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.
Crack Pipes
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the peeps said I wouldn't laugh
Don't make me laugh, don't make me laugh
[Sage Francis]
I'd give a twenty one gunshot salute
With a toy rifle you bought me but it won't shoot
And all is well because there's been one too many shots
Stop the presses, there's been an update
Delivered via 1:30 AM phone call
When an only half-informative sauce talks discretely
Meet me-- at the family room at the side of the Intensive Care Unit
Immediately, I'll carry a tune
The sirens so loud, can't hear my music
Keep free-- of negative thoughts, everything'll be fine
We all assume... That it would go back to the way things were
That it would go back to normal soon
Saw the moon in a way that I never seen it before
When I looked up that night into the sky wondering why
Lookin' for answers, guess I ain't ask right
I'm guessin most of y'all out there know exactly what that's like
What that's like, now tell me what's that like?
It's like a whirlwind of emotions occurs when moms and dads fight
It's like when a girl grins, an emotion of hers
That holds your arm, and grabs tight
Hurl him into the ocean, one of them cold sweat heat flash types
With extreme fluctuations and temperature changes
Have been known to crack pipes...
...crack pipes...crack pipes...
Meet me-- half way in a gold, extra length just to help your strength
Meet me-- at the AA meeting, needing to take more then 12 steps
Bring me to your hiding place, so I can face your vice grip
I'll chisel every single monkey off your back with this ice pick
Come meet up with me on the sidelines when the game is over
Just to say hello, then afterwards, backstage
To let me know that you enjoyed the show
And go to grandma's house for Sunday dinner
Sit at the table take away the fatal flaw
you made the day before, I seen you bleed
Meet me-- on Christmas Eve, we can fight but make up before you leave
Make peace with the rest of those that rest in pieces on my dreams
Meet me at the fork in the road where lost souls get decisive
Meet me at the crossroads so I can have someone to walk into the light with
In Sage Francis's song "Crack Pipes," he starts with a random sample of people telling him not to laugh, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics explore different situations in life where people face difficult challenges and are trying to cope with them. The opening line, "I'd give a twenty-one gunshot salute," is a reference to a military honor where 21 soldiers fire three volleys of blanks into the air to pay tribute to someone who has died. However, in this case, it's with a toy rifle that won't shoot, reflecting a sense of frustration and helplessness.
The song reflects on themes of addiction and recovery, from detox programs to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The lyrics also suggest a longing to connect with others and find meaning in life, as well as an awareness of mortality and the passage of time. Sage Francis references the moon and the changing seasons as symbols of the cyclical nature of life, and he encourages listeners to hold on to positive thoughts and make peace with the past.
Overall, "Crack Pipes" is a poignant and introspective song that explores some of the deepest and most complex aspects of human experience. It raises questions about the nature of addiction, the power of community, and the need for human connection, and encourages listeners to find strength and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd give a twenty one gunshot salute
I would honor you with a toy rifle that doesn't function, because too many real shots have been fired
And all is well because there's been one too many shots
Despite the tragedy of excessive violence, there is a sense of numbness and acceptance
The sterile robots want to talk to me about Detox
Medical professionals speak coldly of addiction treatment, lacking personal investment
When an only half-informative sauce talks discretely
Inadequate details about a crisis are shared surreptitiously
Meet me-- at the family room at the side of the Intensive Care Unit
Let's gather in the emotional space near the ICU of the hospital
The sirens so loud, can't hear my music
The commotion of emergencies drowns out the comfort of music
We all assume... That it would go back to the way things were
Despite evidence to the contrary, we hold onto hope for a return to normalcy
Saw the moon in a way that I never seen it before
Personal tumult can cause a person to view the world in a new, unfamiliar way
When I looked up that night into the sky wondering why
Contemplating the inexplicable, searching for answers
Lookin' for answers, guess I ain't ask right
Despite seeking enlightenment, a lack of knowledge or experience hinders understanding
It's like when a girl grins, an emotion of hers
It is akin to detecting an underlying emotion through someone's subtle expression
With extreme fluctuations and temperature changes
The physiological effects of drug addiction can cause sudden and intense physical symptoms
Have been known to crack pipes...
Drug abuse causes harm to both the user and their paraphernalia
Meet me-- half way in a gold, extra length just to help your strength
Let's compromise, meeting each other halfway and boosting each other's resilience
Bring me to your hiding place, so I can face your vice grip
Reveal your secrets to me, so I can help you overcome your addiction
Come meet up with me on the sidelines when the game is over
Join me after the business is concluded, for a more personal connection
And go to grandma's house for Sunday dinner
Retreat to the comforting familiarity of family and home, after difficult experiences
Meet me-- on Christmas Eve, we can fight but make up before you leave
Even during tense times, we can reconcile and cherish the time we have together
Meet me at the fork in the road where lost souls get decisive
Let's find each other at a crucial moment, when we must choose our path
Meet me at the crossroads so I can have someone to walk into the light with
Join me on the path towards positivity and self-improvement, as we support each other
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: SIXTOO, SAGE FRANCIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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