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.
Drop Bass
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's out there in the popular culture
And what's going on in
The more traditionalarts
Then you have something that is mind blowing
I see the moon rise before the
Sun got a chance to set
A game of advanced Roulette
The romance of sweat got me
Feelin' things I can't forget
I question life but ain't been
Asked for answers yet inventing dance steps
Your man slept
On my appearance and got his pants wet
Origin and essence fuck a Lexus
Champagne and a diamond necklace
Yo, stop being restless
Commercialism's hip hop's death wish
I battle both sex for a
Rolex on your left wrist
Run some crazy shit
Rappin' like they're in a Scorsese flick
Lazy with their lyrics
The predicament that I’m in
They’ll be rhymin’ in I talian
Millions of civilians became Godfathers
With no children
Ignorance has been driven to far
It's givin' my wisdom a Scar like
The one on your Face
Smokin' izm with y'all
That ain't the system of Allah ha ha
I love God, while you love to drop bass
Too busy pickin’ up the treble cause
Levels are out of place
While heads disgrace I catch a
Redface from stress signals
The music’s just a way to make
The women’s ass and chest jiggle
Most of these rap stars can
Pass as sex symbols more publicity
When the industry flash the next single
It's simple but you don't know if they
Laugh with or laugh at you
Their activity is ass tissue
Blow a fast whistle on ass nipples
Who say they blast a pistol
Why'd they have to shape shift?
You went from up to down and
Couldn't elevate with a face lift
So, take this message as
A tasteless breakfast
To feed your mind while Sage
And Vocab made this checklist
But rap tramps would rather blast
Stamps with a lap dance
When I'm in good spirit's
Maybe I'll save their souls
Manifesting the form of a hip hop beat
People swarm if they stop in the street
Before I'm gone I got 'em clappin'
Their hands and stompin' their feet
Ignorance has been driven too far
It's givin' my wisdom a Scar like
The one on your Face
Smokin' izm with y'all
That ain't the system of Allah ha ha
I love God, while you love to drop bass
We're too busy pickin' up the treble
Cause level's are out of place
Ayo my man Joe Beats he loves to drop bass
My son Jeru, yo he loves to drop bass
Bass
Bass
Bass
Bass
To busy pickin' up the treble cause
Level's are out of place
The lyrics to Sage Francis's song "Drop Bass" touch on several themes and ideas. The opening lines discuss the tension between popular culture and more traditional arts, suggesting that when these two elements collide, it can create something truly remarkable. The following lines depict a sense of rebellion and defiance, with references to playing a dangerous game, feeling things that can't be forgotten, and questioning life without being asked for answers. The lyrics also criticize materialism and commercialism, with lines like "Origin and essence, fuck a Lexus" and "Commercialism's hip hop's death wish." Sage Francis contrasts himself with other rappers who are lazy with their lyrics and prioritize fame and sex appeal over meaningful expression. He mocks their fake personas and calls out their lack of authenticity. Throughout the song, Sage Francis asserts his love for God and his dedication to his craft, using hip hop music as a way to make a difference and challenge societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Tension, that kind of dialect between
There is a conflict between
What's out there in the popular culture
The mainstream culture and its influences
And what's going on in
Contrasted with
The more traditional arts
The arts that maintain their historical roots and values
Then you have something that is mind blowing
A truly remarkable and profound experience
I see the moon rise before the
I observe the moon appearing before
Sun got a chance to set
The sun even has the opportunity to set
I use God's tool to play
I utilize a divine instrument to engage
A game of advanced Roulette
A risky game of chance that surpasses the norm
The romance of sweat got me
The passionate connection of perspiration compels me
Feelin' things I can't forget
Experiencing emotions that leave an indelible mark
I question life but ain't been
I ponder existence but haven't been
Asked for answers yet inventing dance steps
Presented with solutions while creating new dance moves
Your man slept
Your partner slumbered
On my appearance and got his pants wet
My presence aroused him intensely
Origin and essence fuck a Lexus
The true source and core dismiss material possessions
Champagne and a diamond necklace
Wealthy symbols of luxury and opulence
Yo, stop being restless
Cease being impatient
Commercialism's hip hop's death wish
The pursuit of profit is detrimental to hip-hop
I battle both sex for a
I struggle against both genders to obtain
Rolex on your left wrist
A prestigious watch placed on your left arm
Run some crazy shit
Perform some outrageous actions
Rappin' like they're in a Scorsese flick
Rapping as if they were characters in a Martin Scorsese film
Lazy with their lyrics
Lackadaisical in their lyrical content
The predicament that I’m in
The difficult situation that I find myself in
They’ll be rhymin’ in Italian
They will perform rap in Italian
Millions of civilians became Godfathers
Numerous ordinary people assumed the role of powerful figures
With no children
Despite not having any progeny
Ignorance has been driven too far
Lack of knowledge has reached an extreme level
It's givin' my wisdom a Scar like
It's causing my wisdom to be marked like
The one on your Face
Similar to the scar on your face
Smokin' izm with y'all
Participating in smoking cannabis with all of you
That ain't the system of Allah ha ha
That does not conform to the ideology of Allah
I love God, while you love to drop bass
I have a deep devotion to God, whereas you prioritize bass-heavy music
Too busy pickin’ up the treble cause
Too preoccupied with adjusting the treble because
Levels are out of place
The overall audio balance is incorrect
While heads disgrace I catch a
As others bring shame, I encounter a
Redface from stress signals
Blushing due to signs of strain
The music’s just a way to make
The music is merely a means to
The women’s ass and chest jiggle
Make the buttocks and breasts of women shake
Most of these rap stars can
The majority of these rap celebrities are capable of
Pass as sex symbols more publicity
Be considered attractive figures with additional media attention
When the industry flash the next single
When the industry promotes the upcoming song aggressively
It's simple but you don't know if they
It's straightforward, but you are uncertain whether they
Laugh with or laugh at you
Are laughing alongside you or mocking you
Their activity is ass tissue
Their actions are worthless
Blow a fast whistle on ass nipples
Expose the fraudulent claims of a person
Who say they blast a pistol
Individuals who claim to frequently discharge firearms
Why'd they have to shape shift?
Why did they have to change their form?
You went from up to down and
You transitioned from a superior to an inferior position and
Couldn't elevate with a face lift
Failed to improve even with a surgical facelift
So, take this message as
Therefore, perceive this message as
A tasteless breakfast
An unpalatable morning meal
To feed your mind while Sage
To nourish your intellect while Sage
And Vocab made this checklist
Alongside Vocab, compiled this list
But rap tramps would rather blast
However, promiscuous rappers prefer to loudly play
Stamps with a lap dance
Explicitly showcasing dancing on their laps
When I'm in good spirit's
When I am in high and positive moods
Maybe I'll save their souls
Perhaps I will rescue their souls
Manifesting the form of a hip hop beat
Materializing as a hip-hop rhythm
People swarm if they stop in the street
Crowds gather when they pause on the street
Before I'm gone I got 'em clappin'
Before I depart, I have them applauding
Their hands and stompin' their feet
Their hands and feet vigorously expressing enthusiasm
Ayo my man Joe Beats he loves to drop bass
Hey, my friend Joe Beats thoroughly enjoys playing bass-heavy music
My son Jeru, yo he loves to drop bass
My son Jeru, he too has a strong passion for bass-heavy music
Bass
The low-frequency sound
Bass
Bass
Bass
Bass
Bass
Bass
Too busy pickin' up the treble cause
Too preoccupied with adjusting the treble because
Level's are out of place
The overall audio balance is incorrect
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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