Editing MC Ren (section)

==Music career==
===Career beginnings: 1987–1991===
In 1987, Patterson was signed as a solo artist to [[Eazy-E]]'s [[Ruthless Records]], while still attending high school. However, when [[Ice Cube]] went to study for a year, Ren was asked to write songs for the in-progress ''[[Eazy-Duz-It]]''. After writing much of the album, MC Ren was asked to join the group N.W.A. They immediately started on the album ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]''. With a budget of US$8,000, the album was finished in four weeks and released in January 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=N.W.A&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Ice Cube Talks About The Making of Eazy-E's "E... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/rob-kenner/ice-cube-interview-easy-e |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox52unse_43/page/10/mode/2up?q=%22straight+outta+compton%22 |title=Cash Box |date=1989-05-27 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co. |others=William and Mary Libraries Special Collections Research Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ice Cube -Interview |url=http://www.bombhiphop.com/newbomb/bombpages/articles/MC/Ice%20Cube.htm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=www.bombhiphop.com}}</ref> Propelled by "[[Fuck tha Police]]", the album became a major success, despite an almost complete absence of radio airplay or major concert tours. The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] sent Ruthless a warning letter in response to the song's content.<ref>{{cite web |title=Compton Rappers Versus the Letter of the Law : FBI Claims Song by N.W.A. Advocates Violence on Police |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-05-ca-1046-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=5 October 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Richard |title=THE FBI AS MUSIC CRITIC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/10/04/the-fbi-as-music-critic/3f9abdb7-bed1-45b2-83ca-7a6e7da59fa9/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=4 October 1989}}</ref>

[[File:Uncle Jam's Army - Eazy-E and N.W.A. 1988 Skateland Concert Poster.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Poster for one of N.W.A's first concerts at a Compton skating rink, 1988]]
Two months before ''Straight Outta Compton'', ''Eazy-Duz-It'' was released, with lyrics largely written by Patterson, with contributions from Ice Cube and [[The D.O.C.]]<ref>McDermott, Terry (2002-04-14). [https://web.archive.org/web/20100916205810/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/apr/14/magazine/tm-37890/10 "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics"]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.</ref>

Following Ice Cube's departure from the group in 1989, N.W.A quickly released the EP ''[[100 Miles and Runnin']]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Old music: 100 Miles and Runnin' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/jun/19/nwa-100-miles-runnin |website=The Guardian |language=en |date=19 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Allah |first1=Sha Be |title=Today in Hip-Hop History: N.W.A.'s Second LP '100 Miles And Runnin' Turns 30! |url=https://thesource.com/2020/08/14/today-in-hip-hop-history-n-w-a-s-second-lp-100-miles-and-runnin-turns-30-2/ |website=The Source |date=14 August 2020}}</ref> with lyrics written by Patterson, with contributions by The D.O.C. The group's second full-length studio album, ''[[Niggaz4Life]],'' was released the next year.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=N.W.A Reflect on 'Efil4zaggin,' 1991's Most Dangerous Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/n-w-a-reflect-on-efil4zaggin-1991s-most-dangerous-album-191362/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=29 May 2016}}</ref> Selling 955,000 copies in the 1st week and was certified as Platinum,<ref>{{cite web |title=American album certifications – N.W.A. – EFIL4ZAGGIN |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=N.W.A.&ti=EFIL4ZAGGIN&format=Album&type=#search_section |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref> it became the first rap album to enter #1 on the [[Billboard charts]].<ref>{{cite web |title=N.W.A Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/n.w.a/chart-history/blp/ |publisher=Billboard |access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> This album would become the group's final, as [[Dr. Dre]] left the group over financial disputes with [[Jerry Heller]].

According to Patterson, it was common opinion that Heller was the one receiving their due:
{{blockquote|We felt he didn't deserve what he was getting. We deserved that shit. We were the ones making the records, traveling in vans and driving all around the place. You do all those fucking shows trying to get known, and then you come home to a fucking apartment. Then you go to his house, and this motherfucker lives in a mansion. There's gold leaf trimmings all in the bathroom and all kinds of other shit. You're thinking, "Man, fuck that."<ref name=mcren>{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Omar|title=MC Ren: RenIncarnated|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1253/title.mc-ren-renincarnated|publisher=Hiphop DX|date=October 26, 2008|access-date=April 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927205439/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1253/title.mc-ren-renincarnated|archive-date=September 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> }}

