Controversial hip-hop innovator Sage Francis has just signed a three record deal with Epitaph; the label’s first hip-hop signing. Sage Francis is a phenomenon in the underground hip-hop world. His one legitimate cd release, 2002’s “Personal Journals” is a modern classic, but most of his popularity has been generated through MP3 swapping, touring and word of mouth.

Sage is one of the most creative and versatile MCs ever, moving adeptly from battles (he is a Scribble Jam champion), to pun filled “raps” (his “Non-Prophets” side project), to his trademark, poetry-infused style, spitting out heady soul-searching anthems along with some of the most insightful political diatribes this side of Public Enemy. His “Makeshift Patriot,” recorded just days after 9/11 is a fine example of the latter where he at once speaks with compassion about the victims of that tragedy, while not holding back his anger at the US actions that led to that event or the way politicians and the media have exploited it.



Should Epitaph be diversifying?

How come this is in the punk section?

Anyway, I'm not the biggest Sage fan but he has some cool tracks. The track, Makeshift Patriot is pretty cool but his other songs aren't as good IMO. I don't really like his voice but his lyrics are good.

What songs of his would you recommend?

Epitaph is more known for signing punk bands if memory serves me correctly.

This is the first non-punk act to be signed by Epitaph, thus the punk forum.