MC Ren facts for kids

Quick facts for kids MC Ren
MC Ren in 1990
Born	Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (1969-06-16) June 16, 1969 (age 56) Compton, California, U.S.
Other names	Villain Ruthless Villain The Villain in Black Rebel Villain Nation Villain
Occupation	Rapper record producer songwriter
Years active	1987–present
Spouse(s)	Yaasamen Alaa ​ (m. 1993)​
Children	5
Musical career
Genres	West Coast hip hop gangsta rap political hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Ruthless Priority Relativity Epic Villain
Associated acts	N.W.A The D.O.C. Nate Dogg Dr. Dre Snoop Dogg Ice Cube Eazy-E Public Enemy CPO RBX 8Ball & MJG

Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (born June 16, 1969), who is better known by his stage name MC Ren, is an American rapper, songwriter, and music producer from Compton, California. He is also the founder of his own record label, Villain Entertainment.

MC Ren started his music career in 1987. He signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records while he was still in high school. Soon after, he became a member of the famous rap group N.W.A. He wrote many of the group's songs and recorded two albums and one EP with them.

After N.W.A broke up in 1991, Ren continued as a solo artist with Ruthless Records. He released three solo albums before leaving the label in 1998.

In 2016, MC Ren and the other members of N.W.A were welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, they also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for their impact on music.

Early Life

Lorenzo Jerald Patterson was born in Compton, California, on June 16, 1969. He grew up with his parents, two brothers, and a sister. His father worked for the government before opening his own barber shop.

As a teenager, Patterson got involved with a local street group to make money. He soon left the group and decided to focus on making music instead.

Patterson went to Dominguez High School, where he met his friend and future music partner, DJ Train. He became very interested in hip hop and started writing rap songs with his friend MC Chip. They formed a group called Awesome Crew and performed at local parties.

In 1985, he started working seriously on music with his childhood friend, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright. After graduating high school in 1987, Patterson planned to join the U.S. Army. He changed his mind after seeing the 1987 movie Full Metal Jacket.

Music Career

N.W.A and Early Success (1987–1991)

In 1987, while still in high school, MC Ren signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. When fellow N.W.A member Ice Cube left for college for a year, Ren was asked to write songs for Eazy-E's album, Eazy-Duz-It. After writing and rapping on much of the album, Ren officially joined N.W.A in the summer of 1988.

The group began working on their first album, Straight Outta Compton. It was made in only four weeks with a budget of $8,000. The album was a huge success, even without much radio play. One of its songs was so controversial that the FBI sent a warning letter to the record label.

After Ice Cube left N.W.A in 1989, the group released an EP called 100 Miles and Runnin'. MC Ren wrote most of the lyrics. The group's second album, ...4Life, came out the next year. It sold over 955,000 copies in its first week and became the first rap album to reach #1 on the Billboard charts.

This was N.W.A's last album. Dr. Dre left the group because of disagreements over money with their manager, Jerry Heller. The members felt they were not being paid fairly for their hard work.

Going Solo (1992–Present)

After N.W.A disbanded, MC Ren began working on his first solo project, an EP titled Kizz My Black Azz. It was released in the summer of 1992 and was a big hit with both fans and critics. The EP sold so well that it went Platinum in just two months.

In late 1992, Ren started recording his first full album. During this time, he joined the Nation of Islam. His new beliefs inspired him to change his album's direction. The album, Shock of the Hour, was released in 1993. It was divided into two parts. The first half talked about social problems, while the second half focused on his new political and religious views.

In 1994, Ren reunited with Eazy-E to record the song "Tha Muthpukkin' Real." Sadly, just three months later, on March 26, 1995, Eazy-E passed away from complications of AIDS.

Ren's next album, The Villain in Black (1996), had a different sound that was not as popular with critics. Before leaving Ruthless Records, he released one more album, Ruthless for Life (1998), which featured artists like Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg.

In 2009, Ren released his fourth album, Renincarnated, on his own record label, Villain Entertainment. He later released a new EP called Osiris on June 3, 2022.

Collaborations and Other Work

Throughout his career, MC Ren has worked with many other artists. He was a key writer on Eazy-E's album Eazy-Duz-It and appeared on albums by The D.O.C. and Above the Law.

In 1990, he produced an album for his group, CPO, called To Hell and Black. He also worked with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on the song "Hello" in 2000 and joined them on the Up in Smoke Tour that same year.

In April 2016, MC Ren performed with the other members of N.W.A at the Coachella music festival.

Film and Television

In 1992, MC Ren was offered a role in the movie Menace II Society but decided not to take it. In 2004, he wrote, directed, and starred in his own movie called Lost in the Game.

The story of N.W.A was told in the 2015 movie Straight Outta Compton. In the film, MC Ren was played by actor Aldis Hodge.

Personal Life

MC Ren married Yaasamen Alaa in June 1993. They have five children together. His oldest son, Anthony, is also a rapper who goes by the name "Waxxie."

In 1993, Ren became a member of the Nation of Islam. Two years later, he left the organization and converted to Sunni Islam.

Artistry and Legacy

MC Ren has said that his biggest musical influences are artists like KRS-One, Chuck D, and Rakim. He is known for his powerful storytelling and lyrics that often discuss social and political issues.

As a member of N.W.A, MC Ren helped change the direction of hip hop music. The group's success opened doors for many other West Coast artists. For his contributions, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

Discography

Logo used by MC Ren since 2009

Studio albums

• Shock of the Hour (1993)
• The Villain in Black (1996)
• Ruthless for Life (1998)
• Renincarnated (2009)

Albums with N.W.A

• Straight Outta Compton (1989)
• 100 Miles and Runnin' (1990)
• ...4Life (1991)

Extended plays (EPs)

• Kizz My Black Azz (1992)
• Osiris (2022)

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

Other

• The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Member Of N.W.A. 2016

See also

In Spanish: MC Ren para niños