A stacked roster of emcees pushed the competition to its limit, forcing an unprecedented second sudden-death round before Tre Awthenicc secured his 11th career victory.

by E. Jackson
Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 6:00AM

*With scores in hand, Radio reveals the judges' decisions during one of the closest competitions in RVA Rap Elite history. (Photo: Eric Jackson)*

RICHMOND, Va. — Episode 66 of RVA Rap Elite was an absolute classic! The emcees came to rap. And producers came with elite tracks. As the final day of the Charged Up Festival, the event brought additional energy to an already stacked evening, with Noah-O serving as a guest judge.

Performances from Fan Ran and Zuri had new listeners locked in to their flows, a SoundClash performance from Cin the Ciege and Super Dope Haskins, and an Open Beat Cypher that was probably one of the highlights of the night.

The night opened with the Rap Elite Cypher, featuring a heavy roster of emcees, both new and returning. First-time participant Oatmeal Jenkins, who hails from Virginia Beach and posted an impressive 26.0 score during the cypher, left impressed by the competition. “I thought the talent level was good here. I enjoyed it,” he said.

But participants aren’t there to just enjoy, they are there to compete. At the highest level.

Jenkins continued and said, ‘I didn’t win. I want to win and I’ll be back.”

That energy carries on to the GMs. Grammy-award winning producer, Ant the Symbol commented saying that, “I’m always very strategic with it.” He says this in response to how he picks his team. “In order to keep my position, I can’t miss. I have to make sure everybody that I pick is on point.”

One of the highlights during the cypher came when Mister Williams pieced together a perfect pattern of "P" alliteration reminiscent of Papoose’s “Alphabetical Slaughter.” It was a polished performance that proved exactly why Episode 66 could go down as a classic.

And if there was any doubt, the two-time unprecedented sudden death, erased that!

Once Radio announced the scores, Mister Williams found himself tied with the now 11x winner Tre Awthenicc, three-time belt champion Ro$$eTTi, Sneeze, and Cin the Ciege.

The battle was so close that one sudden-death round wasn't enough.

But even after the disapproval of the crowd, Tre Awthenicc dominated two rounds of sudden death. Earning the win, not once, but twice.

“I kept hearing the words (from the crowd), and seeing the faces. Oh, a few of y’all not feeling this.”

It was during the second sudden death that Awthenicc not only captured the audience’s attention, but demanded it. While some in the crowd questioned the decision after the first tiebreaker, his second performance silenced much of the debate. "But when we did the second joint, they wasn't acting the same," he said. "I deserved it."

The competitiveness was evident even among the veterans. Ro$$etti later said he felt his first verse was strong enough to secure the win that night.

Following the main event was the SoundClash between Cin the Ciege and Super Dope Haskins.

The Open Beat Cypher was next: a showcase of elite production and lyrical talent, with Fan Ran and Oskar supplying beat after beat that kept several emcees jumping on the mic. Every time it felt like the cypher might wind down, another rapper stepped in.

Among those making the most of the moment was Reppa Ton, who recently released his new album, Memento Vivere: The Album.

For many in attendance, it was the perfect ending to a night that reminded everyone why RVA Rap Elite continues to be one of Richmond's premier platforms for the Culture.

RVA Rap Elite returns for Episode 67 on June 28.

Save $5 when you use code TRSEEN at RVARapElite.com.

Thank you so much for reading. We’ll see you Sunday, June 28th!

We’d love to know what you thought about the show. Please email thoughts and suggestions to info@therichmondseen.com

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One Sudden Death Wasn't Enough and the Competitiveness of RVA Rap Eilite: Episode 66

Before the Cypher: How to Succeed at RVA Rap Elite