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{{short description|American rapper (b. 1976)}} | |||
{{Infobox musical artist | {{Infobox musical artist | ||
| name = Sage Francis | | name = Sage Francis | ||
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}} | }} | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
'''Paul William''' "'''Sage'''" '''Francis''' (born November 18, 1976) is an American independent ] rapper from ].<ref name=Dusted-MakeshiftPatriot-2002>{{cite news|last1=Thomas-Glass|first1=Dan|title=Dusted Features: Sage Francis is to Dusted Magazine as ________ is to _________|url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/27|work=Dusted Magazine|date=2002}}</ref><ref name=SLAP-HealthyDistrust-2005>{{cite news| | '''Paul William''' "'''Sage'''" '''Francis''' (born November 18, 1976) is an American independent ] ] from ].<ref name=Dusted-MakeshiftPatriot-2002>{{cite news|last1=Thomas-Glass|first1=Dan|title=Dusted Features: Sage Francis is to Dusted Magazine as ________ is to _________|url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/27|work=Dusted Magazine|date=2002|access-date=2018-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322073651/http://dustedmagazine.com/features/27|archive-date=2015-03-22|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=SLAP-HealthyDistrust-2005>{{cite news| | ||
last1=Ma|first1=David|title=Sage Francis|url=http://www.slapmagazine.com/new_site/issues/12_05/Sage/|work=SLAP Magazine|date=December 2005| |
last1=Ma|first1=David|title=Sage Francis|url=http://www.slapmagazine.com/new_site/issues/12_05/Sage/|work=SLAP Magazine|date=December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185427/http://www.slapmagazine.com/new_site/issues/12_05/Sage/|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> He is the founder and CEO of ].<ref name=Exclaim-Life-2010>{{cite news|last1=Khanna|first1=Vish|title=Sage Francis|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/sage_francis|work=]|date=7 June 2010|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403234826/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/sage_francis|archive-date=3 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== Early life and education == | == Early life and education == | ||
Francis was born in ], ], but grew up in ]. He is an only child and grew up for most of his childhood with his mother and |
Francis was born in ], ], but grew up in ]. He is an only child and grew up for most of his childhood with his mother and stepfather after his parents divorced when he was young. He lived in different parts of ] including ] and ]. His mom worked as a bartender and his stepfather worked as a locksmith.<ref name=Dusted-MakeshiftPatriot-2002 /> | ||
Francis began writing and recording original lyrics at age 8, being inspired by acts such as Run DMC and Public Enemy.<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010>{{cite news|last1=Clendening|first1=Cory|title=An Exclusive Interview With Sage Francis|url=http://www.illestlyrics.com/exclusives/an-illest-exclusive-with-sage-francis/|work=IllestLyrics.com|date=10 September 2010| |
Francis began writing and recording original lyrics at age 8, being inspired by acts such as ] and ].<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010>{{cite news|last1=Clendening|first1=Cory|title=An Exclusive Interview With Sage Francis|url=http://www.illestlyrics.com/exclusives/an-illest-exclusive-with-sage-francis/|work=IllestLyrics.com|date=10 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913010439/http://www.illestlyrics.com/exclusives/an-illest-exclusive-with-sage-francis/|archive-date=13 September 2010}}</ref><ref name=TheBeeShine-CopperGone-2014>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Sage|title=Sage Francis Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmdzjDfhOpc|work=TheBeeShine|date=31 July 2014|format=Video interview}}</ref> According to ], Francis began sneaking out of his parents' house at age 12 to participate in rap battles.<ref name=Artistdirect-Bio>{{cite news|title=Sage Francis Biography|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/sage-francis/1641757|access-date=18 February 2018|work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090156/http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/sage-francis/1641757|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Francis received a degree in ] from ] in ], ] and a degree in ] from the ].