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.
Killing Time
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, this is Sage representin Secret Service, yo
Welcome to my world kid I've been waitin for a long time
You come with memories and leave with a free will and a strong mind
It's all fine I hope your girl came prepared
My facial hair is like a web I'm catchin knowledge in my beard
Not much is kept though, I let go into the dying hunger
Why am I younger than you thought I was? be patient
Soon enough you'll see through my physical into a soul that's ancient
My mental age exceeds my chronological it seems illogical
Full comprehension remains marginal
Fully phenomenal wait forever for invasion
Time, it ain't nothin but an unsolved equation
My mind is a prefound universe filled with curse words
My rhyme is a release of peace thought as I disperse verbs
Design a plan of escape into oblivion
Seriously I can't withstand the land that we're both living in
Come with me and give me support, supply assistance
We'll drive the distance and probably die in the persistence
Of breaking free from the age old constraints
Infinity continues, the life force curls fate
The energy drains from the power surges, devoured the urges
The fear is primal when the final hour emerges
Procrastinate and wait until the last minute
My ass is in it, to win, for an infinite
Number of light years as I fight fears that I felt
Since time began let my mind expand with no help
Trying to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
Putting a chill in my spine, ready and willing I'm
Killing Time
Couldn't be no iller crime
Trying to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
Killing Time
Before I reach my prime
Killing time, Killing time
I grab ahold of the hour hand that's got too much power man
Devouring my hopes every now and then
I try to break it down again Go from plan A through Z
Smoothly my mission turns into a murder mystery movie
Move me into a better rap protection witness program
Don't understand Time is no time to have fear for no man
Your whole clan could hold scams I got schemes that ain't been tried before
That's what you're dying for I'm hiding from the law
Ducking cops, aimlessly bucking shots
Open one day for a lucky hit and time *ucking stops
Line up for props I'm out to get mine with a time-seeking tech nine
Get the job done before my deadline
My schedule's tight I'm knocking off years on my calendar
Decades of game play without a challenger
My excalibur is getting cold and rusty can't get a soul to trust me
Time took its toll and left me old and dusty
Whew! Blow off the dust mites I just might bust mics
Put up fights throw fisticuffs and thrust strikes
With enough might to hold it off in the meantime
Cuz Time ain't nice I'm climbing for life so I don't mind the price
I have to pay day after day to make the laughter stay
And teardrops fade away
Understand the plan, scheme, scam, and plot
Remove your lips from the bottle and your hammer from the glock
I'm tryin to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
Putting a chill in my spine ready and willing I'm
Killing Time I'm killing killing time
Trying to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
I'm Killing Time
The song "Killing Time" by Sage Francis is a deep reflection on the artist's relationship with time. The verses start off with Sage welcoming the listener to his world, expressing his eagerness to pass on his knowledge and insights to others. He talks about his facial hair being like a web, as he catches knowledge in his beard, but points out that not much is kept, and he lets go of his thoughts into the dying hunger. Sage talks about how his mental age exceeds his chronological one, and his full comprehension remains marginal, which seems illogical. He goes on to say that he is tired of living in a world constrained by time and is ready to break free from age-old constraints.
Sage then goes on to talk about how trying to make the clock draw blood while he spills his time is a way of killing time. He compares this act to murder and talks about devouring his hopes of breaking down the hour hand that holds too much power. He tries to break down his plan into A through Z and explains that his mission turns into a murder mystery movie. Sage talks about how he is hiding from the law and avoiding cops, and how he is climbing for life so he doesn't mind the price he has to pay. He ends the song by saying that he is trying to make the clock draw blood while he spills his time, which is his way of killing time.
Overall, "Killing Time" is a song that reflects on Sage Francis's relationship with time, and how he is trying to escape the constraining nature of the clock. The lyrics are full of metaphors and clever wordplay, making it a deep and introspective piece of work.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to my world kid I've been waitin for a long time
The singer welcomes the listener to their world and expresses that they have been waiting for a while for this moment to come.
You come with memories and leave with a free will and a strong mind
The singer acknowledges that the listener has come with their own experiences but will leave with a sense of independence and strength.
It's all fine I hope your girl came prepared
The singer says that everything is okay and expresses a hope that the listener's significant other is ready for what's to come.
My facial hair is like a web I'm catchin knowledge in my beard
The artist metaphorically compares their facial hair to a web that catches knowledge and wisdom.
Not much is kept though, I let go into the dying hunger
The artist does not hold onto much and surrenders their desires to a feeling of emptiness.
I'm catching teardrops on my tongue from the crying thunder
The singer is metaphorically catching their own tears that have been brought on by a situation that is emotionally charged.
Why am I younger than you thought I was? be patient
The singer addresses a perceived age difference and tells the listener to be patient in order to understand the singer's true wisdom.
Soon enough you'll see through my physical into a soul that's ancient
The artist predicts that the listener will eventually see past the physical form and into the ancient soul within them.
My mental age exceeds my chronological it seems illogical
The artist reveals that they are mentally more advanced than their physical age suggests, which seems unconventional.
Full comprehension remains marginal
The artist says they only have a partial understanding of things, despite their mental superiority.
Fully phenomenal wait forever for invasion
The singer has a remarkable state of being and is waiting endlessly for an opportunity to fully express themselves.
Time, it ain't nothin but an unsolved equation
The artist asserts that time is a complex and unsolved concept.
