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Michael Franti
Michael Franti in 2008
Background information
Origin	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genre(s)	Hip hop, Funk, Reggae, Jazz, Folk, jam band
Years active	1988–Present
Label(s)	Alternative Tentacles Island Records Capitol records Boo Boo Wax Six Degrees ANTI-
Associated acts	Radioactive Carl Young
Website	http://www.stayhuman.org

Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California) is an American poet, musician, and composer of African, American Indian, Italian, and German descent. Franti is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues. Image File history File links Question_book-new. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 399 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (682 × 1,024 pixels, file size: 312 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... This article is about the U.S state. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... Funk is a distinct style of music originated by African-Americans, e. ... Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Folk song redirects here. ... The term jam band is commonly used to describe psychedelic rock-influenced bands whose concerts largely consist of bands reinterpreting their songs as springboards into extended improvisational pieces of music. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. ... Island Records is a record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label owned by EMI and located in Hollywood, California. ... This article is about the record label. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Oakland redirects here. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... A poet is a person who writes poetry. ... For the popular-music magazine, see Musician (magazine). ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... For other uses, see Native Americans (disambiguation). ... An Italian American is an American of Italian descent and/or dual citizenship. ... German Americans (German Deutschamerikaner) are citizens of the United States of ethnic German ancestry and currently form the largest ancestry group in the United States, accounting for 17% of the U.S. population. ... Spearhead is a band with Michael Franti and Radio Active. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... Folk song redirects here. ... This article is about the genre. ... Gari Melchers, Mural of Peace, 1896. ... Social justice refers to the concept of an unjust society that refers to more than just the administration of laws. ...

Biography

Beatnigs (1986–1990)

Franti began his music career in 1986 as part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs. While attending the University of San Francisco and living above the college radio station he developed a fascination with music and decided to start a band. The Beatnigs included DJ Rono Tse and released a self-titled LP, and an EP Television on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles records. The records received some critical acclaim but little notoriety beyond the San Francisco bay area. Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... The Beatnigs was an early collaboration featuring Michael Franti and Rono Tse. ... University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Catholic, Jesuit University in San Francisco, California, United States. ... </gallery> KUSF 90. ... The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was a Rap/Hip-Hop band active during the early 1990s. ... Eric Reed Boucher (born June 17, 1958) is more widely known by the stage name Jello Biafra. ... Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. ...

Disposable Heroes (1991–1993)

His next project, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, found Franti continuing his collaboration with Tse, and working with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, and electronic musicians Mark Pistel (Consolidated) and Jack Dangers (Meat Beat Manifesto). The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy wrote biting, progressive lyrics that railed against the injustices of the world, set to a fusion of industrial and hip hop. Their first album won acclaim for its social commentary, and they were chosen by U2 to open for their Zoo TV Tour. The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was a Rap/Hip-Hop band active during the early 1990s. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... For the UK magazine, see Guitarist (magazine). ... Charlie Hunter is an American jazz, rock and fusion guitarist. ... For other uses, see Electronic music (disambiguation). ... Mark Pistel is a Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Remixer and song writer, who has been working in the genres of Electronica, Experimental music, Break Beat, Hip-Hop, and Dance, since 1988. ... Consolidated was an American radical activist recording and performing group, formed in 1988 and best known in the early 1990s as an alternative dance/industrial music band. ... Jack Dangers (born John Corrigan, 1965, in Swindon) is an electronic musician, DJ, producer, and remixer best known for his work as the primary member of Meat Beat Manifesto. ... Meat Beat Manifesto, often shortened to Meat Beat or MBM, is an electronic music outfit originally consisting of Jack Dangers and Jonny Stephens formed in 1987 in Swindon, UK. This was also the hometown of the band XTC, who helped Meat Beat get started. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... For the fan club-exclusive album released from this tour, see Zoo TV Live. ...

Franti and the Disposable Heroes put together another record of music accompanying novelist William Burroughs' readings for an album entitled Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales. This album diverged greatly from the style of the band's previous work, as they were largely providing musical background and accompaniment to Burroughs' spoken readings from several of his books. A novel is an extended work of written, narrative, prose fiction, usually in story form; the writer of a novel is a novelist. ... William S. Burroughs. ...

Michael Franti & Spearhead (1994–)

Michael Franti and Spearhead performing at Wakarusa 2006.