<ref name=DaBelly-HealthyDistrust-2005>{{cite news|last1=Naughty Mickie|title=Sage Francis works harder than most|url=http://www.dabelly.com/features/feature188.htm|work=DaBelly|date=2005}}</ref> | Francis received a degree in ] from ] in ], ] and a degree in ] from the ].<ref name=DaBelly-HealthyDistrust-2005>{{cite news|last1=Naughty Mickie|title=Sage Francis works harder than most|url=http://www.dabelly.com/features/feature188.htm|work=DaBelly|date=2005|access-date=2016-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921025351/http://www.dabelly.com/features/feature188.htm|archive-date=2016-09-21|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
In 1996, he recorded his first official demo tape, and by 1998 he had a radio show on ] called ''True School Session''. | In 1996, he recorded his first official demo tape, and by 1998 he had a radio show on ] called ''True School Session''. | ||
Francis won the Superbowl MC Battle in Boston in 1999, beating ].<ref name=Superbowl-MC-Battle-Akrobatik-1999>{{cite web|last1=Akrobatik|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Sage Francis vs. Akrobatik|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l75U-NDVKs|website=Superbowl MC Battle|format=Video|date=1999}}</ref><ref name=Superbowl-MC-Battle-Esoteric-1999>{{cite web|last1=Esoteric|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Esoteric vs. Sage Francis|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVQGAdFRxts|publisher=Superbowl MC Battle|format=Video|date=1999}}</ref> Francis won the ] emcee battle in 2000, beating ].<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010 /><ref name=DaBelly-HealthyDistrust-2005 /><ref name=ScribbleJam-BrotherAli-2000>{{cite web|last1=Brother Ali|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77a2Lz4qoSk|publisher=Scribble Jam|format=Video|date=2000}}</ref><ref name=ScribbleJam-Blueprint-2000>{{cite web|last1=Francis|first1=Sage|last2=Blueprint|title=Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imwTKVxV658|publisher=Scribble Jam|format=Video|date=2000}}</ref> | Francis won the Superbowl MC Battle in Boston in 1999, beating ].<ref name=Superbowl-MC-Battle-Akrobatik-1999>{{cite web|last1=Akrobatik|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Sage Francis vs. Akrobatik|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l75U-NDVKs|website=Superbowl MC Battle|format=Video|date=1999}}</ref><ref name=Superbowl-MC-Battle-Esoteric-1999>{{cite web|last1=Esoteric|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Esoteric vs. Sage Francis|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVQGAdFRxts|publisher=Superbowl MC Battle|format=Video|date=1999|access-date=2018-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516050535/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVQGAdFRxts|archive-date=2019-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis won the ] emcee battle in 2000, beating ].<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010 /><ref name=DaBelly-HealthyDistrust-2005 /><ref name=ScribbleJam-BrotherAli-2000>{{cite web|last1=Brother Ali|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77a2Lz4qoSk|publisher=Scribble Jam|format=Video|date=2000}}</ref><ref name=ScribbleJam-Blueprint-2000>{{cite web|last1=Francis|first1=Sage|last2=Blueprint|title=Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imwTKVxV658|publisher=Scribble Jam|format=Video|date=2000|access-date=2018-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705123142/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imwTKVxV658|archive-date=2012-07-05|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2001, the song "]," recorded on October 11, 2001, became an Internet hit for its critique of American media during |
In 2001, the song "]," recorded on October 11, 2001, became an Internet hit for its critique of American media during and immediately following the ].<ref name=RT-BreakingTheSet-VonnegutBusy-2014>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Abby|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Sage Francis Breaks the Stage on 9/11 Fear Mongering, Corporate Hip Hop & Performs 'Vonnegut Busy'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8uK38eTPn8|website=Breaking the Set|format=Video interview|date=11 July 2014|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908133426/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8uK38eTPn8|archive-date=8 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis considers "Makeshift Patriot" to be the song that really made things come together for him. It was on the 2002 mix tape, ''The Known Unsoldier – ]'' and was widely circulated for free.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | ||
