“By 11 p.m. the bar was packed, and RVS took the stage after Columbia band Pluto’s Still a Planet and before the St. Louis group Illphonics. RVS opened his performance with a sample of “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre and another of “St. Louie” by St. Louis native Nelly. The crowd was pumped about the recent Cardinal victory and received the set well. RVS commanded the stage at Alpha Phi Alpha and Roxy’s present: Spange.”

“St. Louis emcee RVS was featured in The Conscious Tip’s very first event so it’s only right we keep an eye on the rising artist. Released earlier this summer, Paragon of Dopeness is his latest offering of raw and gritty Hip Hop. Not only did he bless the album with expected dope lyricism, he produced each track himself as well. My favorite joint on there is the super laid back ”Sorrow” which features Kenyatta Woods.”

“If you love music you’ll be hooked to Paragon of Dopeness, the quality rap project from St. Louis rapper, RVS (@FranchICE06). If you follow fads and whatever’s popular at the time, you probably won’t like Paragon of Dopeness (and you probably can’t read this anyway). Weighing in at 12 tracks plus a bonus track Paragon of Dopeness has songs for every mood and FranchICE shows versatility as a producer, varying from classic boom bap to the current commercial sound.”

“The homie RVS dropped a new project recently. If you remember him, he’s dropped some pretty dope projects, one with Mr. Skip A Beat as well as crack EP , but this one is even doper. In fact, it’s the The Paragon of Dopeness. Like a real businessman, he’s even tossed it on iTunes and Spotify too. If you like it, download buy all 12 tracks and enjoy. And check out http://thervsmusic.com/ to keep up with him. He’s definitely making moves.”

“So as the song-spinnin’, rhyme-runnin’ RVS continues to amplify as an artist, so will Columbia’s newfound hip-hop haven.”

“RVS was laid-off (like many of my other college-educated brethren), but rather than bitching, he released this dope EP...It’s a hell of a dilemma being Young, Black, and Gifted, but RVS bears the burden well. The Resilient “Higher Ground” shows this. Overall, The Layoff EP is a solid project with a good story.”

“I’m always in support of artists who have a personal connection with their music. Whether it’s storytelling, discussing social issues, political awareness, etc. For St. Louis emcee RVS, the experience of being laid off sprouted his latest project The Layoff. In rough economic times, many of us in the 99% can directly relate to this EP.”

“The Point is this…when creativity comes knocking…dont leave the poor bastard outside in the cold.”

“I ran into RVS. He gave me a card one night at a show I was doing and simply said, “I rap a little bit” then said peace out. That’s how I knew he wasn’t your everyday, run of the mill, swag talking, bottle popping, catch me in the club rapper...”

“This RVS kid is really on some rhyme-kicker shit!”

“This album, which took a year and a half to complete, consist of 10 tracks that induces the nostalgic feeling of old school hip hop. I mean we are talking samples of jazz and funk intertwined with hard-hitting drums. Straight MPC style here!!! RVS vocals mesh well over Skips beats. Their individual sounds compliment each other… The album is conceptual in nature, has comedy relief (the intro is the best), and overall is good feel good music.”