In 1994, Franti formed a new band called Spearhead with a few studio musicians, including mainstay Carl Young, and announced the dissolution of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Their first release, Home, in September of 1994, was a departure from the politically charged rap of the Disposable Heroes and drew more from funk and soul music. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 2. ... Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California) is an American poet, musician, and composer of African, American Indian, Italian, and German descent. ... Wakarusa can refer to several things: Wakarusa, a town in Indiana; Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, in Lawrence, Kansas; the Wakarusa War, part of the Bleeding Kansas violence before the American Civil War; the Wakarusa River, a tributary of the Kansas River. ... Home is the debut album by Spearhead, released in 1994 under the Capitol Records label. ... Hip-Hop music is a style of popular music. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ...

Their follow up album Chocolate Supa Highway was released in March of 1997, with several changes in band members between releases. This album featured a bit of a return to Hip Hop and a pronounced reggae influence and included guest appearances by notables like Stephen Marley and Joan Osborne. Chocolate Supa Highway is Michael Franti and Spearheads second studio album, released on Capitol Records. ... Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. ... Stephen Robert Nesta Raggamuffin Marley (born April 20, 1972) in Wilmington, Delaware, is a Jamaican musician and the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Rita Marley. ... Joan Elizabeth Osborne (born July 8, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, known chiefly for her song One of Us. Originally from the Louisville suburb of Anchorage, Kentucky, she moved to New York City in the late 1980s, where Osborne formed her own record label, Womanly Hips, to release...

As Spearhead, the band released two albums, Home and Chocolate Supa Highway, followed by a split with Capitol Records (reportedly prompted by the label's repeated urging to perform with other artists like Will Smith). The band instead decided to create its own record label, Boo Boo Wax. Since Capitol Records owns the rights to the name "Spearhead," subsequent albums have all been released as "Michael Franti & Spearhead." “W. S.” redirects here. ...

In 1999, Franti began a deeper exploration of his music and politics. He returned the following year as an organizer and cultural worker tied to several intensifying political movements of the time, voicing his observations through his music. For other uses, see Politics (disambiguation). ...

Michael Franti & Spearhead released Stay Human in 2000 on indie music label, Boo Boo Wax and Six Degrees. The album's central theme was the unjust nature of the death penalty and other major themes included media monopolization, the prison-industrial complex and corporate globalization. Stay Human is the third studio release by Michael Franti & Spearhead. ... In popular music, indie music (from independent) is any of a number of genres, scenes, subcultures and stylistic and cultural attributes, characterised by perceived independence from commercial pop music and mainstream culture and an autonomous, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. ... Death penalty, death sentence, and execution redirect here. ... This article is about the economic term. ... The prison-industrial complex refers to interest groups that represent organizations that do business in correctional facilities, like prison guard unions, construction companies, and surveillance technology vendors, who become more concerned with making more money than actually rehabilitating criminals or reducing crime rates. ... For other uses, see Corporation (disambiguation). ... Economic globalization has had an impact on the worldwide integration of different cultures. ...

In an interview, Franti talks about the message of Stay Human: "Half the record is songs about what's happening in the world right now, and the other half is about how we cope with it as people who are concerned about what's going on," he says. "This spectre of war, intimidation, this nation vs. the rest of the world, it wears us out. Half the record is a healthy dose of venting anger about that, and the other half is about how do we hold on to our spirituality, our community and our connectedness to each other." [1] Franti left Six Degrees due to the labels' inability to properly promote the project, for poor record sales and frequent disagreements with the labels' founder Pat Berry.

