Michael Franti

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Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California) is an African, Irish, and German American poet, musician, and composer. Franti is the creator and driving force behind Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, folk, and rock.

Franti was part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs with DJ Rono Tse, which released a self-titled LP, and an EP Television on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles Records. 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 injustice of the world and yearned for democratic reform, 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.

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.
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  • Songs From The Front Porch
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  • Everyone Deserves Music
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  • Stay Human
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  • Yell Fire!
    Michael Franti
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  • mustardog

    Vote up: http://www.last.fm/music/Spearhead/+images/54070659

    March 2012

  • matheuzimsccp

    Obrigado Altas Horas.

    November 2011

  • Tavoides

    Caraca o som desse cara é muito bom.

    November 2011

  • jamesusillxd

    Franti @ Occupy Wall Street

    October 2011

  • fastmoneymusic

    keep up the awesome work dogs!

    June 2011

  • beatleslovefor

    I am getting really excited about this year's Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, CA June 10-12. The lineup keeps getting better and more diverse and its by far my favorite festival in California! This year includes: Primus, The Flaming Lips, Michael Franti & Spearhead, G. Love & Special Sauce, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Railroad Earth, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, SOJA, Ghostland Observatory, and many others. For more info go to: http://www.harmonyfestival.com

    May 2011

  • SenriMan

    @thedeathsound I saw MF&SH live once, and I must say, it was one of the best live concerts I've ever seen. AND I HAVE SEEN THE FLAMING LIPS LIVE but I will agree that they don't play much that isn't off their newer albums and more pop/publicly liked songs

    March 2011

  • thedeathsound

    Finally saw Spearhead live... SOOOOOO disappointed D: I was all "Where is the transcendental hip-hop & R&B? What is this Dave Mathews sounding garbage?" Didn't play ANYTHING from Chocolate Supa Highway...

    October 2010
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