Non-Prophets is a pairing of lyricist Sage Francis and beatmaker Joe Beats. Their debut album, Hope was released on Lex Records in 2003. In early 2004, they toured the United States on the infamous Fuck Clear Channel tour. The duo came to people's attention with their first effort, the "Drop Bass" b/w "Bounce" 12" single on Emerge Music in 1999. The follow up release came in 2000 as the "All Word, No Play" vinyl single. Shortly after the Non-Prophets singles caught a buzz Sage verbally committed to the up and coming label