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.
The Buzz Kill
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sage posses the newest and most revolutionary advance in split second presentation
As well as split second calculation
To protect the future of America
The defense techniques of tomorrow had to be discovered now
But Sage needed more than this
New concepts, new tools, new weapons
By analyzing the past, Sage can project into the future
I used to think that rappers had it figured out
Brass Monkey, St. Ides, Old English, and Guinness Stout
Once a man twice a boy with a choice of vice or voice of spite
Not enough poisons to pick to enjoy this life
Now I thought suicide was a suburban myth
I couldn't see my own hands being the ones I'm murdered with
That is until I traveled this world a bit
I understand now if I lose my nerve I'll get the girl to do it!
She heard the music but preferred the person, she's worth it
The only one I left behind the curtain to work with
Pushin' buttons and playin' with levers
We'll stay together as long as I'm honest in my songs
(Radio) Suckers never play this
Scared shitless of dismissing clear channel playlists
Poorly developed, yet highly advanced
The black music intertwined with the white man's line dance
Supersonic, super destructive, seemingly unresistable
On the job, around the clock, with twenty-four hour a day reliability
Constantly monitoring, pulse-taking, controlling
Into a continuous flow of interpretation, which could be understood at a glance
It's not only a time I'm kept
Busy with shivers and cold shakes
Sitting on snow banks
Waiting to be delivered some soul mates
Or wait
Lift and tuck my fate for several levels
Fill my body till they send me an empty face with the head of devils
My breath resembles the smell of flowers
Yanked from life, placed in a vase
Sits and wilts and watch 'em dies in the name of grave mistakes
That we all make
Believe that we're getting by treating ourselves wrong
Throw me a reindeer John letter party
And ill be there with bells on
Hell spawn
So if he calls the city hall
They still got the gall
To blame the victory on biggie smalls
From strip malls
To strip clubs
They slip drugs
Into the drinks that kids love
Tell us to drink up and get buzzed
This is the buzz kill jump into the saddle
Emerge from the dust kicked up in the uphill battle
With my guns drawn and sword out
Pointed towards the courthouse
I sort out words from my war torn mouth
I disassociate the actions with their meanings
Songs from "ends justify their means" mentality
Plus I'm bleeding
Give me a band-aid a band that can play
A fan base with hearing aids and a voice like a hand grenade
I pull the wool over their vision
Pull the pin and push it in 'em
Using women as a pin cushion
A super villain
With some war paint and jokes done in poor taste
We'll see who laughs last all the way to foreign banks
Ready to take over in a matter of seconds
to protect the future of America
Sage also has protection too
(Come on come on, feel it feel it)
The protection which comes with the possession weapons of retaliation
But is this protection enough?
(I was) I was be-boyin' in my former body
Singing all the songs at parties
Now I'm like don't let nobody
Through the door in the hotel lobby
I'd wear Armani if they endorse me
So people who are poor can rob me
Then forcefully sex me up
Color me confused when they paint issues black and white
Resuscitate their grey matter right back to life
It's my destiny she wants me she beckons
She left me for dead but death didn't want no sloppy seconds
I'm certified fresh
Our freedom kissed the French for their political dissent
Like I do it with tongue this time
And take that bovine blood out your wine
And take that statue back to the lab it was created at
Your huddled masses yearning to breath free
Take 'em back!
Your homeless tempest-tossed to me
Take 'em back!
The U-S-A has cracked
And as long as we're on guard
As long as we're ready to look ahead
To move ahead
The future of America is secure
In "The Buzz Kill", Sage Francis is introducing himself as a revolutionary fighter who has split-second presentation and split-second calculation. He is constructing a new concept, new tools, and new weapons to protect the future of America. He shows that, by analyzing the past, he can predict the future. Sage also expresses his thoughts on the music industry and the race relations that are prevalent in America. The recurring theme of the lyrics is rebellion against the system and striving towards the greater good.
In the first verse, Sage talks about how he used to think that rappers had it all together, but now he understands that there is much more to the world. He talks about how he used to think suicide was a myth, but now he has traveled the world and gained new insights. The second verse is a critique of the music industry and how certain types of music are promoted while others are ignored. Sage talks about how black music is intertwined with the white man's line dance, which is a metaphor for how the music industry is rigged against certain types of music.
Sage then goes on to express his thoughts about America and how the future of America is secure as long as people remain on guard and ready to move ahead. In the end, he leaves a message to bring back the huddled masses and homeless to America. "The Buzz Kill" is a lyrically complex piece that touches on several topics, such as the music industry, race relations, and America's future.
