During the ringtone rap era, labels would repeatedly sign acts with a local-turned-crossover hit. In some cases, the label would force a second single out of the artist and hope it would match the success of that initial hit. In even more cases, that initial hit would run its course and the album the artist was promised would end up shelved after the label decided it could do no more with him.
This is what's so amazing about Sage The Gemini's story. He could have easily become "the guy with that 'Gas Pedal' song." Not only did he follow up the bass-heavy hit with "Red Nose," Sage was able to parlay his hit songs into the start of a serious career, a feat few Bay representatives can claim to have conquered. Even IAmSu, his HBK cohort and the leader of the region's youth rap movement, has yet to earn even a fraction of Sage's accolades.
Remember Me's release is a victory in itself, considering the history of artists from the under appreciated region, but let's be clear. This shit has some bangers on it. Sage has a gift for writing hit songs. "Gas Pedal" and "Red Nose" will continue to dominate mix shows for the foreseeable future, but then you have "Bad Girls," "Just A Kiss" and the infectious, sure-fire hit "Go Somewhere." Every one of the HBK kids makes an appearance, but this is very clearly Sage's album. He commandeers nearly every hook and produces half the album.
It's easy to call this a fluke. To dance and sing along to Sage's music and still contend he won't be around next year. To pretend that all his success is still not as significant as some of his competition's. He's already gone from one to two to three to potentially four-hit wonder. A successful career really isn't all that farfetched at this point.
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