saying, and as Ren himself has said, the title is NOT about saying he is GOAT, it is him referring to his Lyme Disease and his continuing journey for treatment. Listen to his other stuff and see this track in context

LOL I'm 5:30 into your reaction and you had only caught 2 of the 15 "double-entendres" in the first 60 seconds of the song. I'm not a fan boy but I do take the time to absorb the song, production, lyrics before I come to conclusions. He is one of those artists that forces you to listen multiple times to understand.

You actually just did exactly what you said you wouldn’t do to this video/song... and apparently 99% of the lyrics just flew right over your head. This might be the biggest ooooops reaction I have ever seen... imagine reaction to something and after it’s done... still not get anything that it was about

I reacted to this song as well. I like how you spun it. I came up with Mobb Deep too…old school, GOOD hip hop. I didn’t go into my reaction expecting him to actually be the “illest of our time”. But I def expected the flows. And I wasn’t disappointed. He’s got talent. No doubt! Edit: the title is deceiving. Without context…I’d think the same way you do in general (although I had a blast with this song…it was just fun to me), but he came out and said he didn’t mean “illest” as in the best. So, with that context, it may mean something different. He’s got skill…it was a fun track to me.

Appreciate everyone has an opinion but from someone who grew up on hip hop as well through the many years…you can not like it but don’t suggest it’s because you’re old school…I am from a much older school I promise…Ren is fire and is the future of music. Don’t be a Luddite just to be a contrarian.

@MarkTomblin

Жыл бұрын

"Don’t be a Luddite just to be a contrarian." Well said.

Dude is sick in real life.

You shouldn’t really take umbrage at what other reactors are saying Polo. It felt like this reaction was more a defence of Eminem’s indisputable position atop of Hip Hop’s God Tier. We get it that Ren is a newcomer to you but he isn’t stating he is the illest/greatest rapper of all time. He is cool though. He’s clearly continuing his message of Hi Ren ,Sick Boi and earlier songs relating his journey via analogies and here word-play. The humorous Mary Poppins scheme you sniggered at has a deeper meaning in the context of helping the medicine go down. His Do It Yourself punk aesthetics as solo producer, writer, performer and video creator may also involve his friends nodding their heads slightly out of beat but is that to be scoffed at rather than enjoyed. His cultural, pop cultural and quasi nerdy references are a breath of fresh air to me. As I’m sick of trap beats and rap boasts. I enjoyed this track greatly as a whole - your almost pre judged and affronted reaction less so. Heard Ren speaking today about the positive symbiosis brought about by Reactors and performers. He was in tears on Twitch by the amount of Reactors who had taken the time to listen and react to this track. I hope you did just misunderstand the title as Ren seems to be one of the humblest people around. However he is also justified in acknowledging his indisputable talent through a great track with a fresh beat and linguistically dense rhymes.

@MarkTomblin

Жыл бұрын

Great post.

Illest of our time refers to his illness, he has been sick for years, horrible pain and anguish. This dude is the truth.

Illest of of our time he’s referring to mental health. Also, we have to remember this cat is from Britain.

It's just about his struggle not claiming to better then anyone

MY FRIEND, YOUR REACTION WAS SO SUPERFICIAL. EVERYBODY SHOULD WATCH "RAP CATALOG BY ANTHONY", THAT'S A DEEPER REACTION

You understood one thing and understood it wrong.

I'm curious why you viewed this from the perspective of Ren claiming to be the "illest", as in best, of our time, even though you've reacted to "Hi Ren", so surely understand that a lot of Ren's music, specifically his solo work, plays off and references his over decades long struggles with illness.

confusion by design, parables sublime, context key to unlocking a mind, reflection, introspection, the doors of perception, exposing deception, learning the lesson..... still others remain blind.

