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.
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Sage Francis Lyrics
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Captain of our slam team, Sage Francis
Yeah
It was the, that got me
It was the, break
It was the
It was the
It was the
It was the
It was the
It was the
It was the
Name's Francis
But everybody calls me, "Free baby"
Any of you guys call me Francis
And I'll kill you
And I don't like nobody touching my style
I catch any of you guys in my style I'll kill you
Also I don't like nobody touching me
And any of you homos touch me and I'll kill you
Yeah
I can't settle down here, I cant (it was the)
I gotta be free (it was the)
I'm not, I, I enjoy the company of women
I love them, it's just, uh
I don't need 'em
It's-, you know that's the way it is when
When you're a true artist
I let my feelings come out in my music
Fuck it, I hate everybody
Lack power and you see
Do my own thing
My mind is a machine gun
My body's the bullets
And the audience is the target
Yeah, well maybe if you put your feelings out in real life
Then your music will be even better
Sage Francis's song "Mullet" is a fast-paced rap that speaks to the artist's individuality and his need for freedom. By using repetitive phrasing and a strong delivery, Francis emphasizes the importance of his music and how it is an extension of himself. The opening lines of the song pay tribute to the artist for his role in the slam team, highlighting his talent and skill. The phrase "It was the, that got me, it was the break" is repeated in the chorus, underscoring the idea that music is what drives Sage Francis and what has allowed him to break through as an artist.
Francis then goes on to outline his personal style, which is not to be touched, and his nickname "Free baby." He warns others not to touch him and that his music is an extension of his feelings. As the song progresses, Francis dives deeper into his identity as an artist and a person. He notes that he hates everybody and that he feels powerful in his individuality. His body is described as a machine gun, and the audience is the target.
The final lines of the song provide a commentary on the creative process, suggesting that real-life experiences can enhance an artist's music. Sage Francis is not just rapping; he is expressing his emotions through his music. Overall, the song is a celebration of the artist's creative abilities and the importance of self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Closing out our feature for you now (good job, man)
Sage Francis is finishing his performance on stage, and someone else is congratulating him on his performance.
Captain of our slam team, Sage Francis
The person introducing Sage Francis is acknowledging that he is the leader of their poetry slam team.
Yeah
Sage Francis is acknowledging something that was said or changing the subject.
It was the, that got me
Something specific about the person or situation caught Sage Francis's attention.
It was the, break
Sage Francis was likely referring to a musical or storytelling break that grabbed his attention.
It was the
Sage Francis continues to be intrigued by the subject.
Name's Francis
Sage Francis introduces himself.
But everybody calls me, "Free baby"
Sage Francis has a nickname among the people who know him.
Any of you guys call me Francis
Sage Francis is annoyed if people call him by his real name.
And I'll kill you
Sage Francis is exaggerating his anger for effect.
And I don't like nobody touching my style
Sage Francis is possessive of his individual style of poetry performance.
I catch any of you guys in my style I'll kill you
Sage Francis is joking about the lengths he'll go to protect his unique style.
Also I don't like nobody touching me
Sage Francis doesn't like people touching him.
And any of you homos touch me and I'll kill you
Sage Francis is using a homophobic insult here, but does not actually mean he will harm anyone.
Yeah
Sage Francis is again acknowledging something that was said or changing the subject.
I can't settle down here, I cant (it was the)
Sage Francis feels restless and can't stay in one place.
I gotta be free (it was the)
Sage Francis needs to feel unbounded and able to do what he wants.
I'm not, I, I enjoy the company of women
Sage Francis is attracted to women.
I love them, it's just, uh
Sage Francis cares for and is drawn to women.
I don't need 'em
Sage Francis doesn't feel like he needs to be in a romantic relationship.
It's-, you know that's the way it is when
Sage Francis is explaining his independent approach to relationships.
When you're a true artist
Sage Francis thinks that true artistry requires being unencumbered.
I let my feelings come out in my music
Sage Francis uses his poetry performances to express his emotions.
Fuck it, I hate everybody
Sage Francis is making a self-deprecating statement about his general frustration with people.
Lack power and you see
Sage Francis is revealing his feelings of powerlessness.
Do my own thing
Sage Francis is independent in his artistic approach.
My mind is a machine gun
Sage Francis feels like his mind is constantly generating ideas.
My body's the bullets
Sage Francis's body is the vehicle through which those ideas are expressed.
And the audience is the target
Sage Francis's poetry is aimed at provoking a reaction or response from his audience.
Yeah, well maybe if you put your feelings out in real life
Someone is challenging Sage Francis to be more authentic in his self-expression.
Then your music will be even better
The suggestion is, if Sage Francis is more honest with himself and others, his poetry will improve.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Paul William 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