He released the critically acclaimed first solo album '']'' in 2002. The record |
He released the critically acclaimed first solo album '']'' in 2002. The record ''],'' his only album with Joe Beats released under the name ], was named after the state of ]'s motto of hope, and was meant to be very Rhode Island-centric.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015>{{cite web|last1=Francis|first1=Sage|last2=Scroobius Pip|title=Sage Francis and Scroobius Pip Copper Gone Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyw1y8mykPE|website=HHKMusic|format=Video interview|date=14 March 2015}}</ref> | ||
Francis broke music genre barriers by getting signed to ], making himself the first hip hop artist to sign with the punk rock label. He |
Francis broke music genre barriers by getting signed to ], making himself the first hip hop artist to sign with the punk rock label. He released three albums with Epitaph: '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name=PopMatters-HealthyDistrust-Review-2005>{{cite news|last1=Braidwood|first1=Stefan|title=Sage Francis: A Healthy Distrust|url=https://www.popmatters.com/francissage-healthy-2495904189.html|work=]|date=16 February 2005|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010351/https://www.popmatters.com/francissage-healthy-2495904189.html|archive-date=10 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=PopMatters-HumanDeathDance-2007>{{cite news|last1=Schiller|first1=Mike|title=Sage Francis: Human the Death Dance|url=https://www.popmatters.com/sage-francis-human-the-death-dance-2496248774.html|work=]|date=9 May 2007|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004544/https://www.popmatters.com/sage-francis-human-the-death-dance-2496248774.html|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Francis has described '']'' as being a political record, which reflected his mistrust of government and big business with a focus on socio-political matters.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | Francis has described '']'' as being a political record, which reflected his mistrust of government and big business with a focus on socio-political matters.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | ||
In May 2007, a video of "Got Up This Morning" |
In May 2007, a music video of the song "Got Up This Morning" from '']'' was released. The song featured vocals by ] and beats produced by ]. The video featured cameos from ], ], Buck 65, Divinci from ], Holland, ], and Tom Inhaler from Francis' band and ]<ref name=Epitaph-GotUpThisMorning-MakingOf-2007>{{cite news|title=Sage Francis - Making of "Got Up This Morning"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQy6XVWT148|work=]|date=23 May 2007|format=Video}}</ref> | ||
'']'' was a |
'']'' was a shift into a different style for Francis, focusing on spoken word and indie rock.<ref name=PopMatters-Life-Review-2010>{{cite news|last1=Fiander|first1=Matthew|title=Sage Francis: Li(f)e|url=https://www.popmatters.com/125997-sage-francis-life-2496189648.html|work=]|date=27 May 2010|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205074152/https://www.popmatters.com/125997-sage-francis-life-2496189648.html|archive-date=5 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The record featured contributions and collaborations with ], ], ], and ].<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010 /> | ||
Francis made a guest appearance on ]'s '']'' on the track "Let Them Eat War". | Francis made a guest appearance on ]'s '']'', on the track "Let Them Eat War". | ||
In 2014, Francis released '']'' after a four |