I've sat thinking about this reaction for a day now. It's ok if you don't like it. It's ok if you don't want to read up on his history to find more meaning in this song. It's ok if you want to draw your own conclusions based solely on this song. What I have issue with and turns me off from watching you from now own (and up until now, I have always looked forward to your reactions) is the first part where you basically say that he isn't old enough to do what he does and say what he says because why? He he hasn't been IN it long enough? He doesn't sit around and pay tribute to those who come before him? Ummm. Yes he does. But whatever. He's good at almost everything he sets out to do and he's great at a lot of it. And as you probably don't know..he is sick. He has been sick for a very long time and spent most of ten years in his bed. But he still made music. Better music than the majority of people with a label behind them. Dude. What you said. That's the definition of "gatekeeping". I have had issues describing this behavior to people in the gaming community but now I can just point to this reaction and say.."there ya go. Gatekeeping at its finest". And weren't you the one who gave Ren an accolade about his busking video when he ended with Hip Hop by Dead Prez? Saying a lot of "old hip hop heads don't even know that song?" It's cool if your fans disagree. It's cool if all I get is thumbs down. Because really, I don't give a shit. I'll be over with the crowd who accepts the new and has constructive criticism other than "Dude hasn't paid his dues yet or acknowledged Eminem". Newsflash. He has. On multiple occasions as well as other musicians. That's all the energy I'm going to spend on you. Obviously, you don't give a shit about it and that's ok. Haters gonna hate. Just stop gatekeeping. It's a very bad look. Onscreen or off. Edited for typos.

@lindseybriggs2771

Жыл бұрын

I've also really enjoyed this reactor in the past and share your feelings about this specific reaction. Not asking to troll but bc I'm a 44 year old single mom, old school music obsessive, only engaging with KZread bc of Ren specifically: what is gatekeeping in this context? Just intellectually curious! Thanks!

@lilymcallister9751

Жыл бұрын

@@lindseybriggs2771 For me, the gatekeeping vibe hit me quickly with two opinions this reactor stated in the intro piece. The first was when he said he was just "old" and had to go look for his hip hop music on "cds and cassettes". Big red flag straight out of the gate. Like Ren isn't allowed to say "illest of our time" (never mind the completely missed messages regarding the word ILL in this track). Like Ren hasn't paid enough dues to use this word...all the hallmarks of gatekeeping the word, and in turn holding the gate shut to who is allowed and who isn't. Like all artists aren't basing their art on people who came before them..art begets art. It happens in almost every art form and hobby. *You can't claim to be a DnDer because you play 5e and didn't play 2nd addition in the 80s. *You can't be a claim to be a souls gamer because you use "summons" in Elden Ring and true souls gamers would NEVER use help. *You can't be a goth music fan because you don't listen to Siouxie and the Banshees or Bauhaus and only like The Cure. *You can't be a scifi nerd because you haven't read all of William Gibson or Isamov and only read newer authors. Etc. And two, the statement gave me the i'M nOt lIKe OtHeR ReAcToRs" shudders. The sense that this dude thinks he is SO much better than the other reactors who "like " the tract. I get the sense he was internally saying they are sheep. But not him. Nooo, because he knows better and has been around longer. Never mind these reactors who are rappers and older, like Black Pegasus, who break down this tract and respect Ren for doing it. They also understand what Ren was going for in using this word. But all in all, they aren't holding the gate closed to "newer" hip hop rappers like Ren and NF. In fact, I keep hearing that Ren and NF inspires them in their own music. To me, if you have to say this stuff in an intro to a reaction, something is wrong. You can just say, "not for me" and pass or don't say anything. But nope. Got to tell everyone you know more about it because you've been a TrUe fAn longer. Sorry for the novel. I've encountered gatekeepers SO much. If people want to jump on this reactor's bandwagon, cool. In a few years, they might get it. Then again, I don't care if they do or don't. I wouldn't have come back except for your question. I hope my take on this makes sense. And it is just my take. I'm one voice, one opinion. But I will speak out when I see people trying to hold others down. And that's what I saw here.

@lindseybriggs2771

Жыл бұрын

@@lilymcallister9751 that all makes total sense! Thanks for the explanation! I see what you mean. I am into hardcore music actually and I see it there quite a lot as well with bands like Turnstile. they're not respected bc they're not "really" hardcore and they didn't come up in the scene. Meanwhile tons of bands are going on reunion tours right now just because turnstile made hardcore popular again... Will say that my son has recently gotten into magic the gathering though and I've been heartened by the number of people in that community who have been very receptive to him as a young kid wanting to get into it and willing to teach him without being jerks about it. :) But those were really good points and I appreciate the explanation. It's sort of like gaslighting but instead about liking new stuff just because it isn't old.

