Rv (rapper)

{{short description|British rapper}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Rv | image = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Jordan Craig Townsend<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/896091781 |title=ASSIST |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=April 28, 2023}}</ref> | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|12|08}} | birth_place = [[Tottenham]], [[London]], England | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = {{flatlist| * [[British hip hop]] * [[UK drill]] }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Rapper * songwriter }} | years_active = 2010–present | label = Starish Entertainment | current_member_of = [[OFB (rap group)|OFB]] | website = }}

'''Jordan Craig Townsend''' (born 8 December 1993),<ref name="times death threats">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/knife-attackers-use-youtube-to-issue-death-threats-from-prison-rxq9pkqll |title=Knife attackers use YouTube to issue death threats from prison |last1=Harper |first1=Tom |date=10 March 2019 |work=[[The Times]] |last2=Mararike |first2=Shingi |url-access=limited |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824194613/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/knife-attackers-use-youtube-to-issue-death-threats-from-prison-rxq9pkqll |archive-date=24 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> known professionally as '''Rv''' (formerly '''Young RV'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/news/heritage-before-they-were-charting-headie-one-and-rv-were-repping-tottenham-to-the-fullest-in-this-classic-cypher-2010|title=HERITAGE: Before They Were Charting, Headie One And RV Were Repping Tottenham To The Fullest In This Classic Cypher (2010)|website=trenchtrenchtrench.com|language=en-US|access-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108134732/https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/news/heritage-before-they-were-charting-headie-one-and-rv-were-repping-tottenham-to-the-fullest-in-this-classic-cypher-2010|archive-date=8 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>), is a British rapper and songwriter whose mixtape ''Drillers and Trappers 2'' with rapper [[Headie One]] reached number 21 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].

== Early life == Townsend grew up in [[Tottenham]] in North London and attended [[Finchley Catholic High School]]. Both of his parents are [[Jamaica]]n.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/big-read-headie-one-make-mistake-youve-got-move-quickly |title=The Big Read – Headie One: "If you make a mistake, you've got to move quickly" |last=Bassett |first=Jordan |work=[[NME]] |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809071518/https://www.nme.com/big-read-headie-one-make-mistake-youve-got-move-quickly |archive-date=9 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pressplayent">{{Citation |title=Young RV [Interview] @itspressplayent #3YoungRV |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGjolKHm6P8 |language=en |access-date=8 November 2019 |date=7 March 2013 |author=Pressplay Media |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128095241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGjolKHm6P8&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=28 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was originally a member of Star Gang,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/news/heritage-a-young-fresh-faced-headie-one-shows-us-how-much-raw-potential-he-had-from-the-start-2011|title=HERITAGE: A Young, Fresh-Faced Headie One Shows Us How Much Raw Potential He Had From The Start (2011)|website=trenchtrenchtrench.com|language=en-US|access-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108134734/https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/news/heritage-a-young-fresh-faced-headie-one-shows-us-how-much-raw-potential-he-had-from-the-start-2011|archive-date=8 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> an offshoot of the [[Tottenham Mandem]] gang.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=JOMEC Journal|date=7 August 2019|doi=10.18573/j.2017.10145|doi-access=free}}</ref> Rv has stated he converted to Islam after his cousin Fatman, who was Muslim, died in 2007.<ref name="pressplayent" /> Rv got his moniker from a friend that died in 2010. His friend went by the name Revenge 24 and had told Rv that if he died or went to jail, Rv had to "carry on the name".<ref name="pressplayent" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/lu/artist/rv/27775188|title=RV on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|language=en-gb|access-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108140644/https://music.apple.com/lu/artist/rv/27775188|archive-date=8 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career == In 2010, he released his first mixtape ''Cruddy on the Streets'',<ref name=":2" /> followed in 2011 by ''AntiSocial Behaviour'', a joint mixtape with Supa Capone, and ''Call of Duty: Tottenham Warfare'', a compilation mixtape featuring various Tottenham artists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.drillersxtrappers.com/rv|title=RV|website=live|language=en|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128023141/https://www.drillersxtrappers.com/rv|archive-date=28 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

He and rapper [[Headie One]] became frequent collaborators, including co-releasing the mixtapes ''Sticks & Stones'' (2016) and ''Drillers x Trappers'' (2017).<ref name="nme match day">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/rv-headie-one-football-themed-video-match-day-2465089 |title=Watch RV and Headie One's football-themed video for 'Match Day' |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=21 March 2019 |work=[[NME]] |access-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324030654/https://www.nme.com/news/music/rv-headie-one-football-themed-video-match-day-2465089 |archive-date=24 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Together they formed part of [[OFB (rap group)|OFB]], a [[UK drill]] group based in the [[Broadwater Farm estate]].<ref name="fact" /> While in prison, he and other OFB members had released music videos where they warn their rivals that they will grab and stab them.<ref name="times death threats" />

Rv also released a solo [[Extended play|EP]], ''Fresh Prince of Tottenham'', on 24 August 2018.<ref>{{Citation |title=Fresh Prince Of Tottenham |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1HDascqVJWEqiCHhSVAYLW |language=en |access-date=22 August 2019}}</ref>

