Ren's UK number one album

 News 

Welsh rapper and Bath Spa graduate Ren clinches UK number one album

Bath Spa University BA (Hons) Commercial Music graduate Ren has defied odds to claim the number one spot in the UK album charts after fending off tough competition from Rick Astley and Drake. 

Thirty-three-year-old Ren, whose full name is Ren Erin Gill, was originally born in Bangor, Gwynedd in North-West Wales, before moving to the island of Anglesey, just off the coast of North Wales. He then went on to study at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park Campus, honing his skills as a budding songwriter, musician, producer, and rapper.  

However, Ren’s journey to the top with his self- written and produced album, Sick Boi, has not been easy and its tracks share a candid description of his battle with chronic illnesses that had previously forced him to quit the music scene altogether. 

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales’ Huw Stephens, Ren said:

“For years and years, I was so sick, I couldn't get out of bed. I kept bouncing around doctors. They'd tell me I was depressed but I knew in my gut it wasn't that, because there was so much physical pain, there was so much neurological problems.” 

Eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease, Ren needed a stem cell transplant which improved his health, but the illness has left him with ongoing autoimmune conditions. As a result, he is currently undergoing treatment in Canada that requires him to receive IV medication five days a week. Inspiringly, his own number one album has spurred him on, and he described it as "a victory over my illness". 

Speaking to BBC News, he continued:

"We tuned into Radio 1 and have just heard the news that Sick Boi is number one. I am buzzing! This is the best moment of my life! Want to say a huge thank you to the community, couldn't have been done without them. This feels incredible, it's so affirming." 

Ren's community of fans includes Hollywood actor and film producer, Tom Hardy, who commented on the momentous moment via Ren’s Instagram account:

“Well done Brother - this is great news and so well deserved. A private, personal and professional triumph. Lovely to witness this moment; made me smile a lot. Congratulations - you are a custodian and able commander of such a massive creative talent - a force to be reckoned with.” 

Making music has always been what Ren loves most and it is a constant passion that has remained throughout his journey. While at Bath Spa, surrounded by a strong cohort of classmates, he busked on the city’s streets which are famous for shining a spotlight on talented performers, and it was through his studies that he formed the indie hip-hop duo, Trick The Fox, with fellow student and now musical director and bass player, Charlie Fowler. 

Chris Blanden, Senior Lecturer in Commercial Music at Bath Spa University’s Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, fondly recalls teaching Ren. He said:

"It's so exciting to see Ren doing this well. He always knew what music he wanted to make and despite all of the serious challenges and obstacles that life has thrown at him, he has just never stopped working on the music he believed in. And now look what's happened." 

You can listen to Ren’s songs on his YouTube channel where he has amassed a following of more than 1.16million.

To find out more, you can also follow Ren on Instagram @renmakesmusic and visit his website www.renmakesmusic.co.uk.