Michael Franti
Michael Franti
Michael Frantiis an American rapper, musician, poet, spoken word artist and singer-songwriter. Michael Franti is known for having participated in many musical projects, including the Beatnigs and the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. He is the creator and lead vocalist of his current independent project, Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRapper
Date of Birth21 April 1966
CityOakland, CA
CountryUnited States of America
We would play songs live on stage, and then we'd watch their reaction we were receiving immediately, if people were dancing and singing along. If they weren't, then we'd go into the dressing rooms of the different NBA teams that we were playing in their arenas, and we'd change the songs right there.
I think that fear comes about when there's things in the world that we want to change, things we're scared or angry about, and we can't change them, and so we become fearful; we develop anxiety.
Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood.
Traveling to the Middle East and playing music for people on the street, for soldiers, for people in hospitals, and for people who lost their homes, and seeing people open up through the experience of music really restored my faith in music, in art, and in culture to change things.
I don't know if it's so grand that I can change the entire world, but I know that I can help one person. So that's the goal.
The world can't have a global solution to climate change with U.S. action alone; and the world can't have a global solution without U.S. action.
The U.S. has historically been the world's largest contributor to climate change.
The U.S. has historically been the world's largest contributor to climate change.
The music industry has been hijacked by corporate interests, but the way music affects people and resonates with them hasn't changed.
When someone can't afford to wear shoes, it's not just about them not having shoes on that day. It's about a cycle of poverty that exists within their community.
To sit back and say, 'Oh, we're going to let the government do whatever they want, right or wrong,' is giving up.
I came up playing in both punk rock bands and hip-hop bands, and I found a more universal way of reaching people, especially with music that has a message to it.
I'm always trying to find optimistic ways to express myself.
I have a desire that I want to make people feel happy through my music. I'm always trying to find optimistic ways to express myself.