Michael Franti first came to prominence fronting the hip hop band The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, particularly through the song Television, The Drug Of The Nation – a scathing attack on politics, corporate greed, sloganeering, the mass media and those who failed to question the messages they were fed or the motivations behind them in the “United States of unconsciousness”. From the outset it was clear that as a hip hop artist Michel Franti had a lot more on his mind than the shallow posturings of gangsta rap.
Spearhead was formed after the demise of the Disposable Heroes, and while still embracing hip hop, the musical palette of Franti’s new outfit broadened considerably in the albums that followed to include elements of soul, funk, reggae, rock, ska and jazz. Lyrically the music of Spearhead continued to address the political, but increasingly also the personal, with issues like social injustice, living with HIV, world peace, the environment and racial intolerance.
I spoke to Michael Franti a few years after he’d made the superb documentary I Know I’m Not Alone, filmed during a visit to the Middle East during the Iraq War. The film looked at the human cost of war by speaking to those involved and affected by its consequences. Franti had no official permission to be there, he simply took his guitar and a camera to gain a better understanding of the situation outside of the media coverage he’d witnessed at home. During that trip Michael took the opportunity to explore the Israel/Palestine conflict first hand as well, the results of which were also included in the film.
With the continuing fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East – including the present world refugee crisis with its origins stemming back to the Iraq War, the human cost continues to rise and Michael Franti’s message holds as much currency now as it did then. Whether it’s world peace or climate change Franti sees the unity of humanity as the solution and his resolve remains unchanged.
This podcast interview was recorded on a beach near Byron Bay, the location of Bluesfest, a music festival with which Michael Franti has virtually become synonymous through the enthusiasm of the local crowds over his many performances there. For Michael Franti it’s a place that’s become a spiritual home.
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