Renincarnated cover

Released 17 years ago this October

Renincarnated

MC Ren · 2009

37 min · 10 tracks · gangsta rap

A gritty exploration of life on the West Coast, blending hard-hitting beats with introspective lyricism and classic gangsta rap swagger.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Knock'em out the Box — This track showcases MC Ren's signature aggressive delivery coupled with sharp social commentary, making it a standout example of his lyrical prowess.
  • →
    West Coastin' — An anthem celebrating West Coast culture, this track embodies the essence of G-funk while highlighting Ren's deep-rooted connection to his origins.
  • →
    Villainist Tales — In this track, Ren narrates stories from the streets with vivid detail, showcasing his storytelling ability and reinforcing his reputation as a key voice in gangsta rap.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends introspective lyrics with classic West Coast sounds but lacks standout cohesion across its tracks.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a title track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
  • Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, creating an engaging dialogue between MC Ren and featured artists.
  • The production incorporates classic G-funk elements, including synth-heavy beats and smooth bass lines, while also integrating harder-hitting percussion in certain tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo grooves
  • gritty narratives of street life
  • for laid-back gatherings
  • in-order listening experience
  • reflective vibes of west coast

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer rapid-fire tracks
  • seek high-energy party anthems

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2009, Renincarnated marked MC Ren's first studio album in over a decade, positioning him as a returning figure within the West Coast hip-hop scene. Following his work with N.W.A., this album represents a significant personal and artistic revival for Ren at a time when hip-hop was evolving rapidly.
Stylistic neighbors
Ice Cube· Eazy-E· Dr. Dre

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Renincarnated 4:19
  • 2 Knock'em out the Box 4:07
  • 3 Showtime 4:09
  • 4 Down for Whatever 3:43
  • 5 West Coastin' 3:30
  • 6 Villainist Tales 2:58
  • 7 Shootin' the Shit a Lil' Bit 2:49
  • 8 Black Star Line 3:15
  • 9 Return of the Villain 4:05
  • 10 V-Funk 4:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata