Meet Ren1 | Singer/Songwriter, Cultural Strategist & Artist Disrupter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ren1 and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi REN1, what principle do you value most?
I have two; authenticity and integrity. No one can do what you or I can do which is the beauty of authenticity. To be authentic is to not only be who you uniquely are but it also requires you to accept all that you are. It requires the on-going and ever evolving process and journey of self-discovery because life is full of changes that can influence how you show up in the world. It can be nuanced and messy at times because it can also require unlearning and re-learning but at the end of the day, authenticity matters the most because it guides me to and through my purpose. Integrity is another value that matters the most because no matter the endeavor or goal at hand, I want to be sure I achieved it and got there honestly causing no harm to myself or others. Of course that doesn’t always happen but having integrity as my north star as I walk through life, continues to keep my heart open and centered. A moral compass is something our society needs more of and the only way to inject that into the world is to embody it myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer/songwriter from Dayton, Ohio which is the birthplace of funk music. I think my hometown and being from the legacy that is funk is definitely one thing that sets me apart from others. I also have a very unorthodox upbringing when it comes to my upbringing in music. I remember quitting a very lucrative job right after graduating from college to be a full time Cultural Organizer which allowed me to collaborate and co-create art and events with other artists who wanted to make change in their communities and the world at large. This era of my life politicized me and gifted me with more knowledge about how our government operates and what my responsibility as an artist is. That is how I came across the term ‘Artist Disrupter’ coined from the dope organization out in Cali, The Center for Cultural Power. Ever since working closely with non-profit social justice organizations and recognizing my own power as an artist, I haven’t looked back on my ability to shift hearts and minds by way of singing and songwriting and sharing personal stories. It wasn’t easy getting here; I had to overcome a lot of fear, imposter syndrome and stage fright. My community really helped me overcome that; I sought guidance from mentors and people who I now consider my sisters to really overcome those feelings of inadequacy. I’ve learned that I cannot allow fear to dictate my actions. I’ve learned that love for self, God and humanity can really help you embody and create the world you want to live in. I’ve learned that it’s okay for me to be powerful in my gift of song and writing. I want the world to know that I’m here to be a conduit of love and healing by way of my voice; that’s it and that’s all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start us off at one of the Five Rivers MetroParks…honestly any location would suffice because all of our parks are beautiful. It’s definitely one of the highlights and must sees of Dayton. Then I’d have us visit the Dayton Art Institute which is an art museum that rotates amazing exhibits and then move us to Willis Bing Davis art studio on the West Side of Dayton which houses amazing African diasporic art. We could catch lunch at spots like Culture in the Oregon District and walk throughout the district to the small shops. I’d also have us visit a local open mic night and/or show that could pop up at various venues throughout the city hosted by other local creatives. I’d have us get cocktails or wine at spots like Tender Mercy or Joui Wine. If we have time, I’d also have us catch a Dayton Contemporary Dance Company performance because they are absolutely riveting. You can never go wrong with catching live music so I’d have us attend a Luv Locz performance which is one of the hottest local reggae/Caribbean funk bands. And then knowing me, we’d probably have to pass by a studio session or band rehearsal for one of my upcoming shows.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, God deserves all the credit and glory for my mere existence and for always being a guiding source. Also My mother, Winnie Johnson, deserves a lot of credit because she always kept me active in the arts and many extra curriculum activity. I would also shoutout my choir directors throughout my life, Cynthia Douglas from New Hope Lutheran Church and Ang (shoutout to In His Presence Gospel Choir). My father, Frank Johnson for always being a conduit of creativity and music; he was my first example of production, songwriting and performance. All of my creative instructors and teachers from Stivers School from the Arts for nurturing my creativity and talents in writing and dance especially DeShona Pepper Robertson. My aunt Connie who always kept my mother at ease because I was such a Leo child and wanted to do and be everything but also for always praying for me and encouraging me to keep being creative.

Website: https://www.itsmariahj.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ren1.official/

Twitter: https://x.com/REN1OFFICIAL/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/introducingmariah

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MotherlandMuseInc

Image Credits
Jeremy Tkach, Will Smith, Jasmine Olaore