Line by Line Meaning
You are listening to the heartbeat of the Sage
Sage posses the newest, most revolutionary advance in split-second presentation
Sage possesses split-second calculation to protect the future of America
Sage has advanced techniques that will protect America's future from potential threats
The defense techniques of tomorrow had to be discovered now
Advanced defense techniques had to be discovered early to secure America's future
But Sage needed more than this new concepts, new tools, new weapons
Sage required new and innovative ideas, tools and weapons to stay ahead in the modern world of defense
Analyzing the past helps Sage project into the future
Sage analyzes past occurrences to accurately predict future events
Brass Monkey, St. Ides, Old English, and Guinness Stout
Various alcoholic beverages often associated with rap culture
Once a man twice a boy with a choice of vice or voice of spite
A man making choices that are detrimental to his wellbeing, despite knowing better
Suicide was a suburban myth
Suicide was not a real concern for him in his earlier years
If I lose my nerve, I'll get the girl to do it
If he cannot bring himself to commit suicide, he will find someone else to do it for him
She heard the music but preferred the person, she's worth it
She likes him for who he is, not just his music
Pushin' buttons and playin' with levers, We'll stay together as long as I'm honest in my songs
Their relationship is dependent on him being honest in his music
Suckers never play this scared shitless of dismissing clear channel playlists, Poorly developed yet highly advanced
Songs that are not mainstream are often overlooked by radio stations, despite being well-crafted
The black music intertwined with the white man's line dance
The mix of black and white cultures in music, despite the racial divide in other areas of life
Supersonic, super destructive, seemingly unresistable, On the job, around the clock, with twenty-four hour a day reliability, Constantly monitoring, pulse-taking, controlling
An advanced defense system that is constantly working to protect America
Busy with shivers and cold shakes sitting on snow banks
Feeling cold and alone, waiting for someone or something to come deliver comfort
My breath resembles the smell of flowers, Yanked from life, placed in a vase, Sits and wilts and watch 'em dies in the name of grave mistakes
A metaphor for life suddenly ending, with all the potential wasted and the knowledge that mistakes were made along the way
Believe that we're getting by treating ourselves wrong
The belief that people are not living their best lives, but are not willing to change their ways
From strip malls to strip clubs they slip drugs into the drinks that kids love
People place illicit substances into drinks at seemingly harmless locations, such as strip malls or clubs
This is the buzz kill jump into the saddle, Emerge from the dust kicked up in the uphill battle
A call to take control of one's life and emerge victorious despite the obstacles
I sort out words from my war torn mouth, I disassociate the actions with their meanings
The effects of past traumas can interfere with one's ability to communicate and process clarity
Plus I'm bleeding, Give me a band-aid a band that can play
A humorous take on needing help for emotional wounds, with a reference to a musical group to provide comfort
Pull the pin and push it in 'em, Using women as a pin cushion, A super villain with some war paint and jokes done in poor taste
Poking fun at the superhero/villain trope and using jokes to cope with pain and stress
Ready to take over in a matter of seconds, to protect the future of America
Being prepared to go to great lengths to protect America from potential threats
Sage also has protection too, The protection which comes with the possession weapons of retaliation, But is this protection enough?
Sage has weapons to protect themselves from danger but questions whether this is enough
Don't let nobody through the door in the hotel lobby, I'd wear Armani if they endorse me, So people who are poor can rob me
Being cautious not to let anyone into his hotel room, while acknowledging the irony of wearing designer clothing
Color me confused when they paint issues black and white, Resuscitate their grey matter right back to life
Refusing to accept a polarized view of an otherwise grey situation, with a call to encourage critical thinking
It's my destiny she wants me she beckons, She left me for dead but death didn't want no sloppy seconds
An unrequited love affair where he felt left for dead, but ultimately learned that he still had value
Our freedom kissed the French for their political dissent, Take that bovine blood out your wine
Acknowledging the French involvement in America's fight for independence and suggesting improvements to wine production
And take that statue back to the lab it was created at, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, Take 'em back! Your homeless tempest-tossed to me, Take 'em back! The U-S-A has cracked
Advocating for a return to the values and principles that the Statue of Liberty represents, while recognizing the societal issues still present in America
And as long as we're on guard, As long as we're ready to look ahead, To move ahead, The future of America is secure
By being vigilant and adaptable, America's future will remain strong
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: 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