Sage Francis @ Granada Theater

Fact:  My first 'hip hop' concert was Nelly the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.  Fact:  Having a dozen or so of your entourage aimlessly wandering around the stage while you perform a measly 45 minutes before walking offstage is not 'hip hop'.  That's a joke as a performing artist.  But to call Sage Francis hip hop also doesn't quite fit the bill.  For those of you who don't know about Sage's background, he's a student of the spoken word movement, participating and winning MC battles and poetry slam competitions.  Hip hop?  I don't think so.  I would consider him a lyricist and that was apparent when he flexed his freestyle muscle at Granada Theater last month.

I was very impressed with Sage's performance, particularly his newer material.  I enjoyed the incorporation of a live band with this creative lyrics as opposed to his earlier work in which he would use a sample or backing track; I think it makes his songs more dynamic.  Standout tracks like "Little Houdini" and "The Best of Times", both from Li(f)e, showcased Sage's diversity from lightning fast lyrics to the down tempo, singer-songwriter rhymes of "...Times".  I was very happy to have caught Sage, despite my lack of knowledge of his catalog, because he declared his indefinite hiatus following his current tour.  So do yourself a favor and pick a copy of Li(f)e or catch Sage before he hangs up his towel.  Pictures and videos of the show are below.

enjoy.