Hope

Sage Francis has a chip on his shoulder. After being told that his music is too “straightforward,” Sage released one of hip-hop’s most important and unique albums in 2002 with Personal Journals. Personal Journals saw Sage writing songs more in the spirit of a late-60s Dylan than an anytime-90s mall thug or a 2000-and-beyond backpacker. All of the sudden, Sage was being called “too weird.” With his love rooted in older, more straightforward hip-hop, Sage set out to prove his versatility with the release of Hope, his debut album as the vocal half of the Non Prophets.  

At first, Hope sounds too formulated, too “Backpack.” Every beat is strong, all the vocals are great, everything seems perfect. Lyrically, Dylan’s out and the Native Tongues are in. Hope offers half the intellectual prowess of Journals but still pulls off a great level of creativity. Sage’s longtime friend and Non Prophets partner Joe Beats manages the musical side of Hope, offering up 14 wonderful beats in the spirit of a modern Pete Rock or Large Professor.

Instead of taking on complex subjects like suicidal sisters and multiple personality complexes as on Personal Journals, Sage chooses to stay on the surface with Hope, telling jokes about kids, dreaming of having money, making general political statements and stating that what he thinks “ain’t right.” His rhyme schemes are patterned off of various early-90s rappers but still feel very unique and show yet another side of his personality.

Oftentimes the focus surrounding Sage isn’t his music, but rather his personality. He usually has a 1.5” thick (fake) gold chain, only outdone by his 6 inch beard. Sage is a true blue enigma. Claiming multiple personalities and clearly having emotional problems, Sage is easy to love and just as often easier to hate. After both 9-11 and the start of the war, Sage released brilliant, if not incredibly controversial reactionary songs that questioned the American Spirit. He hates smoking but walks around outside of venues before his shows with a cigarette in his mouth, just to see how many people offer him a light. He’s hard to take seriously, especially when he seems to take himself so seriously. Or does he?

Now with two official albums to his name, Sage is finally where he always wanted to be. By the end of the year there will be a solo Sage album distributed by Epitaph. The album will likely be a mixture of the art approach of Personal Journals and the classic stylings of Hope. If you’re a 20-something rock fan who was raised on rap and can’t help but have a soft spot for it, you’re not alone. If you’re over 15 and at least have a clue what’s going on, then Sage Francis might be just what you need. He’s smart, creative, motivated and, most importantly, unique. Rarely does a character like Sage emerge into pop culture. Watch out. This guy will make waves if you let him.   7/10

Written by G. William Locke