@lilymcallister9751

Жыл бұрын

​@@lindseybriggs2771 Cool! I used to play MtG in college and loved it. I'm glad your son is finding the community good to him. It was always a welcoming one from what I remember. I was leery because I had bad experiences as a female in gaming be it video or ttrpgs but MtG was a breath of fresh air!

@RosieO-dd7og

Жыл бұрын

I’m on your trip bro. I know old school Hip Hop cause I grew up in the 80’s & I know this is a tune. Frankly Polo made himself look like a d*ck. End of…

Mary Poppins - 🎶🎶A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down 🎶🎶

REN's own words refuting your interpretation of the title: Overhwlemed by the amount of support for illest Of Our Time. Have been loving watching all the reaction videos and hearing everyone's interpretation. I never usually break down my own words because I love letting people apply their own meaning, but there was one line I wanted to explain. The title of the song. Alot of people took this to mean "The greatest Of Our Time" "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find, Till then I guess I'm still the illest of our time" Its my reluctance to be the illest - the clue is in the word 'guess' - ive spent the better part of a decade looking for solutions to the damage lyme disease dealt with countless doctors visits, and am still in that boat. "Illest" can also mean "dopest" "best" etc. So it's a bit of a double entendre. Same as "Sick boi" This theme is repeated with the line "elementary dear Watson you might find" cause Sherlock Holmes was always searching for the clues to piece the puzzle together, which is very relatable when trying to piece together parts of a very complex health picture, anyone with a very complex illness will relate to almost having to become your own detective. And finally "A pathologic entity - if eveything is set in stone then this is how its meant to be" Acceptance that this might just be the cards I've been dealt. To search for answers and simultaneously accept that chronic illnest may be your fate is a bit of a paradox because it is the rejection of acceptance that spurs you forward in the persuit of answers, but it is the acceptance that you may always be sick that let's you lead a more peaceful life... so one must walk this contradictory line between both opposing states to have the motivation to find the answers whilst not being so outcome dependent. Still haven't mastered this, but think it's an interesting concept

@SB-pl8fc

Жыл бұрын

Beautiful. Where did he say this?

@gcarap

Жыл бұрын

@@SB-pl8fcI copied from a reaction video Ren commented on.

Him not spitting fast after saying he could was a flex. He says, "I spit fast like I'm nascar, don't believe me? Then f**k ya." Because everyone else would do that. Basically, that line was written BRFU. 😂

Aw, man, what a hole to be in. I guess I can’t blame someone for not digging Ren if they’re unable to understand any of the bars. Knox caught a lot of it on the first pass in his reaction, so check that, but first you need a 101 before you get to the sophomore classes. I was legit looking forward to some intelligent criticism when future you commented about how past you had some great insight about this track that no other reactor would offer... It turned out you were fantasizing about...Kendrick...and pens paid for by music execs after passing the SMRAA test. (Soccer Mom Rap Association of America, for those unfamiliar) To quote the SMRAA: Ew, so cringe.

@ner0p

Жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣

Polo was too annoyed about the title, made his mind up based on that

As a big TOOL fan that loves your channel, growing up listening to TOOL everyday since I was 16 just makes you think. Not sure if you gave it a chance. You missed a ton of context jumping right into this one. It is great watching people get into the music you have always loved. I never have really liked much rap, but Ren has actually given me a second chance at that. It will be interesting once you get into the darker TOOL discography. Try doing disgustipated someday. Doubt you will like that one either but hey life is funny.

Your playlist appears full no room for newcomers but doing a Ren reaction is smart lots of views and helps your algorithm

The lyricism is very solid but they went over your head ngl. You caught a bar or 2 though. And like some other comments pointed out you didn't catch the point of the title. Nearly everything is a double or a reference and the title is no exception.

"Merry" like Poppins = "Overly Happy" like Mary Poppins. Overly happy = "Manic". Manic is the crazy high characteristic of someone that has "manic depressive disorder". It used to be called manic depressive disorder but these days it's called Bipolar Disorder. In real life he's been diagnosed with that and a host of other things. He totally raps about his personal life in this song.

