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.
Trite
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i'm having identity crises.
"no we're not." "yes we are."
i'm having identity crises.
"no we're not." "yes we are."
i don't have a feeling that hasn't been felt, feeling on my felt tip,
and how i'm dealing. cut the deck. evenly distribute the pieces
of shit talking during our disputes on weekends.
we can sing along to each other's song, right?
even if the interpretation is wrong, right?
just make sure you don't bring the wrong mike,
'cause i don't care about meeting a boyfriend we can all like (nah!).
this song is called trite, hope ya like it.
could've substituted your name with the title but i decided that i'd keep it private.
violent dream sequences just seem endless.
i can see myself making a heated entrance
to your workplace with a smirk on my face.
and a tongue in my cheek. and a gun in my reach.
sneaking naked photos of myself under the seats of your co-workers,
putting a knife to your throat and screaming out "i won't hurt her!"
they're like, "let her go!"
and i'm like, "let her grow!"
prisoners wouldn't listen to this. their rational side was out on a furlough.
i like turbo-nuclear family affairs.
i want a wife, a house, and two and a half mistresses to call when i'm not there.
then hang up the phone, and have my wife call up the phone company,
and ask the phone company guy "why???"
and he's like, "ma'am...well, maybe you just don't know how to talk."
and she's like, "damn...well...wanna fuck me?"
"yeah of course."
see? case closed. and he knows how to trace calls,
so i can't make cranks saying, "i hate ya'll!"
i throw baseballs at my mirror, break walls a tear a-
nother page out of my diary, throwing it from the eighth floor 'til i hear a
pin drop. unsuspecting pallbearers are in shock.
they know i'm about to kill myself with a sling shot.
they bring rocks for ammunition,
steal my lifetime magazines and then cancel my subscription.
their hands are just itching to scratch my clean records.
my rap sheets are infected, now i can't be president???
i just have to be elected! i ask for just a second chance.
the answer back was "kid, you never did in the first place."
speaking of that, give me my blue ribbons back and anything that is mine.
waiting for a nice guy who can't make it to the finish line.
when i die you won't recognize the picture buried inside the obituary,
but it'll say, "bye, i miss you very much."
i'm always one for last words at departing time,
in a million years is when this dead star will shine.
say my fuckin' name. nope. say my fuckin' name. nope.
you don't...know what to call me so you don't.
you don't you don't call me.
you don't you don't call me.
The lyrics of Sage Francis's song Trite talk about identity crisis and the struggles of finding one's place in the world. The singer talks about how they are feeling lost in their own mind and how they have dealt with past problems that are still affecting them. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery, with violent dream sequences, heated confrontations at the workplace, and even naked photos being taken of the singer. Even though the song is called Trite, it delves deep into issues of self-identity and anxiety, and how they can be self-inflicted or amplified by society.
One theory about the song is that it is a critique against the music industry and how artists are often pressured to conform and stay within certain parameters of what is considered "acceptable" or "popular". This would explain lines such as "could've substituted your name with the title but I decided that I'd keep it private" and "prisoners wouldn't listen to this. Their rational side was out on a furlough". The latter statement could be interpreted as a reference to how society and the media can manipulate people's emotions and oversimplify complex issues.
Interestingly, the chorus of the song consists of a dialogue between two people, where one denies having identity crises while the other insists that they do. This could be seen as a commentary on how people often try to hide their vulnerabilities and feelings of uncertainty behind a façade of confidence or stoicism.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm having identity crises.
I am struggling with figuring out who I am and what my place in the world is.
"no we're not." "yes we are."
i'm having identity crises.
"no we're not." "yes we are."
There is disagreement from others about whether or not I am actually having an identity crisis.
i don't have a feeling that hasn't been felt, feeling on my felt tip,showing my hand...revealing what i've dealt with.and how i'm dealing.
I am open and honest about my emotions and experiences, even if they are not unique or original.
cut the deck. evenly distribute the piecesof shit talking during our disputes on weekends.
