The amazingly talented Welsh, hip-hop artist Ren, hailing from Dwyran on Anglesey, made it to number 1 in the UK charts with his independently released album, Sick Boi.

The internet sensation has built up a huge fanbase online, and it was his extremely loyal fanbase who helped push him beyond the line to beat his competition from Rick Astley. In the end it wasn’t even close as Sick Boi had a 6,000 unit advantage when the official UK albums Chart was published on October 20th, thanks to a striking push in the final 24 hours of the cycle.

Sick Boi is released through The Other Songs, it is the indie entertainment company’s first ever UK top 10.

Rens victory sees him joining the long list of Welsh album chart toppers, from Tom Jones, Bonnie Tyler and Duffy to Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics among many others. This should not be underestimated given that it has been achieved completely as an independent artist.

This has also come as a huge victory for the Welsh star as he has suffered many years from an autoimmune diseases which also resulted in bouts of depression which forced him at one time to withdraw from music. Last year he addressed his struggles in a song called Hi Ren, a phenomenal track where he confronts his illness through the voices in his head. His Youtube video for Hi Ren gained over 20 million views. Sick Boi is a real contender for Music Scene Wales’ Album Of The Year.

Ren refused to be told the results ahead of the charts and tuned in along with his fans on the countdown. A real victorious moment for Ren and also for independent music.