Everyone Deserves Music was released in 2003. Franti composed many of the songs from his guitar and, like fellow 21st century cultural globalists Manu Chao and Ozomatli, continues to synthesize his eclectic influences. In a departure from the industrial sounds of the Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes, and the minimalism of early Spearhead, Franti's affirming lyrics are now set to appropriately swelling rock chords, while keeping a world-wise groove nodding towards reggae, dancehall, bossa nova, Afrobeat, and funk. Anthems like the title track "Everyone Deserves Music", "Yes I Will" and "Bomb The World" are constructed with a nod to the '80s rock of The Clash and U2, as well as classic soul from Stax and Motown. The song "We Don't Stop" (featuring Gift of Gab from Blackalicious and Spearhead's rapper/beatbox technician Radioactive) even manages to bridge the two sounds in a "Magnificent Seven" style mash-up. And on "Love Why Did You Go Away" and "What I Be", Franti reveals an alluring, sensual singing voice. "Pray For Grace" and "Bomb The World (Armageddon Version)" pair Franti with the reggae/funk giants Sly and Robbie (Grace Jones, Rolling Stones, Black Uhuru, No Doubt). Manu Chao (born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961 in Paris, France) is a French-born singer and political activist of Spanish origin. ... Ozomatli is a multiethnic nine piece band (although they have had as many as ten members, and as few as six), playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. ... Dancehall is a type of Jamaican popular music which developed around the late 70s, with exponents such as Yellowman and Shabba Ranks. ... For other uses, see Bossa nova (disambiguation). ... Afrobeat is a combination of Yoruba music, jazz, Highlife, and funk rhythms, fused with African percussion and vocal styles, popularized in Africa in the 1970s. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... The 1980s was the decade spanning from 1980 to 1989, also called The Eighties. The decade saw social, economic and general upheaval as wealth, production and western culture migrated to new industrializing economies. ... This article is about the English punk rock band. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Stax Records is an American record label, originally based out of Memphis, Tennessee. ... Motown Records, Inc. ... Gift of Gab (right) with fellow Blackalicious member Chief Xcel The Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker) is the MC for the California hip-hop duo Blackalicious, and a member of Quannum Projects (along with Chief Xcel, DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born and Lateef). ... Blackalicious is an American alternative hip hop duo. ... Beatboxing is the vocal percussion of hip hop culture and music. ... Harry Belafonte singing, photograph by C. van Vechten Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with speech. ... Sly and Robbie are reggaes most prolific and long lasting production team. ...

Also in 2003, Franti released a mostly acoustic album, Songs from the Front Porch containing rearranged versions of older songs from Chocolate Supa Highway, Stay Human and Everyone Deserves Music as well as a couple of new tracks.

On July 25, 2006, Michael Franti & Spearhead released their new album, entitled " Yell Fire!", inspired by Franti's trip to Israel, Baghdad, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. In an effort to share his experiences from his trip and to explore the human cost of war, Franti produced a movie entitled "I Know I'm Not Alone", using the songs from his album " Yell Fire!" as a soundtrack. "One Step Closer To You" from Yell Fire! features Pink on backing vocals. is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For information about the film with this similar name, see Just Yell Fire. ... Baghdad (Arabic: ) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate. ... Alecia Beth Moore (pronounced [1]) (born on September 8, 1979), known professionally as Pink (often stylized as ), is a two-time Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter who gained prominence in 2000. ... A backup vocalist or background singer (or, especially in the U.S., backup singer or sometimes background singer) is a singer who sings in harmony with the lead vocalist, other backing vocalists, or alone but not singing the lead. ...

Michael Franti and Spearhead have taken a highly unconventional route to notoriety for an act with Hip Hop roots. Largely ignored by the traditional mainstream TV and radio channels of promotion, Franti and Spearhead have gained a passionate worldwide audience through extensive touring and appearances in alternative media like Mother Jones Magazine and Democracy Now. Mother Jones Magazine is a leftist magazine named after labor organizer Mary Harris Jones (May 1, 1830 - November 30, 1930), better known as Mother Jones. ... Democracy Now! is an independent, award-winning news and opinion radio program airing on over 300 stations across North America every weekday, as well as both satellite television networks. ...

Franti continues to hit the festival circuit worldwide, in addition to producing the annual Power to the Peaceful[2] festival, which has drawn more than 20,000 people to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco over the past seven years. Michael Franti continues to gain influence in both popular music and social movements largely through extensive touring and word of mouth fan support. Lyrics from his song "Bomb The World", written in the dark aftermath of September 11 such as "You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace.", have found their way onto protest signs and T-shirts all over the world from Los Angeles to Berlin, San Francisco to CNN, at demonstrations for peace large and small. A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. ... Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... An example of protest art. ... T-Shirt A T-shirt (or tee shirt) is a shirt with short or long sleeves, a round neck, put on over the head, without pockets. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... For other uses, see Demonstration. ...

The song "Light Up Ya Lighter" by Michael Franti & Spearhead was included on the soundtrack to Body of War, an award-winning documentary about Tomas Young, a paralyzed Iraq War veteran. Body of War is a documentary following Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran paralyzed from a bullet to the spine, on a physical and emotional journey as he adapts to his new body and begins to question the decision to go to war in Iraq. ... Body of War, directed by Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue, is a 2007 documentary following Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran paralyzed from a bullet to the spine, on a physical and emotional journey as he adapts to his new body and begins to question the decision to go to... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...

