Noted for his intense flow and sharp wit, Francis has won acclaim both as a freestyle battler and as an unapologetic, intellectual lyricist. Francis uses a broad emotional palette to address a wide range of personal, cultural, and political issues. His unconventional style and persona have given him crossover appeal, but at the same time alienated some hip-hop listeners.
Prior to embarking on a full-time career as an MC, Francis displayed his skills in slam poetry. During the late 1990s, he recorded his first demo tape (1996), fronted the now defunct Providence hip-hop band Art Official Intelligence, and hosted a weekly slot on independent radio station WRIU (the "True School Session"). He also formed the Non-Prophets and released a 12” (Drop Bass/Bounce/I Keep Calling, Emerge Records, 1999), following up in 2003 with their first full-length offering, Hope. Francis is a contemporary of underground hip-hop artists such as Slug, Eyedea, Sole and the anticon. collective. He is also loosely affiliated with the vague underground hip-hop super-group The Orphanage.
As a solo performer, Francis won the MC battle at the 2000 Scribble Jam, and in 2001 he came close to repeating as champion (semi-finalist) while performing as his "metal" alter ego, "Xaul Zan". Francis released his first proper solo album, Personal Journals, on Anticon. in 2002. He toured with a live band on the Live Band Dead Poet Tour to support it. Francis subsequently became the first hip-hop artist to sign with Punk label Epitaph, agreeing to a three-album deal. His first album for Epitaph, A Healthy Distrust, was released in early 2005 and was followed up with Human the Death Dance in 2007.
One of Francis' best-known tracks is "Makeshift Patriot", a commentary on the American media recorded one month after the September 11, 2001 attacks which he released on the internet as an MP3 as well as a limited edition 7" single.
In February 2005 Sage dropped his second full length album on the originally punk label Epitaph, it was widely regarded as the best underground hip hop album of the year by critics and fans alike and featured heavily political tracks such as "The Buzz Kill" and "Slow Down Gandhi" and more personal material like that more similar to that of his debut 'Personal Journals' such as 'Bridle' and a few heavily satirical comments on the modern day rap and urban scene such as the satirical comment on youth gun culture 'Gunz Yo'.
Sage has helped to set up the Wiki KnowMore.org which is described as a 'way to keep tabs on the some of the biggest and most dangerous businesses in the world'. He is a vegetarian and also chooses to abstain from drugs and drinking, though doesn't label himself as "straight-edge" because he believes "you shouldn't define yourself by what you don't do."
Sage has set up his own label and signed some of who he claims to be his favorite artists of the moment such as Buck 65 and Proplyphic and Reanimator named Strange Famous (which shares his initials) with which he released his most recent work 'Human the Death Dance'
This album was released in May 2007 and takes a step away from the heavily political 'Healthy Distrust' and heads back to the more personal lyrics of 'Personal Journals' and comments on modern culture. The album features cameos from many Strange Famous artists such as Buddy Wakefield, Buck 65 and Reanimator.
In 2010 Sage released his fourth full length album Li(f)e (the title coming from the famous quote from 'The Cure' on the Non-Prophets album Hope "Life is just a lie with an f in it and death is definite"). The album was extremely well received and one particular single off of the album 'The Best Of Times' received extensive air play on the popular British radio station Radio 1. After Sages Li(f)e tour Sage has stated that he will no longer be doing tours but will still be releasing albums and other materials, instead he will be doing select gigs throughout each year.
On 3 June 2014, Sage released his fifth studio album 'Copper Gone'. It is the first official studio album after Sage Francis announced his hiatus, which lasted for four years.
Broccoli Break
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you boil Broccoli
Its texture, the color is so wonderful
I'm simply amazed
As a housewife right now
Why don't you serve this to George Bush?
That he wasn't too crazy about Broccoli
And it actually made the news
I never imagined Broccoli
Could be put together
With something so sweet like this
And the yogurt isn't so overpowering either
To think he went to the extent of being
Well, you could say, an evangelist of Broccoli
An ambassador of some sorts
Now, that's just greatness, really?
The song "Broccoli Break" by Sage Francis is a unique take on hip-hop that blends together mundane, everyday life with clever wordplay and social commentary. The lyrics describe an experience in which the singer is impressed by someone's ability to cook broccoli, particularly the texture and color of the vegetable. The singer is so impressed with this person's cooking that they suggest serving the dish to former US President George Bush, who famously stated that he was not a fan of broccoli. The song explores the idea that even the simplest things in life can bring us joy and that we should appreciate the little things.
The lyrics also touch on the power of influence and the idea that one person can make a significant impact on the world through their actions. The person who made the delicious broccoli dish is referred to as an "evangelist of Broccoli" and an "ambassador of some sorts." The song suggests that we can all have a positive impact on the world by spreading our passions and sharing what we love with others.
Overall, the song's lyrics are a playful and lighthearted take on the power of small things and the influence we can have on the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
That's dope, that's fresh
The singer is praising the delicious taste of the broccoli dish.
The way you boil Broccoli
The singer is admiring the cooking technique used for preparing the broccoli.
Its texture, the color is so wonderful
The singer is complementing the visual and tactile appeal of the broccoli dish.
I'm simply amazed
The artist is overwhelmed with surprise and wonderment by the dish.
As a housewife right now
The artist is jokingly suggesting that they are experiencing the culinary delights from a housewife's perspective.
Why don't you serve this to George Bush?
The singer is humorously suggesting that the dish is so good that even George Bush - who had famously disliked broccoli - would enjoy it.
You know, he once told the press
The singer is referring to a past incident involving George Bush and broccoli.
That he wasn't too crazy about Broccoli
The artist is retelling George Bush's reported dislike for broccoli.
And it actually made the news
The artist is indicating that the story had received widespread attention from the media.
I never imagined Broccoli
The artist is expressing surprise and skepticism about the culinary potential of broccoli.
Could be put together
The singer is impressed by the creative combination of broccoli with other sweet ingredients.
With something so sweet like this
The artist is referring to the other sweet ingredient that is part of the dish.
And the yogurt isn't so overpowering either
The singer is appreciating the subtlety of the yogurt in the dish's flavor profile.
To think he went to the extent of being
The singer is acknowledging George Bush's staunch opposition to broccoli.
Well, you could say, an evangelist of Broccoli
The singer is playfully describing George Bush's efforts to promote broccoli as a healthy food.
An ambassador of some sorts
The artist is suggesting that George Bush was representing the interests of the broccoli industry in his advocacy of the vegetable.
Now, that's just greatness, really?
The artist is using sarcasm to comment on George Bush's purported 'greatness' in his support of broccoli.
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheche Garcia
on Buckets Of Silence
I never held a funeral for that big part of me that died.
I need to put these thoughts to rest. i need to find a peace of mind.
I need to piece my mind, find a piece of mind to rest in.
need to find someone to confide in, and with the rest i need to start restin'.
needless to say, i couldn't hide.
fifteen grown men shouldn't cry.
Cheche Garcia
on Message Sent
I've got some letters inside of my drawer
that should have been stamped and delivered
One is addressed to my ex
it says I'm the type of kid who can't be lived with
One is addressed to my friends
it says I'm a mess so y'all can't visit
One is addressed to myself
but I don't know what personality or hand to give it