In 2014, Francis released '']'' after a four-year break from touring.<ref name=PopMatters-CopperGone-Review-2014>{{cite news|last1=Finley|first1=Adam|title=Sage Francis: Copper Gone|url=https://www.popmatters.com/182247-sage-francis-copper-gone-2495655012.html|work=]|date=6 June 2014|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206133009/https://www.popmatters.com/182247-sage-francis-copper-gone-2495655012.html|archive-date=6 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ProvidenceJournal-CopperGone-2015>{{cite news|last1=Van Siclen|first1=Bill|title=Providence Rapper Sage Francis brings his show to The Met|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150312/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150319817|work=]|date=12 March 2015|language=en|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210214/http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150312/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150319817|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The album was named after the phenomenon Francis saw in his neighborhood where abandoned buildings would have their copper pipes stripped to be sold, and then tagged as "Copper Gone" to let others know that there was no copper left to steal.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | ||
Francis says that he has been releasing |
Francis says that he has been releasing mix tapes consistently since 1999, and will continue to release the ''Sick of...'' mix tape series on an ongoing basis.<ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | ||
Francis |
Francis has toured extensively,<ref name=TheFilmGuys-GoingThroughHell-2016>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Sage|title=Sage Francis - Artist Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj86yg3Gjp0|work=TheFilmGuys Productions|date=13 June 2016|format=Video interview}}</ref> and has performed shows with ], ], and ]. | ||
== Epic Beard Men == | == Epic Beard Men == | ||
Francis collaborated with ] under the name ]. The duo's official debut single, "War on Christmas", was released in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45521/title.sage-francis-b-dolan-unveil-epic-beard-men-project-with-war-on-christmas|title=Sage Francis & B. Dolan Unveil Epic Beard Men Project With "War On Christmas"|work=]|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|date=December 21, 2017|accessdate=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the duo released the ''Season 1'' EP,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kzv8d/indie-rappers-sage-francis-and-b-dolans-new-ep-is-a-funky-whacked-out-acid-trip|title=Indie Rappers Sage Francis and B. Dolan's New EP Is a Funky, Whacked-Out Acid Trip|work=]|first=Kim|last=Kelly|date=March 2, 2018|accessdate=May 20, 2019}}</ref> as well as "Five Hearts", a single from the EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46071/title.sage-francis-b-dolan-announce-new-ep-with-soundcloud-rapper-fighting-video-game|title=Sage Francis & B. Dolan Announce New EP With SoundCloud Rapper-Fighting Video Game|work=]|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|date=February 26, 2018|accessdate=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, the duo released the first studio album, ''This Was Supposed to Be Fun''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gjsentinel.com/entertainment/music/music-scene-epic-beard-men-and-other-area-shows-for/article_22056500-678f-11e9-8d2f-20677ce85d90.html|title=Music Scene: Epic Beard Men and other area shows for April 26–May 2|work=]|first=Tammy|last=Gemmaehlich|date=April 23, 2019|accessdate=May 20, 2019}}</ref> It includes "You Can't Tell Me Shit", which became '']''{{'}}s "Inbox Jukebox Track of the Day".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2019/04/10/39872420/inbox-jukebox-track-of-the-day-the-witty-snarkfest-you-cant-tell-me-shit-by-acerbic-indie-rappers-epic-beard-men|title=Inbox Jukebox Track of the Day: The Witty Snarkfest "You Can't Tell Me Shit" by Acerbic Indie Rappers Epic Beard Men|work=]|first=Dave|last=Segal|date=April 10, 2019|accessdate=May 20, 2019}}</ref> The album was placed at number 20 on '']''{{'}} "20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019" list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/best-hip-hop-of-2019-2641497536.html?rebelltitem=12|title=The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019: 20. Epic Beard Men - This Was Supposed to Be Fun |work=]|first=Quentin B.|last=Huff|date=December 6, 2019|accessdate=December 30, 2019}}</ref> | |||
