Michael Franti Biography

American musician and poet Michael Franti was born in 1966 in Oakland, California. Franti’s biological mother put him up for adoption when he was an infant, and Michael’s adopted parents raised him in the San Francisco area. Michael began writing poetry while a student at the University of San Francisco, but he was also influenced and inspired by reggae, punk, and hip-hop music.

Franti’s music career began in the late 1980’s, first as a member of the band The Beatnigs. He then went on to established The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which earned some critical acclaim and a gig opening for U2 when the band launched it’s Zoo TV Tour. Soon, Franti and his band mates grew to be well-known for their music, which was rich in social commentary and criticism. But it was Michael’s next project, Michael Franti & Spearhead, which became his big breakthrough in 1994.

Spearhead featured more soul and funk influences, and the group’s debut album, Home, charted internationally upon its release in 1994. Additional albums – including Chocolate Supa Highway (1997), Stay Human (2001), and Everyone Deserves Music (2003) – also charted internationally, but it was the album All Rebel Rockers that finally charted in the top forty on the mainstream charts in the United States. All Rebel Rockers was followed by The Sound of Sunshine (2010) and All People (2013.) Notable singles include: “I Know I'm Not Alone,” “Light Up Ya Lighter,” “Say Hey (I Love You),” “Shake It,” “The Sound of Sunshine,” “Hey Hey Hey,” and “Once A Day.”

Much of Michael Franti’s music has been featured on various television shows; his songs “Oh My God” and “Rock the Nation” were both featured on the HBO series The Wire, and “Yell Fire” was featured on the FX series Rescue Me. The NBC show Mercy featured Franti’s hit “Say Hey (I Love You),” and the song was also used in the film Valentine’s Day.

Today, Michael Franti is as well known for his activism as he is for his music. An outspoken advocate for peace and social justice, especially in the Middle East, Franti incorporates messages of hope and global compassion in his music and his live performances.