In February, National City native and Old English veteran Saviorself released his latest album, "Show Some F---ing Respect." The project's first video, "Second Offense," dropped in March and is at once serious, comedic and cinematic.
Opening with a Google search ("born with baby hands"), the video is stacked with dry humor as a pair of mini mitts looks for a solution to its tiny-paw problem, typing and applying a bit of hand lotion. None of the search results help though, as the character, small hands and all, gives into his frustration and opts for a beer break out on his front porch.
The scene is straight-faced wit and acts as the perfect counter balance for Saviorself's street sensibility. He's smart but doesn't laugh at his own jokes, and respects his audience enough to trust that they'll catch the punchline.
Humor aside, Saviorself is a serious rapper with a nice pen game: "I'm a muthaf---ing beast in the streets/you Clay Aiken on E/I'll slay 80 emcees/then make 81 Gs." There's no shortage of charisma either, as his personality bleeds through lowlight cameras and Casbah performance footage -- in tune with his cultural roots, wrapped in the Mexican flag, Saviorself is pure pride and tradition.
"Second Offense" has bars and bottom end, with a truck ratting bassline courtesy of producer 21 Gramz. And it's just in time for spring, as the weather's nice enough for rolled down windows and blaring car stereos. It's vintage bump as Saviorself and crew "roll around the city in a pale white Porsche."
J. Smith, aka 1019, is a San Diego native, rap fan and one half of the rap duo Parker & the Numberman. You can follow him on Instagram at 1019_the_numberman or on Twitter.
