Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti & Spearhead grew out of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Franti had already made politically charged records with The Beatnigs and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. The early Spearhead albums, starting with Home, leaned toward warm, soul-inflected hip-hop. Over time the band moved toward sunnier reggae grooves and acoustic, sing-along songs, on records such as Stay Human, Yell Fire! and The Sound of Sunshine.

Franti's lyrics keep returning to peace, social justice and staying hopeful, often within the same song as a dancefloor chorus. He made the documentary I Know I'm Not Alone after travelling with a guitar through Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian territories. He is also recognisable on stage for performing barefoot, a habit he has kept for many years.