Sage Francis
Self Fighteous
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 19715
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| Revisiting the slaine issue |
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Tonight there was a show in Boston where artists from Strange Famous gave the crowd a good time. It was a nice distraction from what else is happening in my life right now.
Before the night finished I actually had a discussion with Slaine and I'm not sure I was able to properly explain myself with everything else happening around us. But I'm going to do it right now since strangefamousrecords.com/forum is the exact place where our "internet beef" originated from.
A few months ago his name was mentioned here. His music was posted. I checked the discussion, listened to a track, and gave a knee-jerk reaction. I was disappointed by the content in his song and I said it was an embarrassment. It was a passing thought based on a song that I didn't like. My comment was taken by other hip-hop sites and turned into a news story. Slaine and his affiliates went on the counter-attack as they defended their music and their stance while putting me down in return. That's understandable. Fuck it. I absorbed it and moved on.
In the meantime, I received some questions and support as well as hate mail from a few of the fans we share. I fielded those comments and moved on. Again, no harm no foul. One thing I want to make clear, and something I feel was completely misunderstood, is that I did not disrespect where he comes from or what he's been through. I have a feeling there are a lot more similarities than their are differences in what we've faced in our respective environments. The main difference is how we've reacted to these situations.
Geographically speaking, we're about a half hour apart. Socially speaking, this is "blue collar New England"...Irish-American paycheck-to-paycheck New England to be exact. Artistically speaking, we both express ourselves and our situation through hip-hop. And as far as I can tell, we both have serious family problems or other problems that deal with drug issues.
I don't know this guy's life story. I know the shit that goes down in my community and I know that more of the same happens in his community. I know he's been through some difficult times and he processes that in his own way. I can't sit here and diminish an artist for reacting differently than I do. That ain't right. But I guess my problem is feeling like I'm alone in my method of dealing with the BS so I offer my inner dialogue to the public. In retrospect I realize that some of those thoughts don't need airing out. And I apologize for that.
What helps me put this in perspective is some drama I'm dealing with at this very moment. I don't know if this is really the place to get super personal, but I am going to. Last night my sister showed up at my door...barefoot and shivering. It's been over a year since I heard from her last. Our father died of a heroin overdose 10 years ago, and she apparently inherited a serious drug problem of her own (among other things) since that time. I don't mind sharing this information right now because I've been put through the ringer too many fucking times. I'm tapped out and I've run out of options. I've been lied to, stolen from, and taken advantage by someone I love. Time and time again. After sorting through her situation last night, confronting a couple crazy characters who she had relations with, and then finally checking her into rehab at 1 a.m. I had to re-evaluate the way I deal with a lot of things. I broke down. Fuck. I broke down. Nothing else I can say about that.
When I checked on her status today I found out that she checked herself out of detox even though she promised me she wouldn't. She has no place to go. This automatically means bad things. So, since yesterday I've been on a bit of a head trip.
So...a few things came to a head at the Boston show tonight. My conversation with Slaine and a couple others happened at a fucked up time for me. I think I was wrong to flat out diminish a person because I disagree with how they process their situation and express it in a song. That's petty. I can't say I'll always be able to bite my tongue when certain subject matters relate closely to my personal life, but I'm open to the idea that different people react differently to different things. There's no telling the outcome really. Is that deep?
That's all I can say at the moment. It's back to working on the new album and dealing with random life stuff for now.
Peace. |
Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:05 am |
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True School Session
Joined: 10 May 2006
Posts: 867
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wow
I know what this is like...having an addict make promises time and time again only to break them....yet you can't stop helping.
I don't pray, but my thoughts are with you and your sister. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:21 am |
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futuristxen
Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 18328
Location: Tighten Your Bible Belt |
I don't know what Slaine is, so whatever on that situation. It sucks that you can't have an opinion on something without it blowing up into a fullblown situation.
As for the other more personal matter, you take on a lot it seems, and are a lot of things to a lot of diffrent people, which really even this slaine thing hits at. I dread the day when something finally happens to make you withdraw from the position you've taken for yourself. And I hope you do give yourself a break from time to time. Sometimes you really can't change the arc of a person's life, and it's a question of whether you want to be dragged down in their wake or not. Just keep perspective and cherish the people around you who DO care about you, and who are giving things to your life, not just taking away.
I hope things get better. And I'm excited about hearing the new album. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:23 am |
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DeadAwake
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 385
Location: Aus. |
Did she promise or did you ask her to promise? |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:16 am |
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poisonfree
Joined: 23 Aug 2002
Posts: 1417
Location: Macramento |
Fuck man, I'm sorry.
