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.
Hang Time
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know your name
And the hours that you operate are grave yard
Shift my body weight out the gates
He came, huh, like a thief in the night
This hell hounded off his leash
Teeth clenched tight you might know my face
When I taste a loved ones blood
My forked tongue
Make sure protect your next of kin
Take it like pain killers
Spill the pills of medicine
Right down the drain
Flush the evidence then claim your innocence
This shit just isn't their game
In fact, their rules don't apply here
It's a shame that you're going to die here
Underneath my thumb print
All over some dumb shit
Run quick cause you're about to get
Your punk ass beat in public
Like bang, bang, boogie
He beat down her door with
An alibi full of childhood
I killed time while it stood still for her
Moments must have adjusted accordingly
But on his watch
The minutes were fast, giving him whiplash
Beat by the hands of my clock
Lots can happen in an hour
For some days don't fly by
They make a crash landing
I flee by night and
Only return for emergencies
Just so I can listen to the ambulance sing
Sirens rang
The colors of the flashing lights
Painted the town red in
The blackest of nights
So i will not taint beauty
In the ugliest of moments
Its that strange side of a poet
I'm writing you out of my will
To live and let live
And to give you some perspective
I'm a changed man in that respect
You best get professional
Detectives and motion
Detectors to protect your relatives
That's as much warning as your ass will get
I hold my aim, this is an invite to my domain
Pick me up while I hitchhike on memory lane
Sit tight while I back seat drive you insane
And beat your brains until you
See nothing but pitch white
And keep you breathing just long enough to
Have you explain what it's like
And how you like it convince me
I want to believe
I want to believe that you bleed
I want to believe that you're bleeding
Just as much as she did
I'll experiment with your life until
I find it's fucking meaning
You will hang, hang bang, bang, boogie
She beat back her attackers with
A childhood full of alibis
As I understood, she had to lie
The battle cries must
Have adjusted accordingly
Her stopped calls for help
Never were answered back
And for that beat by the hands of my clock
Lots can happen in a matter of seconds
Ask for a repentance from a looking glass
Self shattered reflections
Before you blame your anger on adolescence
Listen to the symphony of ambulances sing
So beautiful so nice
Tell me where were you last night? As usual
You lied tell me where the fuck you hide
It goes bang, bang, boogie
Up jumps the party
I always notice when she has
New marks on her body
The lyrics to Sage Francis's song "Hang Time" tell a story of violence, control, and the desire for revenge. The singer, filled with anger and aggression, describes themselves as a dangerous and unpredictable force. They embrace their role as a tormentor, relishing in the pain and fear they inflict on others. The lyrics suggest a disturbing obsession with power and dominance, as the singer boasts about their ability to harm and manipulate others. They take pleasure in causing harm and seem to derive satisfaction from the control they have over their victims.
The song also explores the themes of time and the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics highlight the passing of time and how it affects relationships. There is a sense of urgency and unpredictability, as actions occur within fleeting moments. The singer makes references to clocks and watches, emphasizing the rapid speed at which events unfold. The consequences of these actions are explored through the imagery of ambulance sirens and flashing lights, suggesting that violence and chaos ultimately lead to destruction.
Overall, "Hang Time" delves into dark and unsettling themes, exploring the destructive nature of power and violence. The lyrics paint a visceral and chilling picture, revealing the distorted mindset of the singer and the pain they inflict on others.
