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Before jotting down his first rhymes in the back of his seventh grade classroom, or going into the studio to lay them down in the ninth grade the 17-year-old Dominican-born MC known as Savage, was destined to contribute to Hip-hop’s evolution. “I don’t know anybody that can do what I do,” he says. “I feel like I’m filling the gap that’s missing in Hip-hop by rapping in English and Spanish.” Throughout the years, the vigorous baby-face New Yorker has kept a close eye and ear to what he likes and dislikes about Hip-hop music. Based on his observations and accumulated knowledge, combined, he’s become the perfect fit for an obvious gaping hole in the multilingual genre of Hip-hop.
“I let the beat speak to me,” he later says when questioned about his language preference when rapping. “I might have a Spanish hook on a song, spit bars in English or alternate languages between bars. I have a lot of different styles. There’s no telling what’s going to come out of my mouth at any given moment. The person that people talk to everyday is not the same person that I am when I go into the booth. That’s why they call me Savage—that’s exactly what I turn into when I rap.”
Savage grew up in West Harlem, New York, after his parents immigrated to New York City from the Dominican Republic when he was two. Although most would see a world of difference between notable MCs such as the late great 2 Pac, and renowned Reggaeton artist Tego Calderon, Savage hears two distinct visionaries with similar thoughts; deep thinkers who’ve influenced him as well as the many who understand their words. “Both of them have taught me, in their respective languages and styles, that you can change and touch people’s lives through music,” he says.
Since the inception of Hip-hop music over 30 years ago, it has transcended across the globe, into practically every country known to man. In addition, with Hip-hop bearing the most influence on today’s youth, and Spanish being the second most spoken language in America alone, Savage brings a new taste of cultural diversity to the game.
“I know the value of hard work,” he says. “I watched my family struggle and work hard to make something out of nothing after moving to the states. It’s no different with my music. I understand that in order for my vision to come to life, I gotta work hard everyday to make it happen. I’m not saying I’m the best, but I won’t stop until I’m considered one of the best to ever do it.”
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