Sage Francis

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

An inside look at what it took to bring the Wu-Tang Clan together for their final performance at the Rock the Bells Hip-Hop festival.

A feature documentary and concert film, LIFE IS EASY [1968 - 2005] (Released 2005, on Strange Famous Records) chronicles the life and performance art of the influential and innovative "godfather of indie-hop." (The Guardian) Rapper, activist, and poet, Sage Francis, moves through the unforgiving rawness of what life is like on the fringe of an entire culture and adapts to the changing musical structure devoid of former industry gods and movers and shakers, while making a name for himself and ushering in a new language and attitude in rap and hip-hop. In the backdrop: a crumbling music industry, and in the foreground: conscious, politically charged, and universally resonant lyrics and performances captured through various lenses as Sage takes it all head-on. Written by Strange Famous Records

A Wall Street climber has a battle of will against a struggling artist.

A feature documentary and concert film, LIFE IS EASY [1968 - 2005] (Released 2005, on Strange Famous Records) chronicles the life and performance art of the influential and innovative "godfather of indie-hop." (The Guardian) Rapper, activist, and poet, Sage Francis, moves through the unforgiving rawness of what life is like on the fringe of an entire culture and adapts to the changing musical structure devoid of former industry gods and movers and shakers, while making a name for himself and ushering in a new language and attitude in rap and hip-hop. In the backdrop: a crumbling music industry, and in the foreground: conscious, politically charged, and universally resonant lyrics and performances captured through various lenses as Sage takes it all head-on. Written by Strange Famous Records