Sage has tapped Oregon’s Sapient to rework “Dead Man’s Float” from his latest LP Copper Gone. Sapient will be joining Sage on his OR shows this week.

From the Sage Francis Copper Gone album, available now.

It’s been four years since we’ve heard an album from Sage Francis, with 2010′s Li(f)e for indie rock imprint Epitaph. The album fused Sage’s heavy poetics with live instrumentation, including collaborations with members of Death Cab For Cutie and French composer Yann Tierson, among other standout moments. Between that and being an album with a heavy, anti-religious message, Sage may have scared some folks off with his last record, despite what our reviewer called perhaps “the best LP of Sage’s career”. However that honor may now be going to his new album, Copper Gone. Constantly improving is never a bad thing.

Appropriately, the album begins with a wayward soul crying out to Sage, “where have you beeeeeeen”, before he comes bursting through the door on the abrasive “Pressure Cooker”. It’s the only real “rock driven” cut on the album (at least in a Rick Rubin sense), and is a perfect segway from the end of Li(f)e‘s symphonic “The Best Of Times”. Sage is back, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s nice to see him letting the tiger out the cage during this album’s first half, as songs like “ID Thieves” and “Cheat Code” bring him back to his boom-bap, battle rap foundations, yet maintaining his self-depreciating sense of humor. No man is safe, as a frustrated Sage spits vitriol towards this generation’s young emcees and new Hammers, with reckless abandon. Names aren’t called out, but several lines raise eyebrows in an if-the-shoe-fits-type-of-way:

“Why you think I let you get away with doing radio-friendly versions of what I do? / Like I wouldn’t chide you, out perform, out write, and out rhyme you / Outsmart, out heart, and out grind you / Out shine you with the torch that was given to me / Torches and I’ll pass it to bastards of the little league / If rap was a game you’d be M.V.P/ Most Valued Puppet of this industry/ Get your I.D…….. Independent? Fuck you….”

While this is a hip-hop record through-and-through, Sage spends a lot of time scribbling in his personal journals, with some life events that indirectly explain where he’s been the last few years. Depression seems to be a part of it, as both “Grace” and “Once Upon A Blood Moon” suggest he went through a bad break-up of sorts. Meanwhile on “Thank You”, Sage says goodbye to a loved one, with an apologetic, thankful and thoughtful letter, perhaps written to a recently deceased paternal figure. This stuff really gets you in the feels, as they say.

What makes Copper Gone such a great record – beyond the songwriting and top notch production – is Sage’s knack for balancing both his inner turmoil and his hip-hop roots, therapeutically channelling it all through his lyrics. Here is a man that we’ve all known is “sick of…” a lot things of their years, and his absence from the industry and own personal troubles have made for one of the most interesting albums of the year. Like he did way-back-when on “Makeshift Patriot”, Sage Francis has once again zeroed in on how a cross-section of the populace feels, and put it into rhyme. Well done, old friend.

From the album, Copper Gone, available now.

On this episode of Mista Montana and Menace’s UK based show, Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, they speak with Forbes’ senior editor Zack O’ Malley Greenburg about the secret Wu-Tang album, as well as segments with The Roots, Dice Raw, Sage Francis, Murs, Dillon Cooper, M-Eighty, Vanderslice, and more. Five hours.

When Sage Francis accepted to do this press conference, he didn’t realize he’d be asked the same few questions that flood his social media every day. Over 60 shows are booked for 2014 in support of “Copper Gone”, but it was astonishing for people to learn that the only reason he’s not playing certain territories is because he has hate in his heart for them. Until we can manage to book more venues, here are the cities that are getting all the love.

5/29 Stanhope, NJ http://tinyurl.com/kpu8yv9
5/30 NYC http://tinyurl.com/mswd4k5
5/31 BOSTON http://tinyurl.com/ot7wp43
6/02 TORONTO http://tinyurl.com/o3bslar
6/03 PITTSBURGH http://tinyurl.com/qxa5wyz
6/05 CHICAGO http://tinyurl.com/n9ktdr3
6/06 MADISON http://tinyurl.com/lko6bax
6/07 MPLS http://tinyurl.com/mbdqrvq
6/09 DENVER http://tinyurl.com/mbcyg6o
6/10 SLC http://tinyurl.com/o2zev9q
6/11 MISSOULA, MT http://tinyurl.com/q5vgdo9
6/12 VANCOUVER http://tinyurl.com/pcw95sd
6/13 SEATTLE http://tinyurl.com/pckpsex
6/14 PORTLAND, OR http://tinyurl.com/ot2bop9
6/16 SAN FRANCISCO http://tinyurl.com/k8w2uyv
6/17 SAN DIEGO http://tinyurl.com/nu796hx
6/18 LA http://tinyurl.com/k4h8wbw
6/20 PHOENIX http://tinyurl.com/mqsedot
6/21 ABQ http://tinyurl.com/q7hxyfq
6/22 EL PASO http://tinyurl.com/orce7kk
6/24 DALLAS http://tinyurl.com/njcjrz6
6/25 AUSTIN http://tinyurl.com/nkonnhq
6/26 NOLA http://ticketf.ly/1i2zteU
6/27 BATON ROUGE http://tinyurl.com/pfsq92j
6/29 ATLANTA http://tinyurl.com/okvfkex
6/30 CHAPEL HILL, NC http://www.ticketfly.com/event/562015/
7/01 DC http://tinyurl.com/p2gjc3f
7/02 PHILLY http://tinyurl.com/pwn9f8c
7/03 PORTLAND, ME http://tinyurl.com/lvppmnf
7/04 PROVIDENCE http://tinyurl.com/p492ggk

