Editing MC Ren (section)

==Early life==
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson was born in [[Compton, California]], on June 16, 1969,<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mc-ren-mn0000401512/biography|title=MC Ren – Biography|work=[[AllMusic]]|first=Steve|last=Huey|access-date=June 6, 2017}}</ref> and raised in Pannes Ave. around Kelly Park. He grew up with his parents, two brothers and a sister. His father used to work for "the government", until he later opened up his own barber shop.<ref>{{cite web|last=Raider|first=Tusken |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/21630929@N04/2095314755/in/photolist-4ceiCm-4caiSc-4cehAW-4cewG9-4qm8vJ-4ca3Yn-4ca35t-4qm991-4qm9F3-4qm72w-4qm7Bw|title=29 MC Ren interview 1 Hip Hop Connection February 1994 NO.60.jpg &#124; Flickr – Photo Sharing!|publisher=Flickr |date=December 7, 2007|access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Raider |first=Tusken |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/21630929@N04/2095367867/in/photolist-4qm9F3-4qm7Bw-4qm8vJ-4cewG9-4qm72w-4qm991-4ca3Yn-4ca35t-4ceiCm-4caiSc-4cehAW-vhKRw4-vhKR3P |title=41 MC Ren interview 1 The Source February 1994 NO.53|publisher=Flickr |date=December 7, 2007 |access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref>

Patterson attended [[Dominguez High School]], where he met his future collaborator, [[DJ Train]]. 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Westhoff |first=Ben |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/mc-ren-comes-out-swinging-on-his-new-single-4783554/ |title=MC Ren Comes Out Swinging on His New Single |publisher=[[LA Weekly|L.A. Weekly]] |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> Patterson officially began his rap career upon joining forces with another childhood friend, Eric "[[Eazy-E]]" Wright, in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/mcren08/ |title=// MC Ren Interview (October 2008) // West Coast News Network // |publisher=Dubcnn.com |access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> Patterson graduated from high school in 1987 and he planned to join the [[United States Army]] after graduation, but changed his mind after watching the 1987 film ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]''.