Family always hurts so bad.
Good luck with all this, keep up, take time for yourself. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:42 am |
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cakes
Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2576
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sage, sorry to hear about the bullshit life's spit on you. thank you for taking the time to come share a new track with us despite what you're going though. you obviously didn't have to (see thread about how sage rocks his fans), and the crowd appreciated it. good luck finishing up the album. hope it helps get some shit outta your system and you're able to find a moment of relief.
i may not have too much experience with drug addictions, but i can relate to siblings shivering with no shoes lost on doorsteps and feeling helpless despite every effort you can muster up to help. isn't much more that i can say, but i agree with sarah and wish the best for you and your sister (which i'm sure everyone here does). |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:04 am |
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breakreep
homophobic yet curious
Joined: 27 Sep 2004
Posts: 6200
Location: Fifth Jerusalem |
Last night I had my first ever Sage-involved dream. You introduced yourself after a show and just sat down and started talking about stuff, none of which I remember but I got the feeling it was personal. Then I wake up to this thread and now I feel like taking you to a bar and patting you on the back even though neither one of us drinks and I'm not really a back-patter.
Like cakes said, you've got our support and hopefully you get the catharsis you need, whether from your music or another source. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:34 am |
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kese
Joined: 16 Mar 2003
Posts: 5289
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Man...
I hope your sister is gonna be alright.
Same with you...
I can't wait to hear what you've been working on. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:53 am |
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AdamBomb
Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Posts: 2552
Location: Louisiana |
Hey, man...I hope you're sister turns out OK. Family is tough like that - you have to love them unconditionally even when they do things to you that an enemy wouldn't do. I can't help it, but when my family goes through hard times I feel their pain at the same time (even when things are good for me).
Cheers (and much respect) to being the bigger man on the Slaine thing. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:18 am |
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squirtisblow
Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 1235
Location: SFV |
chin up Mr. Sage. It's gonna be alright right, friend. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:25 am |
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passenger
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 617
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Sorry to hear about your sis. I have a sister I love deeply and know that kind of situation can be hard. Fortunately, my sisters problem hasn't gotten to that point and has become better over the years as she gets older. She still dabbles in drugs and often drinks heavily. All you can do is tell her your experiences, how much you care about her, and the situation you think is best for her well being and happiness. No matter how much you want it to be different they are always going to do what they want to do in the end. All you can do is show your support, show you care and show you love them. Less confrontational and more endearing seems to work well in these delicate situations until it gets out of hand..... |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:45 am |
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zagadka
DARK PAST HAVER
Joined: 30 Nov 2004
Posts: 4739
Location: Hous of Gaga |
i can offer nothing but hope and well wishes for your sister and your family. i can't imagine how painful that is. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:02 am |
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MessiahCarey
Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 10896
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zagadka wrote:
i can offer nothing but hope and well wishes for your sister and your family. i can't imagine how painful that is.
Every situation is different, but I've been through the same sort of thing with my biomom and other very, very, close friends.
I don't know that I can offer much help, but if there's anything you want to ask me or say...knowing I won't be judgemental about how you're feeling...you know my e-mail.
I wish nothing but the best to both you and your sister. She's lucky to have you!
- Shane |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:52 am |
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Sage Francis
Self Fighteous
Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 19715
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Some good fucking news for once!
My sister called me from a facility today. She's in a program and if she sees this week through she will be eligible for a 3-6 month stay. This was totally unexpected. Apparently the people at the ER detox unit lied to me by saying that she signed herself out. They just wanted to usher me out the door (even though I'm the main contact for her.) I normally would be pissed off about that, but there's a real joy that I'm experiencing at the moment so fuck it. Yesterday I was so quick to accept that she bounced because...that's just what normally happens. Talking to her on the phone today, with her explaining the treatment, was an early Christmas present. The rollercoaster has been insane the last few days and I'm about to pass out for a few hours.
To the people who messaged me and to the people on this site...thank you.
I'd like to put this matter to rest right now.
As for the slaine thing, this isn't about me or him being the bigger man. We had some back and forth episodes online which was silly. we spoke last night. I'm willing to put it to rest and I hope he is too. I do apologize for making a quick judgment.
i gotta get some god damn sleep.
good day to all. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:53 pm |
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neveragainlikesheep
Joined: 22 May 2008
Posts: 2088
Location: TKO from Tokyo |
I'm glad to hear that. Having a family member with a serious addiction is one of the most heartbreaking things imaginable. I feel for you and your fam. |
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Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:59 pm |
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