Bay Area rapper Sage The Gemini became a viral sensation after the release of Billboard Hot 100 singles "Gas Pedal" and "Rednose" in March 2013, and shortly after inked a deal with Republic Records. A year later, Sage has finally come through with his debut album, Remember Me.
Surprisingly, beyond the strip club hits, Sage The Gemini puts (slight) emphasis on education. Opening up with the title track "Remember Me," he tells the story about being the nerd in school, which leads into the following track, "Bad Girl", which redefines a "bad girl" as a woman with a PhD. However, that doesn't stick too long before Sage shifts the focus back to the club heat. As a prelude to "Gas Pedal," Sage reveals one of the strongest cuts off the album, titled "Go Somewhere," a lighter single that romanticizes a club encounter and features IAMSU!.
While Sage leans on the HBK Gang collective throughout the album, as well as likeminded producer P-Lo to take his place when he's not self-producing, Sage also enlists R&B crooner Eric Bellinger for "Second Hand Smoke" and August Alsina on "Down On Your Luck," two stronger tracks listeners will wish were longer.
With his own production credits right through Remember Me, Sage develops an understanding of how to create a beat that works with his vocal tone, but also differs drastically from his deliveries. Contrary to his West Coast cohorts (i.e. YG, Kendrick Lamar) who have distinct storytelling abilities, Sage The Gemini is a one-dimensional artist who often succumbs to lyrical laziness over lyrical complexity ("Don't You").
Remember Me sports very minimalistic production, but it works perfectly for the Bay Area snap-era. However, with the majority of the tracks being in-and-around the two minute mark, Sage The Gemini presses the gas pedal too quickly before capturing your attention lyrically or sonically.
(Black Money Music Group/EMPIRE/Republic Records)Surprisingly, beyond the strip club hits, Sage The Gemini puts (slight) emphasis on education. Opening up with the title track "Remember Me," he tells the story about being the nerd in school, which leads into the following track, "Bad Girl", which redefines a "bad girl" as a woman with a PhD. However, that doesn't stick too long before Sage shifts the focus back to the club heat. As a prelude to "Gas Pedal," Sage reveals one of the strongest cuts off the album, titled "Go Somewhere," a lighter single that romanticizes a club encounter and features IAMSU!.
While Sage leans on the HBK Gang collective throughout the album, as well as likeminded producer P-Lo to take his place when he's not self-producing, Sage also enlists R&B crooner Eric Bellinger for "Second Hand Smoke" and August Alsina on "Down On Your Luck," two stronger tracks listeners will wish were longer.
With his own production credits right through Remember Me, Sage develops an understanding of how to create a beat that works with his vocal tone, but also differs drastically from his deliveries. Contrary to his West Coast cohorts (i.e. YG, Kendrick Lamar) who have distinct storytelling abilities, Sage The Gemini is a one-dimensional artist who often succumbs to lyrical laziness over lyrical complexity ("Don't You").
Remember Me sports very minimalistic production, but it works perfectly for the Bay Area snap-era. However, with the majority of the tracks being in-and-around the two minute mark, Sage The Gemini presses the gas pedal too quickly before capturing your attention lyrically or sonically.