UK + EUROPE

Oct 10 IRELAND – Sligo @ Fifth on Teeling http://tinyurl.com/sligoCGtix
Oct 11 IRELAND – Belfast @ Voodoo

http://tinyurl.com/nune5vu

Oct 12 IRELAND – Dublin @ Sugar Club http://tinyurl.com/o88qczs
Oct 14 ENGLAND – Newcastle @ Think Tank

http://tinyurl.com/NewcastleCGtix

Oct 15 SCOTLAND – Glasgow @ Oran Mor http://tinyurl.com/o2dmtu4
Oct 16 ENGLAND – Manchester @ Gorilla http://tinyurl.com/onuatkk
Oct 17 ENGLAND – Leeds @ Brudenell Social Club http://tinyurl.com/pc56cp7
Oct 19 WALES – Cardiff @ The Globe

http://tinyurl.com/ofh9aqn

Oct 20 ENGLAND – Bristol @ The Fleece http://tinyurl.com/nhkca28
Oct 21 ENGLAND – Brighton @ The Haunt http://tinyurl.com/qjo9o2k
Oct 22 ENGLAND – London @ Village Undeground http://tinyurl.com/lacepcu
Oct 24 ENGLAND – Reading @ The Bowery District http://tinyurl.com/nmhu9vo
Oct 25 BELGIUM – Brussels @ Botanique/Rotonde http://tinyurl.com/oovr9oh
Oct 26 HOLLAND – Amsterdam @ Melkweg http://tinyurl.com/p38geo2
Oct 28 FRANCE – Paris @ Point Ephemere http://tinyurl.com/lxqn6pn
Oct 29 FRANCE – Dijon @ La Vapeur http://www.lavapeur.com/billetterie/
Oct 30 FRANCE – Vendome @ Les Rockomotives http://tinyurl.com/vendomeCGtix
Oct 31 FRANCE – Strasbourg @ Laiterie http://tinyurl.com/strasbourgCGtix
Nov 02 GERMANY – Cologne @ Underground http://tinyurl.com/GermanyCG
Nov 03 GERMANY – Hamburg @ Uebel & Gefaehrlich http://tinyurl.com/GermanyCG
Nov 05 DENMARK – Copenhagen @ Vega http://tinyurl.com/m43zb2x
Nov 06 NORWAY – Oslo @ John Dee

http://tinyurl.com/mber53a

Nov 07 SWEDEN – Stockholm @ Debaser Strand http://tinyurl.com/ogzxed7
Nov 09 GERMANY – Berlin @ Privatclub http://tinyurl.com/GermanyCG
Nov 10 GERMANY – Munich @ Ampere http://tinyurl.com/GermanyCG
Nov 11 GERMANY – Frankfurt @ Zoom http://tinyurl.com/GermanyCG
Nov 13 SWITZERLAND – Geneva @ Usine http://tinyurl.com/genevaCGtix
Nov 14 SWITZERLAND – Zurich @ Rote Fabrik http://tinyurl.com/zurichCGtix
Nov 15 SWITZERLAND – Bern @ Dachstock – Reitschule http://tinyurl.com/bernCGtix
Nov 16 AUSTRIA – Vienna @ B72

http://tinyurl.com/ViennaCGtix

Nov 19 SWEDEN – Lund @ Mejeriet

http://tinyurl.com/LundCGtix

Nov 21 FINLAND – Helsinki @ Kuudes Linja http://tinyurl.com/HelsinkiCGtix

From Sage Francis’ new album, Copper Gone, hitting June 3rd. This live version was recorded during SXSW 2014 at Daytrotter’s studio:

“We knew what Sage Francis was going to do to us when he came by the studio in Austin a month ago. We knew he was going to destroy us. We just didn’t know he was going to destroy us as much as he wound up destroying us. He’s a rapper unequaled and his new record, ‘COPPER GONE’, is a goddamned blessing, after a four year break between records. This particular song from the full session floored us. We were slack-jawed and stunned by the passionate delivery and sentiment in ‘Thank You’ and we all — Sage included — wanted to get this out into the world in front of the full session, which we will post in June. With music by Anders Parker and drums by Alias, ‘Thank You’ is a song that feels as ponderous as it feels definitive. It’s a song about a long span of time and people who mostly act out of love, though sometimes it’s strangely shown. Francis raps, ‘Thank you for the matches, for the gift of fire, for the wood and axe, for whuppin’ my ass/For the wheel even if you didn’t invent it/For the impact that you had on me/ It’s epic/Thank you for the effort, for teaching me the ABCs, even if I never make my way to Z, even if I never do for someone else exactly what you did for me, I’m gonna do my best while you rest, in peace/Thank you,’ and then we turned the lights off for the night and shut it down.” – Sean Moeller www.daytrotter.com

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney, Recording engineered by Grant Johnson at Good Danny’s, Austin, Texas.

