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.
Follow Me Snippet Verse
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like to creep in the night
But I speak under my breath to be polite
I'm talking about you
Unconspicuous keep killing that sweet feeling
The mystique's building
I only speak to the freakishly sheep children
For some cheap thrill thing
As long as its of discrete billing
I am expected to get murdered by bombs
So I open up my mailbox with surgical tongs
Rubbing antibacterial paste on my virginal palms
Let me guess the littlest complex in Oedipus works for my momz
I've heard of the song by the guy
What's his face who say's those things
I love that song
I think its called ambiguity
And the music be
Handed to you and me
In the form of animal cruelty
I'm heading to the laboratory
To free some mice today
Heading back to the lab
To prove the skin color of Jesus Christ is gray
Impressionable minds have nothing even nice to say
Your brain is putty in my hands
My man it seems just like some clay
See I'm strange
I'll take my time to rearrange
Your frame of mind
You'll want to be the Sage wait in line
With the rest of them grape vines
Swinging idiots
You ain't busting no grape and making wine
You ain't duplicating my rhyming bitch
I'm older and dirtier than that bastard baby Jesus is
Masturbating penises in a alley way where she just is
Thinking that's enough and it is
Asking can I live
Is the way these asinine kids imply that they are dead
Already they are
Get in your car
Release the breaks
Put it in neutral
I won't steer you wrong
This way to the future
Follow along
Come follow me
In this snippet verse of Sage Francis's song "Follow Me," the lyrics delve into the persona of a secretive individual who prefers to operate in the shadows. This person takes pleasure in creeping around at night and speaking softly to maintain a sense of politeness. The lyrics suggest that the subject is referencing someone specific, possibly an unfathomable character who continues to kill the pleasant feelings within them. There is an air of mystery surrounding this individual, leading them to only engage with those who possess an eccentric and unconventional nature ("freakishly sheep children").
The lyrics mention a willingness to engage in superficial transactions using a discreet credit card billing, indicating a subversive and covert nature. The mention of potential murder by bombs adds to the enigmatic atmosphere, with the subject taking precautionary measures such as using surgical tongs to open their mailbox. They apply antibacterial paste to their hands, seemingly in an attempt to cleanse themselves of any potential danger. The reference to Oedipus implies a complex relationship with their mother, insinuating unresolved psychological issues.
Reference is made to a song and its ambiguous lyrics, which the subject loves. This seems to contrast with the previously mentioned discretion and secrecy, as the subject acknowledges their admiration for a piece of music that might be considered cryptic. They speak of receiving music in a metaphorical sense, as if it were passed down to them, and the form it takes is "animal cruelty." This suggests a dark and unconventional taste in music.
Additional lyrical themes touch on animal rights, as the subject plans to free mice from a laboratory. They express a desire to prove that Jesus Christ's skin color is gray, challenging traditional perspectives. The lyrics also highlight the subject's ability to influence and manipulate others. They arrogantly claim to be able to reshape someone's mindset, transforming them into followers of the Sage. The verse concludes with an invitation to join the subject in the pursuit of a future that they will guide.
Line by Line Meaning
The secretive type
I prefer to keep my thoughts and actions hidden
I like to creep in the night
I enjoy moving discreetly during nighttime
But I speak under my breath to be polite
I talk quietly as not to disturb others
I'm talking about you
I am referring to someone specific
Unconspicuous keep killing that sweet feeling
Being unnoticeable maintains a pleasant atmosphere
The mystique's building
The sense of mystery is growing
I only speak to the freakishly sheep children
I only communicate with those who think differently
For some cheap thrill thing
To satisfy a momentary excitement
I'll be willing to make purchases on my credit card
I am prepared to buy things using my credit card
As long as its of discreet billing
As long as the transaction is kept private
I am expected to get murdered by bombs
There is an anticipation of being targeted by explosives
So I open up my mailbox with surgical tongs
I handle my mail cautiously and with extreme care
Rubbing antibacterial paste on my virginal palms
I cleanse my innocent hands with disinfectant
Let me guess the littlest complex in Oedipus works for my momz
I assume that my mother has some unresolved psychological conflicts
I've heard of the song by the guy
I am aware of a song created by an artist
What's his face who say's those things
I cannot remember the artist's name, but I appreciate their lyrics
I love that song
I have a strong affinity for that particular song
I think its called ambiguity
I believe the song is titled 'Ambiguity'
And the music be
The melody of the song
Handed to you and me
Given to both of us
In the form of animal cruelty
Expressed through acts of harm towards animals
I'm heading to the laboratory
I am going to the lab
To free some mice today
To release mice from captivity
Heading back to the lab
Returning to the laboratory
To prove the skin color of Jesus Christ is gray
To present evidence that Jesus Christ's skin was gray
Impressionable minds have nothing even nice to say
Easily influenced individuals lack positive things to express
Your brain is putty in my hands
I have control over your thoughts and opinions
My man it seems just like some clay
It appears as though your mind is moldable
See I'm strange
I am peculiar
I'll take my time to rearrange
I will carefully change and adjust things
Your frame of mind
The way you think and perceive things
You'll want to be the Sage wait in line
You will desire to emulate and follow me
With the rest of them grape vines
Amongst the others who lack originality
Swinging idiots
Foolish individuals who are easily influenced
You ain't busting no grape and making wine
You are not achieving anything significant
You ain't duplicating my rhyming bitch
You are unable to imitate my style of rapping
I'm older and dirtier than that bastard baby Jesus is
My life experiences are more extensive and immoral than those of Jesus
Masturbating penises in a alley way where she just is
Engaging in sexual acts in a place where it is inappropriate
Thinking that's enough and it is
Believing that such actions are sufficient, which they are
Asking can I live
Inquiring if I am allowed to exist
Is the way these asinine kids imply that they are dead
These foolish young individuals express their desire not to exist
Already they are
They are already non-existent
Get in your car
Enter your vehicle
Release the breaks
Let go of the brakes
Put it in neutral
Switch the gear to neutral
I won't steer you wrong
I will guide you correctly
This way to the future
This direction leads to the future
Follow along
Come with me
Come follow me
Join me in my journey
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