Francis has collaborated with ] on a duo for ''Season 1'', an EP released in 2018 under the name Epic Beard Men. The full-length follow-up album is scheduled to be released in March 2019.".<ref name= "rirappers">{{cite news |last=Courtney |first=James |url= https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2018/04/25/rhode-island-rappers-join-forces-as-epic-beard-men-playing-paper-tiger |title=Rhode Island Rappers Join Forces as Epic Beard Men, Playing Paper Tiger |work=] |date=April 25, 2018 |accessdate=May 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=SageFrancis |number=1020765261027299330 |date=21 July 2018 |title=The @EpicBeardMen album will be released in March 2019. We’re not quite sure what to call it yet. Might be self-titled. #EBM}}</ref> | |||
== Strange Famous Records == | == Strange Famous Records == | ||
{{ |
{{further|Strange Famous Records}} | ||
Francis is the founder and CEO of the independent hip hop record label ]. The label first began in 1996 as a way for him to release his previously unreleased songs in the late 1990s. It has since evolved into an official enterprise with an expanding roster of like-minded artists. He released several ''Sick Of'' mixtapes available on his website.<ref name=RT-BreakingTheSet-VonnegutBusy-2014 /> | Francis is the founder and CEO of the independent hip hop record label ]. The label first began in 1996 as a way for him to release his previously unreleased songs in the late 1990s. It has since evolved into an official enterprise with an expanding roster of like-minded artists. He released several ''Sick Of'' mixtapes available on his website.<ref name=RT-BreakingTheSet-VonnegutBusy-2014 /> | ||
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Francis worked with fellow rapper ] who had the idea to start an organization and website named KnowMore.org aka KnowMore: The People's Corporation Watch Project which focused on connecting consumers with social responsibility information about corporations and responsible consumerism.<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010 /> | Francis worked with fellow rapper ] who had the idea to start an organization and website named KnowMore.org aka KnowMore: The People's Corporation Watch Project which focused on connecting consumers with social responsibility information about corporations and responsible consumerism.<ref name=IllestLyrics-Life-2010 /> | ||
Francis went to ] to work on solutions to ], especially in regards to children. As part of that effort he was part of a documentary on HIV in South Africa.<ref name=aboveGround-SouthAfrica-Doc-2011>{{cite news|last1=Hakes|first1=Tyler|title=Sage Francis Travels to South Africa for HIV Documentary|url=http://abovegroundmagazine.com/news/culture-news/01/24/sage-francis-travels-to-south-africa-for-hiv-documentary/|work=aboveGround Magazine|date=2011}}</ref> | Francis went to ] to work on solutions to ], especially in regards to children. As part of that effort he was part of a documentary on HIV in South Africa.<ref name=aboveGround-SouthAfrica-Doc-2011>{{cite news|last1=Hakes|first1=Tyler|title=Sage Francis Travels to South Africa for HIV Documentary|url=http://abovegroundmagazine.com/news/culture-news/01/24/sage-francis-travels-to-south-africa-for-hiv-documentary/|work=aboveGround Magazine|date=2011|access-date=2018-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210445/http://abovegroundmagazine.com/news/culture-news/01/24/sage-francis-travels-to-south-africa-for-hiv-documentary/|archive-date=2018-02-18|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== Other work == | == Other work == | ||
Francis is also part of the contemporary ] movement. His relationship with the Providence ] community (he was on their 1998, 1999 and 2002 national poetry slam teams)<ref name=GotPoetry-PoetrySlams>{{cite news|title=GotPoetry.com: Providence Poetry Slam|url=http://www.gotpoetry.com/Sections/op=viewarticle/artid=16.html|work=GotPoetry.com| |
Francis is also part of the contemporary ] movement. His relationship with the Providence ] community (he was on their 1998, 1999 and 2002 national poetry slam teams)<ref name=GotPoetry-PoetrySlams>{{cite news|title=GotPoetry.com: Providence Poetry Slam|url=http://www.gotpoetry.com/Sections/op=viewarticle/artid=16.html|work=GotPoetry.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050804084603/http://www.gotpoetry.com/Sections/op=viewarticle/artid=16.html|archive-date=4 August 2005}}</ref> led to it being called "The House that Sage Francis Built."<ref name=WordsInYourFace-2008>{{cite book|last1=Aptowicz|first1=Cristin O'Keefe|title=Words in Your Face: A Guided Tour Through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam|date=2008|publisher=Soft Skull|location=New York|isbn=978-1-933-36882-5|url=https://archive.org/details/wordsinyourfaceg0000apto/page/100|pages=|oclc=165956969}}</ref> From 2000 to 2002, he also DJ-ed for the NYC-Urbana poetry slam, a weekly slam series held at the legendary punk rock venue ].<ref name=WordsInYourFace-2008 /> | ||