@markorton5462

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! This is why I read so many comments and watch so many reactions to Ren's work, because there is just so much to unpack and I don't always get it first time. A prime example is the "victims and students" line in his monologue at the end of Hi Ren, took me a while to get that. I honestly think Ren is a 21st Century Shelley, or to put it another way, if Shelley had been born in 1990 he would be doing what Ren is doing now. As for this particular reactor, not only is he a classic gatekeeper, but the words "Dunning-Kruger effect" definitely come to mind.

This seemed like it was contrarian just for the sake of being different. Totally missed the mark on this one and looked at it from the narrowest of views. Knowing thats his reaction style I will pass moving forward. I am sure ppl will love a superficial reaction, but I’m not one of them. Best of luck.

Mate, your missing so many of the dble/triple meanings!!!! From the get go, even the title “Illest of our Time”, is a big reference to his illness, which he has been battling for over a decade! Maybe just not your bag! That’s cool. Maybe try the softer core stuff, like “ Chalk Lines”, Money Game, parts 1&2, “Genesis”, you strike me as a R&B guy. I have followed hip hop for almost 40 years. Newsflash, America is no longer the centre of hip hop!!

There are a lot of mixed comments on here. But I think for us Ren fans, many of us are not rap fans. Personally I can't stand it. With exception of a few! But Ren has a very different style and we can listen to Ren rap all day long because it is so far removed from from the mainstream. He has brought rap to an audience that hasn't enjoyed it before. So I understand why die-hard rap fans particularly American rap fans don't get this or enjoy it. I would urge you to look at his non rap tracks to see his talents with singing, guitars, reggae and other genreless tracks to understand the extent of his talents. We can't all enjoy the same things. I'm not an NF or Tom Macdonald, or hopsin or another 'big' rap artist fan at all. And I'm sure fans of these may not be fans of Ren either. That's what makes us interesting.

@davidmarcus5833

Жыл бұрын

In the 80s the music industry got 40 of the top rappers at the time into a room and told them this is the filth we want you to rap about now, if you do this is what rewards you will get, if you do not want to you are free to leave, 4 people walked out of the 40.

@tinaboksa3642

Жыл бұрын

I'm American and illest of my family. I completely get Ren and I know you weren't making it about Americans. Do the Ren fans have a name like Tom fans are H.O.G.? Much ❤️

@bornsick5150

Жыл бұрын

I’m a hop hop head. I love music tho. All music and I can clearly see or hear that this song is straight fire and polo just didn’t comprehend the meaning of this title nor did he catch a lot of references that ten made and that’s fine. I just didn’t think a person claiming to be a hip hop head can fumble a reaction like this. If people that don’t like rap understand this type of genius then someone that says they like hip hop should understand as well

@noorieiversen

Жыл бұрын

​@@tinaboksa3642 The REN-egades, The Ren-olution- the Ren- aissance... we love this revolutionary rebel.

@tinaboksa3642

Жыл бұрын

@@noorieiversen Thanks for letting me know

It's not what Ren means by 'illest of our time' it's self deprecating he's a very humble guy.

How silly to call people who have a different opinion than you sensitive IN ADVANCE.

As everyone is pointing out you have to know Rens back story and know Ren to realise he is the most Humble Human Being you will ever meet, look up the clips on KZread of him reacting to reactions to his new Song, the title “illest of or time” is a play on words about his illness, as always Ren almost mocking himself, this Song is a hard listen I personally think so i understand if people don’t like it, but Ren said himself it’s different to anything he’s ever done and deliberately didn’t write it to any Formula, always appreciate you Honesty.

I lived through the golden era too and can easily admit that this is top tier lyricism and i instantly knew that the title was a nod to his illness but also a cheeky double entendre.Which he confirmed in a tweet. Not to mention the multiple bars and metaphors about both.🤷‍♂️ To each his own on their opinion, but I gotta say... your reaction style seems filtered through a gatekeepers nostalgic mind (like most of my friends) instead of actually experiencing it fully. Not the most engaging reactor i watch but hey.... carve your lane man.

