Ray Sanders says Columbia is full of musical gems. [RVS](http://thervsmusic.com/) may just be one of them.

Sanders, aka local hip-hop artist RVS, says his musical roots reach back to his elementary school days, filled with old school records and gospel music. He began with poems, graduating to instrumentals and boom box recording by age 8. Sanders says it was all about finding his voice in his creative outlet, hip-hop.

“I want to have an artistic integrity and not really worry about what the current trends are in music and just carve my own way,” Sanders says.

Sanders’ music is true to his vision and his name. RVS is literally Ray V. Sanders. He says jokingly that he used his name so it would be easy to remember. Hip-hop the RVS way is a refreshing, artistic take on the genre, a welcome difference from today’s mainstream rap.

“My music is a throwback to the era of (when) you had to be original to actually rap, show some style when you put your words together and have some beats that not only get the party started but that you can ride to in your car,” Sanders says.

RVS matches his high-energy beats with a show of the same caliber.

“I definitely try to give over a hundred percent in my shows,” he says. “I try to put some of the passion that comes from my music on stage … I’m very interactive with the crowds, and I just like to go up on stage, have fun and get feedback from the audience.”

Sanders says fans can expect some good hip-hop music and fun this Friday night at Roxy’s.