==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
{{Main|Sage Francis discography}} | {{Main|Sage Francis discography}} | ||
;Studio albums | |||
* |
*''Voice Mail Bomb Threat'' (1998) <small>(with Art Official Intelligence)</small><ref name=HHKMusic-CopperGone-2015 /> | ||
* |
*'']'' (], 2002) | ||
* |
*'']'' (], 2003) <small>(with ], as ])</small> | ||
* |
*'']'' (], 2005) | ||
* |
*'']'' (Epitaph, 2007) | ||
* |
*'']'' (], 2010) | ||
* |
*'']'' (], 2014) | ||
* |
*''This Was Supposed to Be Fun'' (Strange Famous, 2019) <small>(with ], as ])</small> | ||
* 2019: ''This Was Supposed To Be Fun'' <small>(with B. Dolan, as Epic Beard Men)</small> | |||
===''Sick of'' mixtapes=== | |||
* 1999: ''Sick of Waiting...'' | |||
* 2000: '']'' | |||
* 2000: '']'' | |||
* 2001: '']'' | |||
* 2004: '']'' | |||
* 2005: '']'' | |||
* 2009: '']'' | |||
* 2013: ''Sick to D(eat)h'' | |||
===Live albums=== | |||
* 2004: '']'' | |||
* 2005: '']'' | |||
===DVDs=== | |||
* 2005: '']''<ref name=Nardwuar-Interview-2010>{{cite news|last1=Nardwuar|last2=Francis|first2=Sage|title=Nardwuar vs. Sage Francis|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76dgsEA1ZEs|work=Nardwuar the Human Serviette|date=18 August 2010|format=Video interview}}</ref> | |||
===Podcasts=== | |||
* 2013: '' Painkiller Already'' | |||
* 2015: '' The Wandering Wolf'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Latest revision as of 13:10, 13 December 2024
American rapper (b. 1976)Sage Francis | |
---|---|
Francis in 2007 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Paul William Francis |
Also known as | Paul Francis Xaul Zan |
Born | (1976-11-18) November 18, 1976 (age 48) Miami, Florida U.S. |
Origin | Providence, Rhode Island U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation | Rapper |
Years active | 1996–present |
Labels | Strange Famous Records, Anticon, Epitaph Records, ANTI-, Rhymesayers Entertainment |
Website | Sage Francis at Strange Famous Records |
Paul William "Sage" Francis (born November 18, 1976) is an American independent underground rapper from Providence, Rhode Island. He is the founder and CEO of Strange Famous Records.
Early life and education
Francis was born in Miami, Florida, but grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. He is an only child and grew up for most of his childhood with his mother and stepfather after his parents divorced when he was young. He lived in different parts of Rhode Island including North Smithfield and Woonsocket. His mom worked as a bartender and his stepfather worked as a locksmith.
Francis began writing and recording original lyrics at age 8, being inspired by acts such as Run DMC and Public Enemy. According to Artistdirect, Francis began sneaking out of his parents' house at age 12 to participate in rap battles.
Francis received a degree in communications from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts and a degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island.
Career
In 1996, he recorded his first official demo tape, and by 1998 he had a radio show on WRIU called True School Session.
Francis won the Superbowl MC Battle in Boston in 1999, beating Esoteric. Francis won the Scribble Jam emcee battle in 2000, beating Blueprint.
In 2001, the song "Makeshift Patriot," recorded on October 11, 2001, became an Internet hit for its critique of American media during and immediately following the September 11 attacks. Francis considers "Makeshift Patriot" to be the song that really made things come together for him. It was on the 2002 mix tape, The Known Unsoldier – Sick Of Waging War... and was widely circulated for free.
He released the critically acclaimed first solo album Personal Journals in 2002. The record Hope, his only album with Joe Beats released under the name Non-Prophets, was named after the state of Rhode Island's motto of hope, and was meant to be very Rhode Island-centric.
