Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (born June 16, 1969),[1] known professionally by his stage name MC Ren, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Compton, California.

MC Ren began his career as a solo artist signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in early 1987, while still attending high school.

After the group disbanded in 1991, he stayed with Ruthless, releasing three solo albums including the controversial Shock of the Hour before leaving the label in 1998.

He showed up to the ceremony to accept the award along with Ice Cube, DJ Yella, The D.O.C and Lil Eazy E.[7][8] Lorenzo Jerald Patterson was born in Compton, California, on June 16, 1969,[9] and raised in Pannes Ave. around Kelly Park.

[10] Patterson joined the Kelly Park Compton Crips (of which Eazy-E would also become a member) in attempt to make money, but soon departed and turned to drug dealing as he felt it was more lucrative.

Following a raid on his childhood friend MC Chip's house, Patterson quit dealing and focused thereafter on making music.

At this time, he developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing songs with MC Chip, with whom he formed the group Awesome Crew, and performed at parties and nightclubs.

[12] Patterson officially began his rap career upon joining forces with another childhood friend, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright, in 1985.

[18][19] One month after Straight Outta Compton, Eazy-Duz-It was released, with lyrics largely written by Patterson, with contributions from Ice Cube and The D.O.C.

[20] Following Ice Cube's departure from the group in 1989, N.W.A quickly released the EP 100 Miles and Runnin'[21][22] with lyrics written by Patterson, with contributions by The D.O.C.

[30][31] The album is thematically divided into two sides; the first half deals with social issues like ghetto life, drug addiction, racism and poverty.

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.

[32] 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.

[35][36][37] 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.

The eight-track EP is entirely produced by Tha Chill and features guest appearances from Kurupt, Kokane, Cold 187um, Ras Kass and others.

CPO Boss Hogg went to have a solo career, featuring on high-profile albums of N.W.A, Dr. Dre and Tupac, while DJ Train stayed with Patterson.

[40] Patterson's recent work has appeared on some more politically oriented projects with Public Enemy, specifically Paris's album Hard Truth Soldiers Vol.

In April 1993, Patterson began attending a mosque, and by July he was a fully registered member of the Nation of Islam, known as Lorenzo X.

[51] MC Ren also stated Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions as his all-time favorite hip hop album.