@lindseybriggs2771

Жыл бұрын

Asking a second person who used the word gatekeeping just because I actually intellectually want to know and I'm old and out of touch. I love Ren and while this song is not my favorite I still thought it was lyrically brilliant and awesome. It's not the one I would play repeatedly to myself but it still is consistent with his overall musical genius. What does gatekeeping mean in this context? I'm sorry for being unfamiliar with the term! I'm just really curious.

@Pandy0420

Жыл бұрын

@@lindseybriggs2771 I can't speak for the original commenter here, but generally speaking "gatekeeping" is when people who are a part of a community, a fan of something, etc. reject things that are new, different, newcomers to a community, new fans, etc. The term gatekeeping is intended to cast those people as standing watch at the gates of the fandom and keeping out anyone or anything they don't deem worthy based on their views of what something or someone should be. Often times I see this play out as a battle of traditionalism versus modernism or a rejection of "normies" engaging with a subculture. In this sense I think the original commenter meant that Polo may have been biased against or disregarded the song because it has elements that are different from the more "traditional" (for lack of a better word) rap and hip hop of the past.

Illest of our time isn't a brag, it's a play on that meaning, but he's actually referencing his struggles with illness. That's why he ends it with "seeking for answers that I never seem to find, I guess that means I'm the illest of our time" because he's been looking for answers to his medical and mental health issues. The way he says "I guess" has a sound of regret. You kind of just missed everything tbh. All went over your head a bit. Since you've seen HI Ren, you should know he deals with multiple forms of illness, mental, autoimmune and lyme disease, so there is no excuse to be so oblivious. You get on a high horse about his beat and production, which is way better than some of the people you mentioned, but the hard pill for you to swallow is that most if not all of them have someone else produce the track, while Ren does it all himself. He is leagues ahead of any of them in musical talent, even if he isn't at their level as a rapper (yet). He's also still very young. For someone who has been into hip hop and rap for so long, you would think you would be at least decent at analyzing rap bars by now. And if you wanna be a reactor, maybe you should do some very basic research, like maybe read what the artist said when they dropped the track. 0/10. 😂

Hope you didnt lose a lot of followers for going out of your way to put down Ren thinking he was meaning something he def wasnt but was really a great title to go with his story... he even prefaced before the day before that he was doing something out of the box.... React to Genesis, would like to see your opinion on that one.

Never have a problem with honest reaction. Knowing REN’s backstory would help you appreciate it more but hey - if you don’t like it you don’t like it. Nothing wrong with that. Cheers mate.

I think the ‘Illest’ has a double meaning. One for his health history and the other for his collective yet relatively unknown works. If you want to judge his rap prowess, then check out “Losing It”, “The Hunger”, “Genesis”, “What You Want”, “Right Here, Right Now”, “Power” and “Life is Funny”. After that, if you still feel the same way, then so be it. Like you said, we all have different styles that move us.

its about his illness! (illest!)

Have you listened to the song since you learned about Ren literally being sick? It's actually quite sad how resigned Ren is from searching for (medical) answers & not finding them (i.e. the last lines: "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find / Till then I guess I'm still the illest of our time". It's quite clear what Ren means from the beginning of the song that he's as sick as a dog: "I'm a sick little puppy who gets lucky when he speaks" to the end of the song where he says he has noodles in his head (from brain damage): "I don't feel so well / Call a medic for myself / I don't feel so hot my brother / Aching, shaking, stop then stutter / Things gone wrong / Hit by king king kong / A Swan-ton bomb like Hardy Brothers / I don't feel so fresh my bro / Things get slurry speaking slow / Head in Hong Kong wonton soup / Is what I have for Brains I know / That I want to spread these tattered wings hold them high / Banished from the heavens but I'm knocking on the sky". He certainly brags a bit (hip-hop style) in the song, but to me, in the end he's humble and worried what will happen in death. If you haven't listened with the lyrics, you might want to take another go.

I would recommend you read the description and response that Ren has posted on the song. It would help explain.

