Franti, Michael & Spearhead

Like his hero Bob Marley’s output, Michael Franti’s body of work is much more than a collection of songs. It’s a catalyst for coming together, a joyful noise in the name of love and a fearless cry for justice. As he evolved from his young punker days in the Beatnigs to his rap era with the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and then to Spearhead (now Michael Franti & Spearhead), Franti has leavened his R&B/soul/reggae-inflected messages to focus on bridging differences — cultural, political or any other wedge of divisiveness — in an effort to convey that we’re all in this together. As he notes in “Bomb the World,” “You can bomb the world into pieces/but you can’t bomb it into peace.” Franti’s 2008 release, All Rebel Rockers, was recorded in Jamaica with legendary producing duo Sly & Robbie. Excerpt from: http://2009.aclfestival.com/band/michael-franti-spearhead, Michael's website: http://www.spearheadvibrations.com/