Let's divide up the blame for our arguments fairly and not resort to name-calling or insults.
we can sing along to each other's song, right?even if the interpretation is wrong, right?just make sure you don't bring the wrong mike,'cause i don't care about meeting a boyfriend we can all like (nah!).
Let's try to understand each other's perspectives, even if we don't always agree. But let's not bring anyone into our relationship drama or try to please everyone else.
this song is called trite, hope ya like it.could've substituted your name with the title but i decided that i'd keep it private.
This song is unoriginal and overdone, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. I could have made it about you specifically, but I chose to keep it vague.
violent dream sequences just seem endless.i can see myself making a heated entranceto your workplace with a smirk on my face.and a tongue in my cheek. and a gun in my reach.
I have recurring violent dreams that involve me seeking revenge or causing chaos. I imagine myself going to your workplace with a weapon and feeling smug about it.
sneaking naked photos of myself under the seats of your co-workers,putting a knife to your throat and screaming out "i won't hurt her!"
In my dreams, I do disturbing and violating things to invade your personal and professional life. However, I insist that I won't actually harm you.
they're like, "let her go!"and i'm like, "let her grow!"
Others are telling me to let you go or move on, but I am resistant to that and want to continue our relationship, even if it may not be healthy or productive.
prisoners wouldn't listen to this. their rational side was out on a furlough.
Even those who are in jail or trapped in bad situations would not subject themselves to this song or my issues since they are not beneficial or relevant to them.
i like turbo-nuclear family affairs.i want a wife, a house, and two and a half mistresses to call when i'm not there.
I desire a traditional family life with a wife and home, but also indulge in infidelity and disrespect towards those I claim to care for.
then hang up the phone, and have my wife call up the phone company,and ask the phone company guy "why???"
I will give my wife the task of fixing any issues with our phone service, even though it is my responsibility as the husband and provider.
"yeah of course."
see? case closed. and he knows how to trace calls,so i can't make cranks saying, "i hate ya'll!"
Even the phone company worker is willing to engage in inappropriate behavior with me, suggesting that I frequently engage in this behavior. However, I am unable to get away with making prank calls or being cruel to others since the phone company can trace my calls.
i throw baseballs at my mirror, break walls a tear a-nother page out of my diary, throwing it from the eighth floor 'til i hear apin drop.
I deal with my anger and frustration by destroying things, including possessions and personal writing that represents my deepest thoughts and feelings.
unsuspecting pallbearers are in shock.they know i'm about to kill myself with a sling shot.they bring rocks for ammunition,steal my lifetime magazines and then cancel my subscription.
Even at my funeral, I cannot escape my destructive tendencies, as I plan to commit suicide with a slingshot. Those who are carrying my casket are surprised and uneasy, and they try to disarm me by stealing and canceling my subscriptions and gathering stones.
my rap sheets are infected, now i can't be president???i just have to be elected! i ask for just a second chance.the answer back was "kid, you never did in the first place."
My criminal record blocks me from running for president, but I hope to be elected to other positions or given another chance to prove myself, even though it may not be deserved or realistic.
speaking of that, give me my blue ribbons back and anything that is mine.waiting for a nice guy who can't make it to the finish line.
I demand recognition and rewards for things I may not have truly earned or deserve. I am also waiting for someone who is kind and generous but ultimately unable to keep up with my demands or expectations.
when i die you won't recognize the picture buried inside the obituary,but it'll say, "bye, i miss you very much."
Even though I may be unrecognizable or unremarkable in death, I still hope to be remembered and missed by those who knew me.
i'm always one for last words at departing time,in a million years is when this dead star will shine.
I always need to have the final say or be the center of attention. Even when I am gone or irrelevant, I hope to be remembered in some way or another.
say my fuckin' name. nope. say my fuckin' name. nope.you don't...know what to call me so you don't.you don't you don't call me.you don't you don't call me.
I am demanding that others acknowledge and address me by name, but they are unable or unwilling to do so since I am erratic, indecisive, and inconsistent.
Contributed by Cooper T. 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