Not sure how we missed this earlier in the month, but here is the first single from Sage Francis’ upcoming Copper Gone LP, which hits June 3rd, and will feature collaborations with Buck 65, Alias, Reanimator, and Cecil Otter. Preorder packages are up now at StrangeFamousRecords.Com.

“BLUE” is off of the SICK TO D(EAT)H mixtape, available now. Sage Francis’ upcoming album “Copper Gone” drops on June 3, 2014 via Strange Famous Records. “BLUE” was written and performed by Sage Francis. Music produced by Reanimator. Scratches by Buddy Peace. Video directed & edited by Jay Brown.

“Among many things, this song and video touch upon the subject of PTSD. There are many organizations and resources that are available to vets who are struggling with civilian life, but not everyone feels comfortable reaching out for help. Some people might not even know that they need help until it’s too late. Just so that the information is out there, for anyone who may need it, the Veterans Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or via text to 838255.”

Check Sage’s interview with Huffington Post in the second clip.

“BLUE” is the second leak from Sage Francis’ SICK TO D(EAT)H mixtape which drops on Dec 12 exclusively at StrangeFamousRecords.com. Beat produced by Reanimator. Scratches by Buddy Peace. Single artwork image by Trait Cross. You can read more about the mixtape in depth, here.

SICK TO D(EAT)H, the newest edition to Sage Francis’ Sick Of… mixtape series drops on Dec 12, 2013 exclusively at StrangeFamousRecords.com. The Epic Beard Men are back to help usher in this 75 minute compilation of rare recordings, remixes, demos and brand new songs. Sick to D(eat)h is available on MP3, CD and cassette. It features contributions by: Atmosphere, B. Dolan, Buck 65, Buddy Peace, Cecil Otter, DJ EQ, Kurtis SP, Lord Grunge, No Bird Sing, Prolyphic, Reanimator, Scroobius Pip and many more.

In other news, Sage Francis is currently recording his NEW ALBUM (title withheld for now) which drops in June of 2014, officially ending a 4 year hiatus. This will be followed by a world tour. More info on that soon at SFR.

For now, enjoy the free download of “You Can’t Win” (EPIC BEARD MEN!)

Minnesota’s NO BIRD SING has signed to Strange Famous Records. “Don’t Think” (feat. SAGE FRANCIS) is the first single from their upcoming album Definition Sickness dropping on Nov 12. Pre-sale package deals available now at: tinyurl.com/DefinitionSickness

ZERO DEMO is a previously unheard version of “I Was Zero” off of Sage Francis’ LI(F)E album (www.tinyurl.com/SageLife.) As you’ll notice, it ended up being completely re-arranged and reworked by the time it was released in 2010. On this version you will hear the original beat that Buck 65 produced for it as well as an additional Sage Francis verse that was stricken from the album version. The artwork for this single was done by Falside, photo by Anthony St. James. Strange Famous Records is offering this demo as a free download for a limited time as a show of thanks for all the fans and their continued support.

Aupheus (UK, Strange Famous Records) provides his signature “doom-bap” touch on this mix of hip-hop songs released from ’85 to ’88. Some of these tracks are classics, others are more obscure, but all were all chosen by Aupheus due to their sparse production style which allowed him to layer additional soundscapes and give them a new, fresh twist. ENJOY!

“Strictly Scientific” track list:
* Stetsasonic ‎– Just Say Stet (1985) (Strictly Scientific Mix)
* Hurby’s Machine Featuring Antoinette ‎– I Got An Attitude (1987) (Frontiers of Science Mix)
* Jewel “T” and L.T.C. ‎– Believe It Or Not (1986) (Visionary Movements Mix)
* D.J. Polo & Kool G. Rap ‎– Rikers Island (1987) (Buzzsaw Chop)
* Joeski Love ‎– Pee-Wee’s Dance (1986) (Pee-Wee in Space Mix)
* L.L. Cool J – THE BREAKTHROUGH (1987) (Section 9 Mix)
* Fat Boys ‎– Are You Ready For Freddy (1988) (Cyberdyne Systems Mix)
* Public Enemy – Raise the Roof (1987) (Lost Details Mix)
* Run-DMC – Perfection (1986) (Quiet Minds Mix)

Sage Francis writes:

As it is World AIDS Days and I have thought about these children every single day since being acquainted with them almost two years ago, I decided that I can no longer sit on this song. In January of 2011 I visited Durban, South Africa to help mentor and provide care for HIV-infected children. For me, it was a crash course education on their situation, culture, history, and various forms of treatment (or lack there of.) With a reported 5.6 million people living with HIV, South Africa has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. That is mainly due to misinformation propagated by the government as well as the people’s lack of access to education and proper medical care. With so many people dying of AIDS in this area, many children are often left to fend for themselves in overcrowded “orphanages”, many of which have no electricity or running water according to what I witnessed.

Much love and many thanks to everyone involved!
-Sage Francis