Benz and a Backpack

The homie Sage Francis unveiled the visuals for the second single, “Best Of Times,” off his newest album called Li(f)e. Sage, a Providence native, has made the most noise of almost anyone from the state of Rhode Island, and it’s with good reason. “Best Of Times” is a slow-building track that culminates in a wonderfully high-energy apex, and all the while the aptly-named Sage provides words of wisdom about coming of age through the lens of his own experiences. If you haven’t seen Clutch and my interview with Sage and his partner-in-crime B. Dolan (who together are the Epic Beard Men), then check it right here, right now.

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This past weekend, I experienced a highlight of my time doing Midnight Madness, an underground hip-hop mix show Dizzy and I host every Sunday on WBRU.  Sage Francis and B. Dolan, two local rappers who have brought a taste of RI across the country, came to the studio to promote Dolan’s new album, Fallen House, Sunken City.

I have been a fan of Sage Francis since I was a youngin’ on his grind back in high school.  I have to admit though, it took me a few months to get into his work and fully appreciate his style of hip-hop.  The first Sage Francis album I heard was his 2005 release A Healthy Distrust, a perfect title to match the passion and mood of the album.  The first song that caught my attention was “Lie Detector Test”, a song who’s slow and infectious beat that loops a familiar sample syncs perfectly with Sage’s slowed down yet intense lyricism.

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After playing “Lie Detector Test” over and over, the rest of the album fell into place for me.  Songs like “Sea Lion”, “Slow Down Ghandi”, and “Jah Didn’t Kill Johnny” soon followed among other solid, unique songs.  Eventually, I found myself playing the album more or less all the way through, appreciating the grit, passion, and flow that Sage brings to the table.

It was a while since then that I got a chance to check out any new Sage, until I was re-introduced last summer.  Sitting in an airport in San Francisco, enjoying free wi-fi, I found myself listening to A Healthy Distrust, wondering if Sage had any new stuff out.  A quick Google search came up with a Sick of Wasting, his latest release from the Sick of… mixtape series.  Hard hitting beats provided the backdrop for my introduction to Sages’ doppleganger, B. Dolan.

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This past weekend I was lucky enough to have Sage Francis and B. Dolan join Dizzy and me on Midnight Madness.  Here is an old-school video of Sage going at it with one of my other favorites: Brother Ali.  Although Brother Ali was more consistent and clear, Sage takes the cake with an epic punchline.  Look out tomorrow for a more thorough post about Sage and B. Dolan’s new album Fallen House, Sunken City, along with video footage from the 95.5 studios.

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