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.
Can I Kick It?
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I kick it? (yes you can) {*3X*}
Well I'm gone (go on then)
Can I kick it, to all my people who get wicked like Sage does
before this did you know what my real name was
Paul Francis acting like he's on the same drugs
Never even felt the authects of a strange buzz
Your talking shit like as if you was a real thug
if that's true lick a shot BUCK feel the slug
that's what you get for totin guns like you were Elmer Fudd
I'm selling tapes for three bones wanna catch a dub?
this shit is dope kid it makes you wanna cut the rug
Illuminati's got every part of my body bugged
the micro chip is in your wrist now give it a tug
be nice to females, give a bitch a hug
Triple X styles comin cleaner than your tub
you better tell your girl about it because she's a scrub
A big brow never had a nip in the bud
droppin me her seven digits while i'm in the club
talkin bout I look I need a back rub
son she's a natural disaster like a flash flood
i ain't playin dawg you better go test her blood
until your positive she's negative don't make no love
with or without a glove, you know what i'm speaking of
the cub scouts try and jump into the briney shrubs
behind the bush turn a back push into a shove
what you thinkin tryin bring the underground above?
AOI make you cry like a dove,for that shit,for that shit
(chorus)
In the song "Can I Kick It?" by Sage Francis, the rapper addresses his audience with a series of rhetorical questions, asking if he has permission to "kick it" (perform) and if his listeners are as "wicked" as he is. He then goes on to talk about himself, revealing that his real name is Paul Francis and that he has never experienced a "strange buzz" from drugs. He uses this to contrast his own clean lifestyle with those who talk tough and carry guns but don't actually live that life.
As the song continues, Sage Francis touches on a number of topics, including his music ("selling tapes for three bones"), conspiracy theories ("Illuminati's got every part of my body bugged"), and relationships ("be nice to females, give a bitch a hug"). He also mocks those who try to bring the underground hip hop scene into the mainstream, calling them out for being fake and selling out. The song ends with the chorus repeating once more before Sage Francis declares that he's gone.
Overall, "Can I Kick It?" is a self-referential song that showcases Sage Francis's skills as a rapper and his willingness to buck trends and be authentic. Through the use of clever wordplay and catchy rhymes, he takes on a variety of topics and establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with in the underground hip hop scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I kick it, to all my people who get wicked like Sage does
Can I use my unique style and voice to connect with those who share my energy and passion?
before this did you know what my real name was
Do you truly know me and my identity beyond my stage persona?
Paul Francis acting like he's on the same drugs
As Sage Francis, I perform and create as if I'm under the influence of drugs, but in reality it's just me being myself.
Never even felt the authects of a strange buzz
I don't need drugs to be creative or unique in my approach.
You never ever catch me holding a beer mug
I don't need alcohol to have fun or be social.
Your talking shit like as if you was a real thug
You're trying to sound tough or intimidating, but you're not actually living that lifestyle.
if that's true lick a shot BUCK feel the slug
If you really want to be tough or intimidating, then you should be prepared for violent consequences.
that's what you get for totin guns like you were Elmer Fudd
Carrying guns doesn't make you a cool or big shot, it just makes you look silly or foolish.
I'm selling tapes for three bones wanna catch a dub?
Do you want to buy my music for a good price and support my creativity and craft?
this shit is dope kid it makes you wanna cut the rug
My music is exciting and invigorating, it makes you want to dance and let loose.
Illuminati's got every part of my body bugged
Conspiracy theories about the Illuminati or government surveillance are all around us and can make one feel paranoid or insecure.
the micro chip is in your wrist now give it a tug
People may fear that microchips or tracking devices are already in our bodies or will be implanted soon.
be nice to females, give a bitch a hug
Treat women with respect and kindness, and don't use derogatory language or behavior towards them.
Triple X styles comin cleaner than your tub
My explicit or risqué music style is unique and innovative.
you better tell your girl about it because she's a scrub
Your girlfriend may have questionable or low standards, so you should make sure she knows about what you're saying.
A big brow never had a nip in the bud
I've never had a moment where I was truly ignorant, naive, or immature.
droppin me her seven digits while i'm in the club
I have women attracted to me and my talent, and they may give me their phone number or show interest in me.
talkin bout I look I need a back rub
She's trying to be flirtatious or suggestive, but she's not being subtle or smooth.
son she's a natural disaster like a flash flood
She's not someone you want to be involved with, because she's unpredictable and could cause problems or harm.
i ain't playin dawg you better go test her blood
I'm not joking or exaggerating, you should get her tested for sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
until your positive she's negative don't make no love
Don't engage in sexual activity until you're sure that both you and your partner are healthy and safe.
with or without a glove, you know what i'm speaking of
Whether you use protection or not, you should always prioritize your sexual health and safety.
the cub scouts try and jump into the briney shrubs
People who are inexperienced or unprepared often struggle or fail when taking on new challenges.
behind the bush turn a back push into a shove
If you're not careful or aware of your surroundings, a simple action or mistake can quickly escalate and turn violent.
what you thinkin tryin bring the underground above?
Why would you try to commercialize or mainstream underground or alternative music culture?
AOI make you cry like a dove,for that shit,for that shit
My artistic collective (AOI) creates impactful and emotional art that can make you feel and connect with others.
(chorus) Can I kick it? (yes you can) {*3X*} Well I'm gone (go on then)
Can I express myself and connect with my fans? Yes, I can. And now that my message is delivered, I'm ready to move on.
Contributed by Joshua N. 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