Born in Oakland, California, Michael Franti got his start in music in 1986 with the industrial punk band, The Beatnigs.  They released a self-titled album and an extended play recording called Television.  They developed a following in the San Francisco Bay area, but nothing outside of the area.

Michael Franti

Through music I either tame my demons or unleash them and allow them to be what they are. I don't want the music to be about provocation, I want the music to bring you to a place where you feel at home.

Getting Started

Born in Oakland, California, Michael Franti got his start in music in 1986 with the industrial punk band, The Beatnigs.  They released a self-titled album and an extended play recording called Television.  They developed a following in the San Francisco Bay area, but nothing outside of the area.

From 1991 to 1993, Franti worked with the percussionist, Rono Tse, who had been a part of The Beatnigs with him, on his next effort.  This was an industrial hip hop band called The The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. They released on album, titled Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury, which attracted the attention of the band U2, who invited them to open for them on their U2 TV Tour.  

Spearhead

Michael Franti assembled the band, Spearhead, in 1994.  They released their debut album, Home, which enjoyed moderate success.  MTV declared the band “buzzworthy.”  Their second album, Chocolate Supa Highway, included collaborations with Bob Marley's son, Stephen, and Joan Osborne.  He released two more albums in 2001 and 2003, becoming increasingly charged with political and social issues.  2003's Everybody Deserves Music offered Bomb the World,  possibly his most famous single, recorded in reaction to the violent aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

In 2005, Michael Franti and Spearhead released Yell Fire!  It was their first album to hit the Billboard Top 200, peaking at #125; the album hit #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.  Each track dealt with a different controversial issue.  His most recent album, All Rebel Rockers, was released in 2008, and peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200.  The single, Say Hey (I Love You), peaked at #18 on the Billboard 100 and the video peaked at #5 on the VH1 Top 20 countdown.  To date, the song has sold 120,000 digital downloads online.

Here and Now

Michael Franti and Spear are traveling with John Mayer on the Battle Studies Tour.  They are scheduled to perform at the Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in May, 2010, along with John Legend, the Zac Brown Band, and The Black Crowes.  

His most recent album, All Rebel Rockers, is available for streaming on his website, and his singles are available for ringtone downlaod.  When Franti and his band return at the conclusion of his current performance tour, they will be ready to begin working on their next album.

Did you know . . .

1. In 2000, Franti decided not to wear shoes.  Except for a pair of flip flops when necessary to enter a public place, he has not worn shoes since 2000.

2. Franti was born to a mother of Irish, German, and French descent and a father, of African-American and Amerindian descent.  Fearing her family would not accept him, her mother placed him up for adoption.

3. Yell Fire! was produced in direct reaction to a tour Franti had taken of the Middle East.

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