I am always here for an honest reaction. I do feel that this reaction was missing something. Like, a lack of openness based on how you felt before the song even started just from the title? Not sure. Either way have a good day 👍💜

It amazes me that a “hip hop head” like yourself constantly has reactions where bars and overall song meaning FLIES over your head

His music isn't for everyone and that's ok. From what I've seen so far he raps on unusual beats, which is dope in my opinion but could be hit or miss for hip hop heads. "Illest of our time" is a double cause he has Lyme disease and has struggled with his mental health while also being the most multi-talented artist seen in quite some time! His skills are legit crazy! ❤️‍🔥 He deserves all the hype he's getting! 💯

@thejollysloth5743

Жыл бұрын

It’s actually a triple because it also relates to REN’s ability to use his artistry to touch people’s souls, to open himself up to people in a way other rappers/singers don’t, and reflects the layers of his music, and different genres he can bend into his own genre. i don’t think he is seriously calling himself the best rapper out there, but how many others make their own beats, can sing like an Angel, play so many instruments, be so vulnerable in their artistry? None. So I see illest as meaning so much more than either the best rapper or the physical illnesses he has gone through (and the mental illnesses). He’s created a whole new genre of music (he calls “Bard-core”).

I’m confused You mentioned you reacted to other songs from Ren, yet you still not aware of his illness. Hence the amount of comments correcting you OR that’s your point and trolling everyone to get comments. 🤔 😂

This has gone over your head. Research his situation this song title is a double entendre. It's better than all those names you mentioned. They're just rappers. Not musicians or singers. Ren taking rap to a new level. Different beats that he produces by the way. Don't get stuck in the past.

You should also judge on the actual meaning of why he said it.

I rarely comment, let me say you such a jumpy-stick-to-it reactor, you formulate an opinion within seconds yes SECONDS you always do this and just TRY YOUR HARDEST to prove your opinion, that you made in seconds is right, you have done it in your last HM reaction… and the problem is let me say this The way knox and others at level of knox broke it down shows who is the hip-hop head and wanna-be hip-hop head

@agapic445

Жыл бұрын

You dropped it for views but you knew recording justification might be a good idea to save your reputation 🤡

@mikegriffen4934

Жыл бұрын

Yep. Exactly why I'm not subbed

@agapic445

Жыл бұрын

@@mikegriffen4934 it’s like funny to me he calls himself a hip-hop head and he doesn’t know self-praising is the language of rap, EVEN harry mack said it multiple times, Eminem said it in his last interview…. Like imagine i ruin a whole song to me, ignore (rhyme schemes, double entendres, doubles, smoothness of beat switch, punchlines, flows, cadences) ruin all this because i was so laser guided on the name of the song, and made a comparison he did NOT had to do it

Ren featuring MollyMckenna penitence. Truly haunting and beautiful 😊

I think illest refers to his lyme disease and not getting answers and not knowing if he'll ever truly be okay. When I first saw it, I felt like it was a little too dark for me, but I watched a few reactions and don't feel that way anymore. He's always got some kind of message.

@wastefulungratfuls

Жыл бұрын

Hes recorded two albums to release while he's in canada... One is dark and the other light... I think hes recorded music to illustrate his experience of living within the swinging pendulum of his mind... This is the dark side of Rens mind dealing with all the negativity of Lymes Disease and the brain damage caused by the decade of misdiagnosis... I suspect the light album is going to be breath taking... ❤️🇬🇧❤️

@ocnwspr

Жыл бұрын

@@wastefulungratfuls I suspect you're right, his depth is beautiful.

He is the illest not necessarily this song. Nobody is as versatile or as imaginative as him. You can compare certain songs to certain artists but those artists only cover their genre not every genre including composing theater. He maybe as well known as Shakespeare in 200 years but Eminem probably wont be

@lizzyfletcher3175

Жыл бұрын

I love ‘Em and I Love this comment soooo sooo true!

I see you've removed the sarcastic comment you left earlier Mr Polo🤔

Tell me your a boxed in hip hop fan without telling me. Gatekeepers at its core. ILLEST of our time doesn't mean literally he's goated its the Illness he actually has physically and mentally. Know someone's back story before u judge and the song would make sense.

