At this point in his career, it feels like a disservice to Sage Francis to call him an “underground” rapper. Widely considered to be a forefather of the independent hip-hop scene, Sage got his start by sneaking out of his house at night to compete in Rap Battles when he was just 12.
His initiative would eventually take him to Scribble Jam, the most prestigious freestyle battle competition at the time, where he emerged as the top performer in 2000 and 2001.
Sage used his popularity as an emcee battle heavyweight to sell more of his “Sick of” mixtapes, a collection of select recordings that he started producing and packaging himself on the floor of his Providence, R.I. apartment, and to found Strange Famous Records.
Over the years that followed, Sage’s grind only intensified.
Thanks to the boom of file-sharing networks such as Kazaa and Morpheus in the early 2000’s, Sage’s bootlegged tracks were downloaded and distributed worldwide, building a demand for his live shows.
Soon major labels were calling and Sage became the first hip-hop artist to sign to Epitaph Records, a label better known for its punk rock roster.
Sage released three albums with Epitaph, the critically-acclaimed “Personal Journals,” “A Healthy Distrust,” and “Li(f)e,” all the while still putting out poetry and music on Strange Famous Records, using the profits to expand the staff and roster of his passion project.
Now almost 40 years old, Sage is still touring incessantly and releasing new music, most recently his “Copper Gone” EP.
The length of Sage’s career and mob of dedicated fans can be attributed to the fact that his music is deeply personal; it forces you to think, and at the end you feel like you know him a little.
SantaCruz.com caught up with Sage Francis ahead of his upcoming show, at The Catalyst Club on May 25th.
You’ve been touring the globe for more than two decades, playing shows and festivals from the early underground Scribble Jams with guys like Eyedea and Atmosphere to huge mainstream festivals like Coachella with Radiohead and The Flaming Lips. Hip-Hop artists tend to get pigeonholed into a certain type of festival and show scene but you’ve deftly avoided this throughout your career.
SAGE: I don’t think I’ve ever been fully embraced by hip-hop. Partially because I’m not good at towing the line when it comes to what is or isn’t appropriate to rap about. And it’s for the same reason why listeners of other genres are receptive to my music. I like that I can rock crowds of all types and make them understand that hip-hop has more to offer than what’s being pumped through the radio. Still, it’s very difficult to get booked on festivals if you’re not the new kid on the block or an arena act.
Your current “Going Through Hell” tour consists of 38 shows in just over three months. You’ve mentioned on social media and interviews that leaving home and in particular, your cats, has become more difficult to deal with now that you’re an “adult.”
SAGE: Touring is my only viable healthy life option at the moment, so I’m trying to play as many shows as possible and while I still can. It’s highly unlikely I’ll be touring so heavily once this year is done. I’m sure I’ve played over 100 shows in under a year, bouncing from continent to continent. I definitely miss my cats, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. You just have to eat it. They understand all the nice things I’m able to provide them is thanks to me being a road warrior.
You originally started Strange Famous Records as a way to release your old material, but it has ballooned into an official organization with an impressive roster. Do you have any up and coming artists on Strange Famous or elsewhere that you are listening to or excited about?
SAGE: I don’t have the time or patience to check most new shit. I’m excited about B. Dolan’s new album “Kill The Wolf.” It’s another monster of a project from one of the only dudes in hip-hop who consistently pushes me as an artist. He’s up on the new shit by the way. Ha-ha. He’s the one to answer that question, as he usually has to hip me to things that are popping off outside of my tiny bubble. I strictly listen to sports talk radio and mix tapes from ex-girlfriends.
The last time you were in town was in 2013 for the Santa Cruz Music Festival. You played to a full crowd at the Catalyst Atrium. Any fun experiences from the last visit?
SAGE: Yeah, there was a women’s beach volleyball tournament happening down the road from my hotel. I walked by it. Twice. Then I went back to my room and ate a lot of calories.
Info. Sage Francis, with J. Lately at The Catalyst Club on Monday, May 25. Tickets $18/$20. Photo: Prentice Danner
