Video Review: Outfit by Butch Dawson

While we wait for another project from Baltimore’s own Butch Dawson, he shares a ridiculously  clever and humbling visual for his single Outfit. The video takes place on the streets of Baltimore, as Dawson poses as a reporter and is followed by a camcorder. During these turbulent times, the video gives viewers a humorous and relaxed outlook.

The visual for Outfit is comedic and simplistic as he raps into a red microphone while wearing medical gloves and pushing his cloth mask to the side. Dawson interviews a local DJ in the “scene,” who comments on his experience being present at a COVID-19 fundraiser show during a shooting. The whole situation is ironic due to the fact of that the DJ removes his mask to talk and discusses how he just went to the show to meet a girl, even though there’s a pandemic. 

As Dawson raps “but we in the quarantine sorta dream / shit ain’t really what is seems,” we cut to different scenes of him walking down the street and interacting with folks from a distance. He sports a brown suit, a short black wig, and a striped tie. The song almost feels like a freestyle as Dawson raps about Thelonious Monk and Texas Hold ‘Em. The video is lighthearted for the times, even though aspects of the pandemic are prevalent through seeing predominately empty streets and protective masks. Also, the video features mundane activities like Dawson eating a bag of hot chips and sitting on stoops. 

Butch Dawson utilizes D.I.Y. techniques in this straightforward video and his career overall. He’s made a name for himself by constantly performing at small venues in his hometown and produces a majority of his own music. He combines gritty beats with lyrics about everyday life and jazzy adlibs. Also, Dawson has collaborated with artists like Lil Yatchy, JPEGMAFIA, and D.R.A.M. 

The song is only available via the video on Youtube.