===Solo career: 1992–present===
As [[N.W.A]] disbanded, Patterson started recording his first solo release titled ''[[Kizz My Black Azz]]''. The 6-track [[Extended Play|EP]] was entirely produced by [[DJ Bobcat]], except for one song that Patterson produced himself. Released in summer 1992, the EP was a hit, commercially and critically. Without any radio play, the EP went [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] within 2 months.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/09/04/kizz-my-black-azz-return-product/|title=Kizz My Black Azz; Return of the Product|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 1992|author=James Bernard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922105934/https://ew.com/article/1992/09/04/kizz-my-black-azz-return-product/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=American album certifications – MC Ren – Kizz My Black Azz |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Mc+Ren&col=title&ord=desc#search_section |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

Patterson began recording for his debut album, at that time called ''Life Sentence'', in late 1992. During the recording process, Patterson joined [[Nation of Islam|The Nation of Islam]] with guidance from [[DJ Train]]. This caused him to scrap ''Life Sentence'', and ''[[Shock of the Hour]]'' was released in late 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-19-ca-3485-story.html|title=M.C. REN; "Shock of the Hour"; Ruthless/Relativity|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 19, 1993|access-date=September 22, 2022|last=Gold|first=Jonathan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922111438/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-19-ca-3485-story.html|archive-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> The album debuted at #1 on the R&B charts, selling 321,000 copies in its first month. ''Shock of the Hour'' was regarded as being more focused, yet even more controversial, and critics accused him again of being anti-white, misogynist, and antisemitic.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=MC Ren Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mc-ren/chart-history/blp/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="Robert Christgau">{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=MC+Ren |title=Shock of the Hour [Ruthless, 1993] |publisher=robertchristgau.com/ |date=November 23, 1993 |access-date=June 7, 2015}}</ref> The album is thematically divided into two sides; the first half deals with social issues like [[ghetto]] life, [[drug addiction]], [[racism]] and [[poverty]]. The second half shows Patterson's political side, as that half was recorded after he joined the Nation of Islam. The album features the hit singles "[[Same Ol' Shit]]" and "[[Mayday on the Frontline]]".

After 2 years of not talking to each other, Patterson reunited with Eazy-E in 1994 to produce their duet song "Tha Muthpukkin' Real" produced by DJ Yella, with Patterson co-producing. Three months later; on March 26, 1995, Eazy-E would die from complications of AIDS. The song "Tha Muthpukkin' Real" was released as a single in 1995.

Patterson soon fell on hard times when both DJ Train and Eazy-E died before the release of ''[[The Villain in Black]]''. The album, which was released in early 1996 and represented Patterson's first attempt at imitating the [[G-funk]] sound of Dr. Dre's [[The Chronic]], was not well received by critics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coker |first1=Cheo Hodari |title=1/2 MC Ren, "The Villain in Black," Ruthless/Relativity (**). |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-27-ca-63244-story.html |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=27 April 1996}}</ref> It was also heavily criticized for what many saw as Patterson's pandering to gangsta rap at the cost of a reduction in the sociopolitical content found on his earlier releases. The album debuted at #31 on the pop-charts, with the first week's sales of 31,000 copies. By the second month it had sold 131,000 copies.

Before leaving Ruthless, Patterson released ''[[Ruthless for Life]]'' in 1998, which proved a small comeback, selling moderately well. The album features Ice Cube, [[Snoop Dogg]], [[RBX]] and [[8Ball & MJG]], and others. This was the first time Patterson worked with new producers. By the end of 1998, Patterson had left Ruthless.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reiss|first=Randy|title=MC Ren Gets Ruthless On New Solo Album |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/350300/mc-ren-gets-ruthless-on-new-solo-album/|newspaper=[[MTV News]]|date=June 19, 1998|access-date=September 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919133648/https://www.mtv.com/news/v5l91y/mc-ren-gets-ruthless-on-new-solo-album|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Ruthless for Life - MC Ren {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ruthless-for-life-mw0000598660|language=en|access-date=2021-07-14}}</ref>

On October 31, 2009, Patterson released his fourth studio album entitled ''[[Renincarnated]]'', which was released under his own record label ''[[Villain Entertainment|Villain]]''. ''Renincarnated'' was only released in the US.