Politics

Franti is also an advocate for peace in the Middle East. His film I know I'm Not Alone features footage of Iraq, the territories within the Palestinian Authority, and Israel and communicates to the MTV, X, Y and Z generations, as well as the baby boomers about the human cost of war.^{[citation needed]} Franti is also vegan.^[1] A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Generation X (disambiguation). ... Generation Y (sometimes referred to as the Millennials) refers to a specific cohort of individuals born, roughly, between 1980-83 and 1994[1] (first half) and 1995-2001 (second half). ... The New Silent Generation is a proposed holding name used by Neil Howe and William Strauss in their demographic history of America, Generations, to describe the generation whose birth years begin somewhere in the late 1990s, or in the early or mid 2000s and continue to a yet unknown year... Generations are extended periods of time that are connected with pop cultures. ... A baby boom is defined as a period of increased birth rates relative to surrounding generations. ... -1... Hens kept in cramped conditions — the avoidance of animal suffering is the primary motivation of people who become vegans A vegan is a person who avoids the ingestion or use of animal products. ...

In an anti-poverty protest, Franti decided not to wear his own shoes, initially for three days, and never went back. Except for occasionally wearing flip-flops on an airplane or in a restaurant, Franti has been walking through life barefoot since 2000.^[2] In 2006, he was invited by Australian MP Jenny Macklin to show the film at Australia's Parliament House, Canberra.^{[citation needed]} This required him, for security reasons, to wear shoes^{[citation needed]}. A boy from Jakarta, Indonesia shows his find. ... Various kinds of flip-flops, from cheap foam/plastic to leather In footwear and fashion, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of a flat sole held on the foot by a u-shaped strap that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around... Jennifer Louise Macklin (born 29 December 1953), is an Australian politician. ... Parliament House is the building in which a National (or State) Parliament sits. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

Michael Franti is a member of the Green Party.^{[citation needed]} This article is about the American political party, Green Party. ...

Discography

Home is the debut album by Spearhead, released in 1994 under the Capitol Records label. ... Chocolate Supa Highway is Michael Franti and Spearheads second studio album, released on Capitol Records. ... Stay Human is the third studio release by Michael Franti & Spearhead. ... Everyone Deserves Music is the fourth studio release by Michael Franti & Spearhead. ... For the film of a similar name, see Just Yell Fire. ... All Rebel Rockers is an album by Michael Franti & Spearhead, currently scheduled for release on September 9th, 2008 by Epitaph subsidiary ANTI-.[1] Recorded mostly in Kingston, Jamaica, with noted producers Sly and Robbie, the album is described by Franti as having a solid reggae feel. Guest musicians include Marie... Gabriel Rios (b. ... Flip Kowlier (pseudonym of Filip Cauwelier) is a Belgian singer-songwriter, from Izegem, West Flanders. ... Jovanotti (often misspelt as Giovanotti) is an Italian singer-songwriter and rapper. ... Album cover Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury is the debut album by alternative hip hop crew the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music). ...

See also

• Blue In The Face (Movie Soundtrack)
• 1 Giant Leap
• Look at All the Love We Found
• Snakes on a Plane: The Album
• List of vegans

1 Giant Leap is a concept band and media project consisting of the two principal artists, Jamie Catto (Faithless founding member) and Duncan Bridgeman. ... Look at All the Love We Found is a tribute album by various artists dedicated to Sublime, released on June 21, 2005 (see 2005 in music). ... The following is a list of notable people who practice (or practiced) veganism. ...

References

is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Michael Franti

• Stay Human - official website
• SpearheadVibrations - official website
• FrantiV - Michael Franti video series on YouTube
• Power to the Peaceful - official website for Power To The Peaceful Music Festival
• I know I'm not alone - official website for the film I Know I'm Not Alone
• Michael Franti and Spearhead collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
• FreakyandFree - fansite from Australia
• LoveIsDaShit - fansite from USA
• Power to the Peaceful - fansite from Belgium
• Spearhead-Home - fansite from Germany
• Michael Franti info page
• Mother Jones Interview with Michael Franti from Mother Jones Magazine
• Being There Review of Yell Fire!
• Peace Not WarListen to Michael Franti's song Bomb The World
• Michael Franti Gallery Turtle Vision photo gallery of Michael Franti
• Michael Franti interview extended interview with Michael Frant at the radioshow A palaver 04. December 2006
• TERRA VIDEO PODCAST - Franti in Concert plus Interview
• Paradiso concert (13-12-2006) A free video of their entire Paradiso concert.
• Videointerview from Greenpeace Berlin to personal and political Questions
• Michael Franti at The Dwarf
• Interview with Al Jazeera English's Riz Khan show
• A Thousand Miles with Michael Franti From Honest Tune.