Following his release from prison,<ref name="scan">{{Cite web |url=https://scan.lancastersu.co.uk/2019/03/12/what-do-you-mean-you-havent-heard-of-rv/ |title=What Do You Mean You Haven't Heard Of... RV? |date=12 March 2019 |website=[[SCAN (newspaper)|SCAN]] |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107193910/https://scan.lancastersu.co.uk/2019/03/12/what-do-you-mean-you-havent-heard-of-rv/ |archive-date=7 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> on 22 March 2019, Rv and Headie One released a third mixtape called ''Drillers x Trappers II''.<ref name="complex">{{Cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/03/headie-one-rv-dxt-ii |title=Headie One And RV Return With 'Drillers x Trappers II' Mixtape |last=Oke |first=Tobi |date=22 March 2019 |website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |access-date=26 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326125431/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/03/headie-one-rv-dxt-ii |archive-date=26 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> It entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number 21.<ref name="drillers charts" /> "Match Day", the first single from the mixtape, entered the Singles Chart at number 86.<ref name="match day charts" /> He publicly revealed his face for the first time in the music video "Why Always Me".<ref name="the face">{{Cite web |url=https://theface.com/music/bally-on-me-why-uk-rappers-cover-their-faces |title=Bally On Me: Why UK drill rappers cover their faces |website=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]] |date=7 May 2019 |language=en-gb |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509164715/https://theface.com/music/bally-on-me-why-uk-rappers-cover-their-faces |archive-date=9 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GRM brand new">{{Cite news |url=http://grmdaily.com/video/rv-brand-new-why-always-me |title=Premiere: RV Makes Big Return With "Brand New/Why Always Me" Visuals |last=Wynter |first=Courtney |date=28 February 2019 |work=[[GRM Daily]] |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608221347/http://grmdaily.com/video/rv-brand-new-why-always-me |archive-date=8 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 1 July 2019, he did a freestyle rap on [[Charlie Sloth]]'s show.<ref name="versus">{{Cite web | url=https://versus.uk.com/2019/07/rv-fire-in-the-booth/ | title=RV Unleashes Cold 'Fire In The Booth' Debut Freestyle | date=2 July 2019 | work=Versus | location=UK | first=Jacob | last=Davey | access-date=7 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815104227/https://versus.uk.com/2019/07/rv-fire-in-the-booth/ | archive-date=15 August 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 August 2019, he released the solo EP, ''Savage''.<ref name="GRM savage">{{Cite news |url=http://grmdaily.com/rv-savage-ep |title=RV'S highly-anticipated 'Savage' EP has arrived |last=Collier-McDermott |first=Shante |date=2 August 2019 |work=[[GRM Daily]] |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824194553/http://grmdaily.com/rv-savage-ep |archive-date=24 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="versus" /><ref name="westwood">{{Cite interview | subject=RV | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yBFBPZ5SGw | title=RV on Savage, OFB, Headie One, drill scene, drip | interviewer=[[Tim Westwood]] | date=11 August 2019 | via=[[YouTube]] | access-date=7 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223111056/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yBFBPZ5SGw | archive-date=23 December 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/savage/1472877536 |title=Savage by Rv |date=2 August 2019 |via=music.apple.com |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107232549/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/savage/1472877536 |archive-date=7 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 April 2021, he did a ''Plugged In'' with [[Fumez the Engineer]], a [[UK rap]] freestyle series.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 April 2021|title=RV Drops Cold 'Plugged In' Freestyle With Fumez The Engineer|url=https://grmdaily.com/rv-plugged-in/|access-date=5 November 2021|website=GRM Daily|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Legal issues == In 2012, he and other North London gang members were convicted of wounding with intent to do [[grievous bodily harm]] and possession of an offensive weapon in a stabbing of a 15-year-old boy at a barber shop in [[Wood Green]]. He received a seven-year sentence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/9893602.gang-members-sentenced-for-wood-green-barbers-stabbing/ |title=Gang members sentenced for Wood Green barbers stabbing |last=Thain |first=Bruce |date=24 August 2012 |work=Tottenham & Wood Green Independent |access-date=22 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822210010/https://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/9893602.gang-members-sentenced-for-wood-green-barbers-stabbing/ |archive-date=22 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="times death threats" />

== Discography == === Mixtapes === * ''Cruddy on the Streets'' (2010) *''AntiSocial Behaviour'' (2011) {{small|(with Supa Capone)}} *''Call of Duty: Tottenham Warfare'' (2011) *''Sticks & Stones'' (2016) {{small|(with [[Headie One]])}} * ''Drillers x Trappers'' (2017) {{small|(with Headie One)}} * ''Drillers x Trappers II'' (2019) {{small|(with Headie One)}} * ''Rico Vondelle'' (2021) * ''Inconspicuous'' (2023)

=== EP === * ''Fresh Prince of Tottenham'' (2018) * ''Savage'' (2019)

== References ==  <references>

<ref name="fact">{{Cite web |url=https://www.factmag.com/2018/08/02/mk-the-plug-and-m1-on-the-beat-are-uk-drills-brightest-hope/ |title=Making the banned: MK The Plug and M1 On The Beat are UK drill's brightest hope |last=Thapar |first=Ciaran |date=2 August 2018 |website=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]] |publisher=[[The Vinyl Factory]] |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713230018/https://www.factmag.com/2018/08/02/mk-the-plug-and-m1-on-the-beat-are-uk-drills-brightest-hope/ |archive-date=13 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="match day charts">{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/match-day/ |title=match day | full Official Chart History |work=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107200729/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/match-day/ |archive-date=7 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="drillers charts">{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/drillers-and-trappers-2/ |title=Drillers and Trappers 2 |work=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330143441/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/drillers-and-trappers-2/ |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

</references>

{{DEFAULTSORT:RV}} [[Category:People from Tottenham]] [[Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Haringey]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:English male rappers]] [[Category:Black British male rappers]] [[Category:Black British rappers]] [[Category:UK drill musicians]] [[Category:British drill musicians]] [[Category:Gangsta rappers]] [[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]] [[Category:1993 births]] [[Category:21st-century British rappers]]