In 2015, Patterson stated that he had been working on his second EP, titled ''Rebel Music'' and released two singles: the title track, "[[Rebel Music (song)|Rebel Music]]", and "[[Burn Radio Burn]]". The official remix for "Rebel Music" was released in June 2014, and features Ice Cube.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Westhoff |first1=Ben |title=MC Ren Comes Out Swinging on His New Single |url=https://www.laweekly.com/mc-ren-comes-out-swinging-on-his-new-single/ |website=LA Weekly |date=16 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=N.W.A. Forever: MC Ren Making New Tunes With Ice Cube, DJ Premier |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/mc-ren-new-music-545855/ |website=VIBE |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=en |date=October 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Martins |first1=Chris |title=N.W.A. OG MC Ren Is Still Making 'Rebel Music' |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/03/mc-ren-rebel-music-stream-nwa-soundcloud/ |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]] |date=27 March 2014}}</ref> It was originally expected to be released by the end of 2015 but remained unreleased until 2022 when he canceled the project and followed it up with a new EP, ''Osiris'' via [[Twitter]].<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1527710345627783168|user=realmcren|title=NEW EP " Osiris " dropping June 3rd . The Saga continues 🔥|author=MC Ren|date= May 20, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref>

On May 22, 2022, he announced the track list of ''Osiris'', and released the EP on June 3, 2022. The eight-track EP is entirely produced by [[Tha Chill]] and features guest appearances from [[Kurupt]], [[Kokane]], [[Cold 187um]], [[Ras Kass]] and others.<ref>{{cite web |title=N.W.A Legend MC Ren Unveils Tha Chill-Produced 'Osiris' EP Tracklist & Release Date |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70527/title.n-w-a-legend-mc-ren-unveils-tha-chill-produced-osiris-ep-tracklist-release-date |website=[[HipHopDX]] |date=25 May 2022}}</ref>

===Collaborations: 1987–present===
In 1988, Patterson contributed to ''[[Eazy-Duz-It]]''. Although officially released as a solo album by Eazy-E, numerous artists contributed. Patterson; the only guest rapper on the album, features raps of his own on almost half of the album. The album was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, while Patterson, Ice Cube and The D.O.C. wrote the lyrics.

In 1990, Patterson produced the debut album for his protege group [[CPO (group)|CPO]], titled ''[[To Hell and Black]]''. The group consisted of [[CPO Boss Hogg (rapper)|CPO Boss Hogg]], DJ Train, and Young D. After the release of their debut album, the group dissolved. CPO Boss Hogg went to have a solo career, featuring on high-profile albums of N.W.A, Dr. Dre and [[Tupac Shakur|Tupac]], while [[DJ Train]] stayed with Patterson.

In 1993, Patterson introduced a new group called ''The Whole Click''. The group featured Patterson's longtime collaborator Bigg Rocc, Grinch, Bone and Patterson's brother, Juvenile. The group first appeared on Patterson's debut album ''[[Shock of the Hour]]''. The collective later split up. Bigg Rocc continued to collaborate with Patterson, featuring him on all his solo albums.

In 2000, he appeared on the song "[[Hello (Ice Cube song)|Hello]]", which featured Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on Ice Cube's ''[[War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)]]'' album. He joined the ''[[Up in Smoke Tour]]'' that same year to rap his verse on the track. He also appeared on the posse cut "Some L.A. Niggaz" from Dr. Dre's ''[[2001 (Dr. Dre album)|2001]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hello |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ice-cube-hello-throwback-feat-mc-ren-and-dr-dre-new-song.1974256.html |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=25 March 2022 |language=en |date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

Patterson's recent work has appeared on some more politically oriented projects with [[Public Enemy (group)|Public Enemy]], specifically [[Paris (rapper)|Paris]]'s album ''Hard Truth Soldiers Vol. 1'' as well as on Public Enemy's album ''[[Rebirth of a Nation]]''. Paris stated in an interview with rapstation.com that: "MC Ren is retired and won't be doing a full-length album as far as I know. I get at him for verses, that's about it."

In April 2016, Patterson reunited with the former members of N.W.A at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch Ice Cube reunite with N.W.A. members MC Ren and DJ Yella at Coachella |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ice-cube-3-1189235 |website=NME |date=17 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=N.W.A's Coachella Reunion 'Felt Like Old Times,' MC Ren Says |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/n-w-as-coachella-reunion-felt-like-old-times-mc-ren-says-38922/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=28 April 2016}}</ref>