Ren

Ren usually refers to Ren Gill, a singer, songwriter, producer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist based in Brighton. He starts out busking before signing with Sony Records in 2010, but he is dropped in the same year after developing a mysterious illness that is later diagnosed as Lyme disease.

Career

He self-releases his debut album, Freckled Angels, in 2016 as part of an effort to raise awareness of his illness. From 2019 to 2022, he is also a member of The Big Push. His self-released videos, often made as solo performances filmed in one take, attract notable attention online. The track “Hi Ren”, which deals with mental and physical illness, gains 5.85 million YouTube views within two months of release.

Later recognition

In 2023, he reaches number one in the UK album chart with Sick Boi.

Other artist with the same name

There are several other performers using the name Ren, including a Tokyo-born singer-songwriter called ReN, a Canadian singer-songwriter, a Japanese rapper and singer, an arranger and composer involved in the Touhou doujin music scene, a South Korean member of NU'EST, and an indie singer who later performs as Lydia Crown.

Radio

He is also a DJ on Solid Steel Radio Show.