Rav

**Rav** is a **USSR-born rapper** who was born on November 1, 1991, just weeks before the Soviet Union dissolved. He spent much of his formative years in post-Soviet slums, raised by a single mother, before his exposure to hip-hop—particularly A Tribe Called Quest's *Midnight Marauders*—changed his life trajectory. Now based in the United States, Rav has built a reputation as a distinctive voice in underground hip-hop, known for his introspective lyricism and willingness to tackle themes of depression, addiction, and vulnerability with unflinching honesty.

Beyond his solo work, Rav is the **founder of Exociety (EXO)**, an internet-based label that's become home to a roster of innovative contemporary artists including Kill Bill: The Rapper, Scuare, and others known for pushing creative boundaries. Since breaking through with his critically acclaimed *Hyperkinesis EP* in 2012, Rav has released a string of compelling projects, including *Beneath the Toxic Jungle* (2015), which showcased his ability to blend lo-fi production with deeply personal storytelling. His music refuses easy narratives, instead embracing ambiguity and the messy reality of mental health struggles—a quality that's made him a respected figure among listeners seeking authenticity in hip-hop.