Line by Line Meaning
Bang, bang, boogie up jumps the party
The party starts with excitement and energy
I know your name
I am familiar with who you are
And the hours that you operate are grave yard
You work during late hours, possibly doing shady activities
Shift my body weight out the gates
I quickly make an escape
He came, huh, like a thief in the night
He arrived unexpectedly, just like a sneaky thief
This hell hounded off his leash
He unleashed chaos and destruction
Teeth clenched tight you might know my face
You might recognize my intense and determined expression
Not the expression that it's left in
But not the aftermath of that expression
When I taste a loved ones blood
When I experience the pain and sorrow of losing someone close
My forked tongue
My deceitful and manipulative nature
Make sure protect your next of kin
Ensure the safety of your family and loved ones
Take it like pain killers
Handle the situation by numbing the pain, just like taking pain medication
Spill the pills of medicine
Dispose of the drugs that numb the pain
Right down the drain
Flush them away, getting rid of the evidence
Flush the evidence then claim your innocence
Dispose of the proof of wrongdoing and deny any involvement
This shit just isn't their game
They are not skilled or experienced in this type of situation
In fact, their rules don't apply here
The normal rules or expectations do not hold true in this scenario
It's a shame that you're going to die here
It's unfortunate that you will meet your end in this place
Underneath my thumb print
Under my control and influence
All over some dumb shit
Because of a trivial and insignificant matter
Run quick cause you're about to get
Flee rapidly because you are about to face
Your punk ass beat in public
A humiliating and violent public beating
He beat down her door with
He forcefully broke into her home using
An alibi full of childhood
An excuse that relates to his past
I killed time while it stood still for her
I wasted time while she was enduring a difficult situation
Moments must have adjusted accordingly
The circumstances must have changed to adapt
But on his watch
But under his control or supervision
The minutes were fast, giving him whiplash
Time seemed to pass quickly, causing a sudden jolt of surprise
Beat by the hands of my clock
Victimized by the passing of time in my life
Lots can happen in an hour
Many significant events can occur within a short span of time
For some days don't fly by
Some days do not pass quickly
They make a crash landing
They end abruptly and with great impact
I flee by night and
I escape under the cover of darkness and
Only return for emergencies
Only come back when there is a critical situation
Just so I can listen to the ambulance sing
Just to experience the chaotic sounds of emergency services
Sirens rang
The sounds of emergency sirens filled the air
The colors of the flashing lights
The vibrant hues of the flashing emergency lights
Painted the town red in
Caused a state of chaos and danger in
The blackest of nights
The darkest and most sinister times
So i will not taint beauty
I will not spoil or ruin something beautiful
In the ugliest of moments
Even in the midst of horrible situations
Its that strange side of a poet
It represents the unusual and mysterious aspects of being a poet
I'm writing you out of my will
I am removing you from my inheritance
To live and let live
To allow others to live their lives without interference
And to give you some perspective
And to provide you with a different point of view
I'm a changed man in that respect
I have transformed and grown in that aspect
You best get professional
You should seek the help of skilled and experienced
Detectives and motion
Investigators and surveillance
Detectors to protect your relatives
Sensors to ensure the safety of your family members
That's as much warning as your ass will get
That is the only caution you will receive
I hold my aim, this is an invite to my domain
I have a clear target and this is an invitation into my territory
Pick me up while I hitchhike on memory lane
Take me along as I reminisce about the past
Sit tight while I back seat drive you insane
Stay calm as I irritate and provoke you from the back seat
And beat your brains until you
And mentally exhaust you until you
See nothing but pitch white
See only a blinding white light
And keep you breathing just long enough to
And keep you alive for a short period of time, just so that
Have you explain what it's like
Make you describe and share your experience
And how you like it convince me
And try to persuade me about how you enjoy it
I want to believe
I desire to have faith or trust
I want to believe that you bleed
I want to believe that you suffer or feel pain
I want to believe that you're bleeding
I want to believe that you are experiencing physical harm
Just as much as she did
To the same extent as she did
I'll experiment with your life until
I will test and manipulate your existence until
I find it's fucking meaning
I understand its purpose and significance
You will hang, hang bang, bang, boogie
You will face the consequences, and it will be intense and chaotic
She beat back her attackers with
She fought off her assailants using
A childhood full of alibis
Memories from her past that provided excuses or explanations
As I understood, she had to lie
As far as I can comprehend, she was forced to deceive
The battle cries must
The shouts and screams in the midst of the fight probably
Have adjusted accordingly
Adapted and changed accordingly
Her stopped calls for help
Her desperate pleas for assistance that were ignored
Never were answered back
Never received a response or assistance
And for that beat by the hands of my clock
And because of this, she suffered and endured the passing of time in my life
Lots can happen in a matter of seconds
Significant events can occur within a very short period of time
Ask for a repentance from a looking glass
Seeking forgiveness or redemption while reflecting on oneself
Self shattered reflections
Broken and fragmented self-reflections
Before you blame your anger on adolescence
Before you attribute your anger to teenage years and immaturity
Listen to the symphony of ambulances sing
Pay attention to the cacophony of emergency sirens
So beautiful so nice
So wonderful and pleasant
Tell me where were you last night? As usual
Inform me of your whereabouts from the previous night, as per usual
You lied tell me where the fuck you hide
You deceived me, reveal where the hell you are hiding
It goes bang, bang, boogie
There is a burst of noise and chaos
Up jumps the party
The party suddenly becomes lively and energetic
I always notice when she has
I am always aware of when she has
New marks on her body
Fresh injuries or bruises on her physical being
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