Low art with big heart.
I saw Sage Francis not too long ago. It wasn't the BEST show I've ever been to. It was good, but just not epic. It was, however, a lot of fun. I get the feeling that this guy really loves hip-hop, and wants his fans to feel the same way. To identify, as it were. And it's not hard for us middle-class white kids to identify with one of our own. He's got good skills, and the beats are OK, but he comes off a bit complaisant, or comfortable. And so his vibe is old-school-ish with no real threat or edge. (To be fair, if I rapped, that would probably be MY vibe as well) By threat and edge I don't neccesarily mean overt violence or rage, I mean something pushing boundaries. Like Sonic Youth in rock, or Sun Ra in jazz. I'm not saying he's soft, he's obviously trying to live life for all he's worth, which is respectable. But, listening to Sage just makes me feel I live in a world whose tragedies are limited to unfortunate scenarios that can be encapsulated into well-considered and often glib one-liners. And that's just not true.
The hip hop generation better open their ears
Because Sage Francis is speaking gold. Literally. Probably one of the finer hip hop discs of the year, "Personal Journals" takes the listener on a battle within Sage's psyche between his heart and his mind, and he's not afraid or embarassed to show how he feels. One of the more viceral flows in hip hop, Sage's ability as a spoken word poet definitely shines as he rhymes not phonetically but through the syllables and through his accentuation of certain words. In short, Sage tells his stories throughout this album and will do anything to make sure you hear it.There is a certain amount of minimalism in the beats: nothing really feels over produced, which allows Sage's lyrics to really shine. The first four tracks are all knock out stunners: lyrically they club you and have phat beats to back it up. The album simply doesn't relent as Sage does more than just examine himself but his relationships with other people and the way his world is working. Each song, in that aspect, is schizophrenic as he grapples with issues that most MCs wouldn't dare rhyme about. This personal integrity is what drives the entire album and almost doesn't make any stand out tracks: every single song on this is increadibly fresh and real, filling a missing void in hip hop.
There is pretty much nothing wrong with the purchase of this CD: everything is enjoyable and fantastic, a real stunner for anyone who is digging into hip hop. Get a copy asap.
Okay
Sage Francis is okay. He isn't great or horrible. He isn't exactly for me. I'll listen to the backpacker stuff even though I rather gangster and hardcore myself.
Now this is Entertainment
The raps are very good Funny are serious wise.Everything seems to fit on this album a very solid release from Mr.Francis in 2002 who I thought at First was some weirdo but then I found out he was not.some jazz type of music also on this Fun release
Lyrics 10/10 Production 10/10 X Factor 10/10 Classic 9/10 Me 10
Overall=49/50 There you have it Folks this is 5 Mics
Lost Sage verse found in Bible Code
Absurd long-words perform surgical intrusions,
Impeding the brain with cranial confusions,
Convoluted metaphors create pompous delusions,
Leaving cyberpseuds with paranoid illusions
Sage is an accomplished spoken word poet and emcee with several competitive titles to his name within both genres. He also performs with a live band, Art Official Intelligence, and together with Joe Beats and DJ Perseus, forms the Non-Prophets. He is equal parts serious and silly, but never fails to be entertaining. 18 tracks. 2002.
