Success doesn't come easily for anybody. Since day one, persistence has bee… Read Full Bio ↴Success doesn't come easily for anybody. Since day one, persistence has been the name of the game for Bay Area rapper Sage The Gemini.

When he made the decision to rap, nobody would help him. He’d bring rhymes to his peers for beats, and no one jumped at the chance to collaborate. So, he went even harder and he did everything himself. By the age of 14, he had taught himself how to create beats, produce, and even mix and master. He’d become a wholly self-sufficient artist before tenth grade. Now 21, he recalls, “All I cared about was music. I would stay up all night working on tracks and go to school tired. It didn’t matter. I wanted to be heard.”

Inspired by everyone from Chris Brown and Usher to Jay-Z and Pharrell, he studied various genres inside and out. That determination and dedication eventually yielded a viral sensation.

In 2008, he dropped his first online track "You Should Know" on MySpace. It became a viral hit, generating over three million views and buzzing amongst listeners worldwide. Joining up with the famed crew HBK Gang, the Bay Area began to embrace him as he performed countless gigs, developed a local presence, and honed a sound of his own.

"Musically, it's a mixture of everything," he explains. "It's like going to McDonalds and pouring every drink in one cup. I want to start my own genre—like a crossover of R&B and Bay Area party hip-hop."

That crossover revs up on "Gas Pedal." This smash hit switches lanes between a club-ready beat and a swaggering hook. Sage's smooth flow coasts alongside a slick verse from HBK's Iamsu.

He continues, "It's a dancing song. I like to keep the violence to a minimum. Dancing helps kids in a big way that no one wants to pay attention to. If they're dancing, it's all good. I grew up listening to Iamsu. To have him on there is a blessing."

The song attracted Republic Records who inked a deal with him in 2013. Then, as part of the EP of the same name, "Gas Pedal" sped toward the top online and at radio, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hip-Hop Chart and racking up over 12 million YouTube/VEVO views. At the same time, countless fans uploaded their own takes on the song to both YouTube and Vine, making the impact simply seismic. Cumulatively, there are over 110 million viral views fueled by this immense audience response without radio. It also serves as a gateway to his forthcoming full-length debut album for the label.

Another banger "Red Nose" wiggles from an unshakable chorus and a massive groove, becoming an anthem in its own right. It showcases just how clever he really is too. "I wanted to say something that means 'ass-shaking' without simply saying it," he grins. "That's where the comparison to a red nose pit bull came from."

Ultimately though, everything about Sage stands out. Producing and writing, he architects his own vision completely from the music to the rhymes. Now, he's speeding towards the top.

"I want people to feel like they can live with me through the music," he concludes. "It's about having a good time together. The album's going to have turn-up and party songs as well some more emotional moments. It's everything, and everyone is welcome along for the ride."

Black Wings
Sage The Gemini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Red on my clothes, [?] I had to go
When you wearing gold, everybody wanna know
Have you seen him? Yeah, have you seen him?

Yeah, I know that they want me off my level
Take my place and get my medals
Take my mind, use me as vessel
Make your head nod, yeah, you playing with the devil

This that heavy metal, you get pot for playing kettle
I got black wings with no soul, I might might just run up
On my nightstand is a .40, I don't cock it 'cause it's one up
Got me fucking [?] falling luggage, catching cases
I might run around your corner, look like greyhounds racing
I'ma run into your mama place
Disrespectful, wave it in your mama face
Broke a sprinkler, ha, I let it spray
He ain't got a face, we ain't got a case
Banana clip got me apeshit, I don't make a nigga dayshift
He was almost 40, he ain't make it 'cause I was on my 38 shit

Red on my clothes, [?] I had to go

When you wearing gold, everybody wanna know
Have you seen him? Yeah, have you seen him?

Overall Meaning

In Sage the Gemini's song "Black Wings," the opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, referencing the singer's misadventures and illegal activities. The use of "red on my clothes" implies that the singer might have just committed a violent crime, or at the very least, got into a serious altercation. The second line, "When you wearing gold, everybody wanna know," suggests that the singer is wearing jewelry, which can lead to increased attention and scrutiny from others. The repeated refrain "Have you seen him?" adds to the theme of the singer's outlaw status, as if he's constantly on the run and being sought after.

Line by Line Meaning

Red on my clothes, [?] I had to go
I had to leave quickly because there was something urgent going on, indicated by the red on my clothes.

When you wearing gold, everybody wanna know
When you have status or wealth, people become curious and want to learn more about you.

Have you seen him? Yeah, have you seen him?
People are actively searching for me and asking others if they have seen me.

Yeah, I know that they want me off my level
I am aware that some people want to bring me down from my success and status.

Take my place and get my medals
Those who want to bring me down are aiming to take my achievements and recognition.

Take my mind, use me as vessel
There are people who want to manipulate me and use me for their own purposes.

Make your head nod, yeah, you playing with the devil
Those who are trying to control me are manipulating me for their own gain, even if it means causing harm to me.

This that heavy metal, you get pot for playing kettle
The situation I am in is dangerous and can result in harm or punishment for those who are not careful.

I got black wings with no soul, I might might just run up
I am dangerous and unpredictable, and I may use my power to intimidate or threaten others.

On my nightstand is a .40, I don't cock it 'cause it's one up
I keep a gun within reach for protection and will not hesitate to use it if necessary.

Got me fucking [?] falling luggage, catching cases
I am involved in illegal activities and am at risk of being caught and charged with crimes.

I might run around your corner, look like greyhounds racing
I am fast and agile, and can move quickly and skillfully, like a racing greyhound.

I'ma run into your mama place
I am bold and fearless, and may enter someone's home without permission or respect for boundaries.

Disrespectful, wave it in your mama face
I am willing to use violence and aggression to assert my dominance and disrespect authority figures.

Broke a sprinkler, ha, I let it spray
I am destructive and will cause damage without remorse or consequence.

He ain't got a face, we ain't got a case
If someone is harmed or killed, there may not be enough evidence to prove who is responsible.

Banana clip got me apeshit, I don't make a nigga dayshift
I have a large supply of ammunition and will not hesitate to use it to cause harm or chaos.

He was almost 40, he ain't make it 'cause I was on my 38 shit
I caused someone's death before they reached 40 years old, indicating my involvement in violent crimes.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DOMINIC WYNN WOODS, VINCENT WATSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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