Francis broke music genre barriers by getting signed to Epitaph Records, making himself the first hip hop artist to sign with the punk rock label. He released three albums with Epitaph: A Healthy Distrust, Human the Death Dance and Life.
Francis has described A Healthy Distrust as being a political record, which reflected his mistrust of government and big business with a focus on socio-political matters.
In May 2007, a music video of the song "Got Up This Morning" from Human the Death Dance was released. The song featured vocals by Jolie Holland and beats produced by Buck 65. The video featured cameos from B. Dolan, Brother Ali, Buck 65, Divinci from Solillaquists of Sound, Holland, Slug, and Tom Inhaler from Francis' band and Strange Famous Records
Life was a shift into a different style for Francis, focusing on spoken word and indie rock. The record featured contributions and collaborations with Califone, Chris Walla, Jason Lytle, and Mark Linkous.
Francis made a guest appearance on Bad Religion's The Empire Strikes First, on the track "Let Them Eat War".
In 2014, Francis released Copper Gone after a four-year break from touring. The album was named after the phenomenon Francis saw in his neighborhood where abandoned buildings would have their copper pipes stripped to be sold, and then tagged as "Copper Gone" to let others know that there was no copper left to steal.
Francis says that he has been releasing mix tapes consistently since 1999, and will continue to release the Sick of... mix tape series on an ongoing basis.
Francis has toured extensively, and has performed shows with Atmosphere, Brother Ali, and Eyedea & Abilities.
Epic Beard Men
Francis collaborated with B. Dolan under the name Epic Beard Men. The duo's official debut single, "War on Christmas", was released in 2017. In 2018, the duo released the Season 1 EP, as well as "Five Hearts", a single from the EP. In 2019, the duo released the first studio album, This Was Supposed to Be Fun. It includes "You Can't Tell Me Shit", which became The Stranger's "Inbox Jukebox Track of the Day". The album was placed at number 20 on PopMatters' "20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019" list.
Strange Famous Records
Further information: Strange Famous RecordsFrancis is the founder and CEO of the independent hip hop record label Strange Famous Records. The label first began in 1996 as a way for him to release his previously unreleased songs in the late 1990s. It has since evolved into an official enterprise with an expanding roster of like-minded artists. He released several Sick Of mixtapes available on his website.
Social activism
Francis worked with fellow rapper B. Dolan who had the idea to start an organization and website named KnowMore.org aka KnowMore: The People's Corporation Watch Project which focused on connecting consumers with social responsibility information about corporations and responsible consumerism.
Francis went to South Africa to work on solutions to AIDS in South Africa, especially in regards to children. As part of that effort he was part of a documentary on HIV in South Africa.
Other work
Francis is also part of the contemporary spoken word movement. His relationship with the Providence poetry slam community (he was on their 1998, 1999 and 2002 national poetry slam teams) led to it being called "The House that Sage Francis Built." From 2000 to 2002, he also DJ-ed for the NYC-Urbana poetry slam, a weekly slam series held at the legendary punk rock venue CBGB.
Discography
Main article: Sage Francis discography- Studio albums
- Voice Mail Bomb Threat (1998) (with Art Official Intelligence)
- Personal Journals (Anticon, 2002)
- Hope (Lex, 2003) (with Joe Beats, as Non-Prophets)
- A Healthy Distrust (Epitaph, 2005)
- Human the Death Dance (Epitaph, 2007)
- Li(f)e (Anti-, 2010)
- Copper Gone (Strange Famous, 2014)
- This Was Supposed to Be Fun (Strange Famous, 2019) (with B. Dolan, as Epic Beard Men)
References
- ^ Thomas-Glass, Dan (2002). "Dusted Features: Sage Francis is to Dusted Magazine as ________ is to _________". Dusted Magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-03-22. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- Ma, David (December 2005). "Sage Francis". SLAP Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
- Khanna, Vish (7 June 2010). "Sage Francis". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Clendening, Cory (10 September 2010). "An Exclusive Interview With Sage Francis". IllestLyrics.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010.