The fact that half the bars went over your head 😂

Ren would never actually call himself the illest of our Time ( other then a reference to himself being sick=ill)

This is about Lyme Disease he wants to cure it. He didn't say he is the greatest he said he is the Illest hear it from Ren himself posted by Ren on his community page: "Overhwlemed by the amount of support for illest Of Our Time. Have been loving watching all the reaction videos and hearing everyone's interpretation. I never usually break down my own words because I love letting people apply their own meaning, but there was one line I wanted to explain. The title of the song. Alot of people took this to mean "The greatest Of Our Time" "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find, Till then I guess I'm still the illest of our time" Its my reluctance to be the illest - the clue is in the word 'guess' - ive spent the better part of a decade looking for solutions to the damage lyme disease dealt with countless doctors visits, and am still in that boat. "Illest" can also mean "dopest" "best" etc. So it's a bit of a double entendre. Same as "Sick boi" This theme is repeated with the line "elementary dear Watson you might find" cause Sherlock Holmes was always searching for the clues to piece the puzzle together, which is very relatable when trying to piece together parts of a very complex health picture, anyone with a very complex illness will relate to almost having to become your own detective. And finally "A pathologic entity - if everything is set in stone then this is how its meant to be" Acceptance that this might just be the cards I've been dealt." Posted by Ren on his Community Page

Lol. This guy.

He wrote, mixed, performed & produced this at home. His mates filmed it with him in a squat in Brighton where they got into some tricky situations with the folk that lived there… He’s got no record label, no backing, no big bucks behind him. He’s a completely independent artist doing this by himself. With a chronic illness. The fact you even compare him to Eminem & JayZ just shows the level of his talent. Maybe it’s just to cerebral for you?

You came in hatin' off the bat. Damn. I liked all your H Mack reactions but you're only hater I've seen on this so far. He's talking about his actual illness (Lyme disease). It's a double. Rough stuff 😬

I think you misunderstood the title. I believe that he means his illness and the fact that we as a society is the ills of our time.

Peace out! ✌️

Long story short Ren was misdiagnosed for many years before they figured out he had Lyme disease. Lyme disease untreated affects the body joints with much pain, the brain and can cause mental illness. So many of his songs reference this struggle he has had to endure. So as many have already said the title of this song is referencing this

Wait where did that pinned comment go or is it just me that can’t see it anymore? Don’t say you bottled it and deleted it please I’m hoping it reappears

@alexanderzadoroznyj

Жыл бұрын

Seems like he trashed it. And, imho, good. That pinned comment was a horrendous take that I’m sure was made due to being in the feels over some of the backlash.

Got no problem with it. You straight up say you like the song right during the very first listen. Just feels you got too hung up in your expectations because of your personal interpretation of the title meaning rather than the understanding of his fight and plight with years of misdiagnosis and mental illness. Also find it funny to hear a guy talk about how hard(hood rat) some of the black rappers you referenced are but a white boy on the edge dealing with literal hallucinagetic psychosis is no way possibly hard for real. 🤣🤦🏿‍♂

He’s talking about seeking the answers to his medical and psychological problems that he cannot find hence till he finds thief answers he feels like he is the illest of our time! How on earth did you miss this you seem to have prejudged the track based on the title and viewed it with a closed mind! Maybe try watching it again on your own time and this time remain open to the alternate meaning of the word illest. Also the video was filmed in a homeless shelter abandoned building and the extras weren’t 1000 dollar a day extras like in bad but unpaid homeless along for the ride the fight sequence is a regular occurrence at the shelter it is a slice of life in the underbelly.

"Illist" obviously refers to his ill-health not his oeuvre; he is looking for answers that will make him *not* the illest. "Look for all the answers that I never seem to find Till then, I guess I’m still the illest of our time"

The title is a play on his health issues....what other rappers do you know that have had his illness history?

Man appreciate the song for what it is. Review each song individually cause that’s what they are individual pieces of work. You don’t need to get offended cause you don’t think better than your favorite artists. I don’t think the point was to say he’s the illest was a play on his illness. Music subjective can’t go in with a mind set of if it’s not the best ever it’s trash. Not the best ever but I appreciate the lyrics and the flow switch ups.