Author Topic: Favorite MC Ren project (after N.W.A)? (Read 3380 times)

phatj · « **Reply #45 on:** July 25, 2026, 08:59:43 AM »

The Villain In Black - Mind Blown

Mat · « **Reply #46 on:** July 26, 2026, 03:25:51 AM »

Kizz My Black Azz & Shock of the Hour

Krull2025 · « **Reply #47 on:** July 26, 2026, 09:56:27 PM »

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DJ Speed featuring MC Ren - Super West Coast (unreleased) NO audio
Taken from "DJ Speed presents Tha Mastapiece" coming 2015.
https://www.instagram.com/djspeednwa/p/DbPYdzbvQuw/

Don't believe I've heard about this project before, anyone got more info about the project?

The Predator · « **Reply #48 on:** July 30, 2026, 04:16:28 AM »

This was sick...everything beat, bass, keys, melody all perfect -

Khaild Muhammad's speech was itself chilling.

I wished there was just an instrumental version of this too, Cold 187um's finest.

I always hum along to it, this the kinda dark G-Funk i love.

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MC Ren's sophomore album, The Villain in Black, is the record that quietly but convincingly cements his place as the most underrated voice to emerge from N.W.A. Long overshadowed by the commercial peaks of Dre, Cube, and Eazy, Ren steps fully into his own here, delivering a focused and formidable showcase of his skills. Arriving three years after Shock of the Hour, the album reflects a period of personal change shaped by his conversion to Islam and the loss of his mentor, DJ Train. Those experiences deepen the writing, as street-level realism intertwines with political awareness and philosophical weight, all set against a cleaner, more refined G-Funk backdrop.

The opening track, "Bitch Made Nigga Killa," establishes a cold, ominous mood through subterranean bass, sharp West Coast drums, and eerie synth lines. From there, songs like "Keep It Real" and "It's Like That" strike a balance between classic G-Funk swing and the raw aggression Ren honed in his N.W.A days. Where his debut leaned heavily into horrorcore aesthetics, this album favors more traditional Hip Hop structures without sacrificing its sense of menace. That darker edge still surfaces on tracks like "Mad Scientist" and "Live From Compton ‘Saturday Night.'"

Ren's performance is consistently sharp and versatile. He shifts comfortably from braggadocious confidence on "Mind Blown" to apocalyptic intensity on "Bring It On," while tracks such as "Muhammad Speaks" weave in socio-political commentary and Nation of Islam influences. The production complements this range, pairing ribcage-rattling low end with melodic guitar touches. Guest appearances from Above the Law, Bigg Rocc, and Triggerman add texture without pulling focus.

Though a few moments lean toward familiar bravado, the album's pacing forms a cohesive arc from hostility to reflection. The Villain in Black builds on Ren's strengths with sharper writing, richer production, and greater thematic depth, making it an essential listen for fans of West Coast rap and N.W.A's deeper cuts.

The female singing vocals on TVIB was by Trski of G.B.M.

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R.i.P DJ Train

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK--OCTOBER 30: DJ Train (aka Clarence Lars) performs when Rapper MC Ren (aka Lorenzo Jerald Patterson) of N.W.A. performs at The Apollo Theater on October 30, 1992 in New York City.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK--OCTOBER 29: Rapper MC Ren (aka Lorenzo Jerald Patterson) of N.W.A. and DJ Train (aka Clarence Lars) appear in a portrait taken in Times Square on October 29, 1992 in New York City.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK--OCTOBER 30: Rapper MC Ren (aka Lorenzo Jerald Patterson) of N.W.A. performs at The Apollo Theater on October 30, 1992 in New York City.