- Francis, Sage (31 July 2014). "Sage Francis Interview" (Video interview). TheBeeShine.
- "Sage Francis Biography". Artistdirect. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Naughty Mickie (2005). "Sage Francis works harder than most". DaBelly. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
- Akrobatik; Francis, Sage (1999). "Sage Francis vs. Akrobatik" (Video). Superbowl MC Battle.
- Esoteric; Francis, Sage (1999). "Esoteric vs. Sage Francis" (Video). Superbowl MC Battle. Archived from the original on 2019-05-16. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- Brother Ali; Francis, Sage (2000). "Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali" (Video). Scribble Jam.
- Francis, Sage; Blueprint (2000). "Sage Francis vs. Brother Ali" (Video). Scribble Jam. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- ^ Martin, Abby; Francis, Sage (11 July 2014). "Sage Francis Breaks the Stage on 9/11 Fear Mongering, Corporate Hip Hop & Performs 'Vonnegut Busy'" (Video interview). Breaking the Set. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Francis, Sage; Scroobius Pip (14 March 2015). "Sage Francis and Scroobius Pip Copper Gone Interview" (Video interview). HHKMusic.
- Braidwood, Stefan (16 February 2005). "Sage Francis: A Healthy Distrust". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Schiller, Mike (9 May 2007). "Sage Francis: Human the Death Dance". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- "Sage Francis - Making of "Got Up This Morning"" (Video). Epitaph Records. 23 May 2007.
- Fiander, Matthew (27 May 2010). "Sage Francis: Li(f)e". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Finley, Adam (6 June 2014). "Sage Francis: Copper Gone". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Van Siclen, Bill (12 March 2015). "Providence Rapper Sage Francis brings his show to The Met". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Francis, Sage (13 June 2016). "Sage Francis - Artist Interview" (Video interview). TheFilmGuys Productions.
- Eustice, Kyle (December 21, 2017). "Sage Francis & B. Dolan Unveil Epic Beard Men Project With "War On Christmas"". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- Kelly, Kim (March 2, 2018). "Indie Rappers Sage Francis and B. Dolan's New EP Is a Funky, Whacked-Out Acid Trip". Vice. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- Eustice, Kyle (February 26, 2018). "Sage Francis & B. Dolan Announce New EP With SoundCloud Rapper-Fighting Video Game". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- Gemmaehlich, Tammy (April 23, 2019). "Music Scene: Epic Beard Men and other area shows for April 26–May 2". Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- Segal, Dave (April 10, 2019). "Inbox Jukebox Track of the Day: The Witty Snarkfest "You Can't Tell Me Shit" by Acerbic Indie Rappers Epic Beard Men". The Stranger. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- Huff, Quentin B. (December 6, 2019). "The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019: 20. Epic Beard Men - This Was Supposed to Be Fun [Strange Famous]". PopMatters. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- Hakes, Tyler (2011). "Sage Francis Travels to South Africa for HIV Documentary". aboveGround Magazine. Archived from the original on 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "GotPoetry.com: Providence Poetry Slam". GotPoetry.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2005.
- ^ Aptowicz, Cristin O'Keefe (2008). Words in Your Face: A Guided Tour Through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam. New York: Soft Skull. pp. 100–101, 198. ISBN 978-1-933-36882-5. OCLC 165956969.
External links
- Sage Francis at Strange Famous Records
- Strange Famous Records
- Sage Francis on Twitter
- Sage Francis at Epitaph Records
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- 1976 births
- Epitaph Records artists
- Anticon
- Living people
- Musicians from Providence, Rhode Island
- Rappers from Rhode Island
- Slam poets
- American spoken word poets
- Underground rappers
- American male rappers
- East Coast hip-hop musicians
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century American poets
- 21st-century American male musicians
- Anti- (record label) artists
- University of Rhode Island alumni
- Dean College alumni