1986-1992

Michael Franti forms 'the Beatnigs' with Kevin Carnes and turntablist Ron Tse. The band disbands after releasing one album and a 12" remix of the single Television' by Adrian Sherwood. (Alternative Tentacles label, 1988) The album mixes up many different styles including funk, hip-hop, & industrial sounds.

 

1992-1994

Michael forms (together with Ron Tse) the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, whose combination of jazz-influenced heavy rap set out to challenge the materialism and misogyny of what had become mainstream rap. They sign to Island Records in 1992 & put out their album "Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury".The record gives Michael a worldwide audience of listeners and fellow artists. One of these artists is Bono from U2 who askes Disposable Heroes to join them on the huge Zoo TV tour. This tour allowes Michael & the group to reach a huge audience. The album contains the singles 'Television, drug of the nation' and Famous and Dandy (like Amos 'n Andy)'.



1994-2006

Michael's next project, Spearhead, produces the critically acclaimed 'Home' in 1994, which contains his biggest single "Hole in the Bucket," a thoughtful lament on the plight of the homeless, and "Positive" which addresses the growing AIDS epidemic. The album contains funk samplings, sinuous guitar vamps, and soulful, melodic tracks about family and social injustice. The album contains the singles 'People in tha middle', 'Positive', 'Of course you can' and 'Hole in the Bucket'.


1997's 'Chocolate Supa Highway' is not as pop-friendly as 'Home' but neither did its themes of kidnappings and police brutality lend themselves to such overt accessability. Its mixture of harsher musical styles -- techno, rock, and funk -- is a step forward for Franti as his worldview broadened and deepened. The album containes the singles 'Keep me lifted', 'U can't sing our song' and Why 'O Why. Spearhead.


In 2001 Franti releases Stay Human. In it he expresses his anger at the system, his advocacy of love, and his belief in freedom through individuality and self-expression through a set of songs that revolve around a fictitious death penalty case. In it his embrace of the genres that inspired him is achieved with a musical eloquence.


In 2002 Michael Franti releases an acoustic collection called 'Songs from the front porch'. It's a lovely album which features new songs and different versions from earlier songs. The CD has a relaxed 'pot-smokin' vibe and it brings you definately 'closer to the sky'. Really intense and pure album.

 

 In 2003 Franti releases 'Everyone deserves music'. An album where love friendship, power to the peaceful and anti-war statements are high themes. There's again an amazingly positive feeling going out of this record, filled with pur and funky songs, combined with strong lyrics. For my review on this album, go here.

 
In 2005 Franti releases 'Love Kamikaze, the lost sex singles'. An album with 9 sweet and sexy unreleased tracks and remixes. All very relaxed songs of which the drum 'n bass tune 'I wish that I could be you' is one of my favorites along with the title track which reminds me of the smooth sounds of the Fun lovin' criminals. This album is rather a collectors item for fans rather than a commercial album. I like it that way :-)

 
That same year an official Boo Boo wax live record is released called 'Live in Alaska'. This double CD set features over 2 hours of performances hand-picked from the band's first Alaska Tour in June 2005. Recorded over 2 nights at the Bear's Tooth Theater in Anchorage, Ak, this special record features an introduction by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, 3 previously unreleased tracks, an acoustic piece and some older favorites. I'm unable to tell you anything more about this one, cause it's one of the single official records I don't have yet...

 
2005 is also the year Michael Franti & Guerilla Management release the long-expected documentary called 'I know I'm not alone'. An award winning film about Michael's journey to Iraq and Israel/Palestine. In 2004 Franti and his team organized a trip that would take him to the core of the red-zoned, war torn neighborhoods of Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza Strip armed with only a guitar, video cameras and the intent to experience first hand the human cost of war. Throughout his journey he shares his music with families, doctors, musicians, soldiers and everyday people who in turn reveal to him the often overlooked human cost of war. A must see!!


The 8th official Spearhead album is again a musical evolution. Not a single album has the same vibe or energy. The awesome aspect of 'Yell Fire' is the fact it brings out the great reggae vibes Spearhead produces during live shows. A remarkable guest appearance on the album is made by Pink on one of my favourite tracks called 'One step closer'. It's in my opinion not the best SPearhead album, though it has some great tunes like the pumping bass track 'Everybody ona move', the massive 'Light up ya lighters and the hit single 'I know I'm not alone'. Well worth to have in your collection!!