My mind is a prefound universe filled with curse words
The singer perceives their thoughts and ideas as a vast and profound cosmic expanse, which includes profanity.
My rhyme is a release of peace thought as I disperse verbs
The singer's words and rhymes bring them a sense of calm and allow them to express their thoughts to others.
Design a plan of escape into oblivion
The singer suggests creating a plan to escape from existence and the world as it is known.
Seriously I can't withstand the land that we're both living in
The artist seriously can't bear to live in the world with the listener.
Come with me and give me support, supply assistance
The artist invites the listener to assist them in escaping the current reality.
We'll drive the distance and probably die in the persistence
The singer and listener will push themselves to the limit and may even perish in their efforts to escape the current reality.
Of breaking free from the age old constraints
The singer desires to break the shackles of traditional constraints that hold them in place.
Infinity continues, the life force curls fate
The artist believes that the infinite continues and that fate is shaped by the force of life.
The energy drains from the power surges, devoured the urges
The artist's energy is depleted by the surge of powerful emotions and desires.
The fear is primal when the final hour emerges
The fear that the artist feels when approaching the end of their life is primal and instinctual.
Procrastinate and wait until the last minute
The singer admits to delaying and waiting until the last possible moment to take action.
My ass is in it, to win, for an infinite number of light years as I fight fears that I felt
The artist acknowledges that they are fully committed and will continue to fight their fears for an infinite amount of time.
Since time began let my mind expand with no help
The singer reflects on the beginning of time and declares their intention to expand their mind without outside assistance.
Trying to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
The singer is attempting to defy time and is sacrificing their own life force while doing so.
Putting a chill in my spine, ready and willing I'm Killing Time
The singer is determined to push themselves to the limit and is prepared to kill time in order to do so.
Couldn't be no iller crime
The artist is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it is considered morally wrong, to defy the constraints of time.
Before I reach my prime Killing time, Killing time
The artist believes that time is standing in the way of them reaching their full potential and is prepared to kill time to do so.
I grab ahold of the hour hand that's got too much power man
The singer is seizing control of the hour hand, which represents the power of time itself.
Devouring my hopes every now and then
The power of time is diminishing the singer's hope and future prospects bit by bit.
I try to break it down again Go from plan A through Z
The artist is constantly attempting to develop new strategies to overcome time's power, even if that means starting with Plan A and eventually reaching Plan Z.
Smoothly my mission turns into a murder mystery movie
The artist's plan to overcome time is not always straightforward and sometimes resembles a complex and layered murder mystery plot.
Move me into a better rap protection witness program
The artist desires to be moved into a safer environment to protect their craft and expertise.
Don't understand Time is no time to have fear for no man
The singer believes that one should not fear time or its power.
Your whole clan could hold scams I got schemes that ain't been tried before
The artist has unconventional plans to overcome time and is not afraid to take risks to do so.
That's what you're dying for I'm hiding from the law
The listener may be interested in the singer's plans, but the singer must hide from the law to avoid repercussions for their actions.
Ducking cops, aimlessly bucking shots
The singer is actively avoiding the police and may take random shots of action to evade them.
Open one day for a lucky hit and time *ucking stops
The singer is waiting for a lucky break in order to finally stop the relentless march of time.
Line up for props I'm out to get mine with a time-seeking tech nine
The artist is determined to get what they deserve and will do so using a powerful and precise weapon that seeks out time itself.
Get the job done before my deadline
The artist is aware of their own time constraints and is actively working to complete their task before it is too late.
My schedule's tight I'm knocking off years on my calendar
The singer has a strict schedule and is actively trying to remove years from their life in order to meet their goals.
Decades of game play without a challenger
The singer has been playing this game for decades and has yet to encounter a worthy opponent or challenge to their tactics.
My excalibur is getting cold and rusty can't get a soul to trust me
The artist's most prized possession (their weapon of choice) is losing its shine and they are struggling to gain the trust of others.
Time took its toll and left me old and dusty
The artist's constant battle with time has had a toll on their being and has left them feeling old and worn out.
Whew! Blow off the dust mites I just might bust mics
The artist is shaking off the dust and getting ready to show off their skills once again.
Put up fights throw fisticuffs and thrust strikes
The singer is prepared to put up a fight and defend themselves using their fists and quick movements.
With enough might to hold it off in the meantime Cuz Time ain't nice I'm climbing for life so I don't mind the price
The artist has the strength to hold off time for the time being, but is aware that this battle may require everything they have and more.
I have to pay day after day to make the laughter stay
The singer pays a daily price in order to keep their laughter and joy alive despite the weight of their situation.
And teardrops fade away
The singer finds peace in the fact that their tears will eventually dry up and be no more.
Understand the plan, scheme, scam, and plot
The singer desires that the listener fully understands the complex plan, scheme, scam, and plot to overcome time.
Remove your lips from the bottle and your hammer from the glock
The artist advises the listener to put down their vice (such as alcohol) and their weapon in order to focus on the task at hand.
I'm tryin to make the clock draw blood while I be spilling mine
The artist is sacrificing their own life force to strike back at time and its power.
Putting a chill in my spine ready and willing I'm Killing Time
The singer is fully committed to their plan to kill time, even though it fills them with fear and chills up their spine.
I'm killing killing time
The singer is resolute in their mission to kill time and will stop at nothing until they achieve their goal.
Contributed by Jackson C. 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