Michael Franti

3814 fans
Michael Franti knows all about the power of music. He knows how it can inspire, uplift and make people want to dance or cry. He felt it firsthand recently when he heard the children’s chorus at New York’s PS22 elementary school singing “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like),” the celebratory first single from Franti’s tenth studio album, All People.

“It moved me to tears, to hear these kids singing, ‘Everybody wants me to be who they want me to be.’ That’s who I wrote ‘People’ for. To let them know, your mission in life should be to be yourself and to embrace the diversity of others.”

It’s a rule the barefoot, 6-foot-6 San Francisco based singer-songwriter-guitarist and philanthropist has diligently followed over the past two decades, proactively creating and supporting numerous environmental, humanitarian and social causes. It explains the evolution of sound on All People, colossal dance beats and dizzying electronic effects taking the fore, as well as a lyrical sincerity that has always had Franti singing about what moves him most.

All People is the follow-up to Franti’s wildly successful 2010 release, “The Sound of Sunshine”, his highest charting album to date. Recorded primarily at his home with guitarist J Bowman, the two recorded some 35 songs before settling on the final track list for All People. For the first time, Franti reached out to collaborate with various writers and producers.

“It was like speed dating,” Franti says. “You’ve got a limited amount of time to write the greatest song you’ve ever heard. But when it works, it’s magic.”

The chemistry is evident on collaborations with multi-platinum Australian producer/songwriter Adrian Newman, who co-wrote “Long Ride Home,” “Closer To You,” “Say Goodbye” and “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)”, as well as with the seven-time Grammy-nominated Canadian production team The Matrix, who produced and co-wrote the tracks “11:59” and “On and On.”

Sam Hollander, another collaborator who has worked with chart-topping acts like Train, One Direction and Katy Perry, came on for the songs “Wherever You Are” and “I Don’t Wanna Go.” Franti says, “He also comes from a similar musical experience as I do, growing up when rap, punk and reggae were merging. But he also really knows the pop realm.”

Not that Franti has completely left behind the world of the 24-hour news cycle. His outrage can be heard on tracks like “11:59” and “Say Goodbye,” which was inspired by the Trayvon Martin shooting. Instead, Franti has both widened his scope of the world and pulled in closer for his most intimate moments.

Many of the love songs on All People are born from his relationship with his partner Sara. “These songs are about the power of unconditional love, born out of tough times. It’s rare to find someone who accepts you being your own authentic self. In the past I didn’t always give space for the broad spectrum of emotion, but this time I made an effort to write about everything I experience.”

More than ever, the songwriter looked to his primary influences for inspiration, referencing the wide range of work by music icons like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Marvin Gaye and the Clash. Of the sound on All People Franti says, “My favorite artists were great at pop form. I don’t think I’ve changed what I do. I just realized I can do it simpler and more direct.”

Franti and his band Spearhead are known for the communal spirit they create with their extraordinary live shows. The singer regularly brings down the barrier between the performers on stage and the people in the audience; whether venturing into the crowd to slap hands or pulling fans up to dance, sing and play along with the band. He’s a dynamic performer who effortlessly moves tens of thousands of people with his invocations. Watching him, you can't help but think about how much he delights in every moment.

From his beginnings in the post-punk band the Beatings and critically acclaimed hip-hop group Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (who toured with U2 and Public Enemy) Franti has remained a devoted defender of the underdog.

For a decade, Franti hosted the Power to the Peaceful free concerts in San Francisco, at first to support incarcerated political activist Mumia Abu Jamal, then as a platform to speak out against escalating violence around the globe. He’s made several trips to hot spots in the Middle East to see war’s human toll with his own eyes. In 2005, he made the film “I Know I’m Not Alone” about his travels through Iraq, Palestine and Israel.

“I made a commitment to myself years ago that I wouldn’t just read about what was happening in the world,” he says. “I needed to go and experience it.”

It was on these trips that he realized people don’t necessarily want to hear songs that bluntly address the ills of the world but rather songs that will offer them some escape from their difficulties.

“I wouldn’t want to live in a society where anger is a force that gets things done,” Franti says. “Some people react by throwing a trash can through a window. I’d rather go play music in a school, prison or war zone. Those are the ways I choose to affect change.”

The same week his 2009 smash “Say Hey (I Love You)” broke, eventually selling over 2-million downloads, Franti’s appendix ruptured and put him in the hospital close to death. It was another moment that changed his perspective on songwriting, leading to the triumphant tone of All People.

“I want to make music that is timeless,” Franti says. “At this point in my life when I turn on the radio and hear my song it means a lot to me. When I was a kid I would go on these long drives with my family I and still remember the songs we would listen to in the car. It means I’m part of somebody’s life passages. As an artist, I cherish those moments.”
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Top tracks

10
Ganja Baby
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
04:20
Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Rogers Young - David Shul
06
Anybody Seen My Mind
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:59
Composers: Michael Franti
01
Rock the Nation (Radio Edit)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
03:59
08
Stay Human
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
04:43
Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Young
07
Sometimes
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:46
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul
04
Love'll Set Me Free
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:41
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul - Carl Young
05
Love Invincible
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:21
Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Rogers Young - David Shul
19
Taxi Radio (feat. Sergent Garcia)
Michael Franti
best of
03:47
Writer: Bruno Garcia - Michael Franti / Composers: Bruno Garcia - Carl Young - Dave Shul - Michael Franti

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  • Discography
Albums
℗ 2002 Boo Boo Wax., Under exclusive license to Concord Music Group, Inc.
01-01-2002
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
01
Yes I Will
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
04:20
Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Rogers Young - David Shul
02
Closer To The Sky
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
04:12
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul
03
Firefly
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
02:28
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul
04
Love'll Set Me Free
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:41
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul - Carl Young
05
Love Invincible
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:21
Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Rogers Young - David Shul
06
Anybody Seen My Mind
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:59
Composers: Michael Franti
07
Sometimes
Michael Franti
Songs From The Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
03:46
Composers: Michael Franti - David Shul
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
EPs
24-04-2001
Rock the Nation EP
01
Rock the Nation (Radio Edit)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
03:59
02
Rock the Nation (Sound Unbound Instrumental Remix)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
06:04
03
Rock the Nation (Tuhoe Nation Vox Remix)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
05:09
04
Rock the Nation (Tuhoe Nation Instrumental Dancefloor Remix)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
05:10
05
Skin On the Drum (Bassnectar Remix)
Michael Franti
Rock the Nation EP
08:15
Singles
℗ 2020 Universal Music Italia Srl
02-07-2020
Da Domani
01
Da Domani
Chili Giaguaro
Da Domani
03:35
Writer: Michael Franti - Gianmarco Ruggieri / Composers: Gabriele Catalano
Nature
12-04-1999
Talking
01
Talking
Michael Franti
Talking
02:26
Composers: Michael Franti
Featured in
℗ 2004 Parlophone Music, une division de Parlophone Music France
26-11-2004
best of
01
Acabar mal
Sergent Garcia
best of
04:53
Writer: Bruno Garcia / Composers: Bruno Garcia - Julien Charlet
02
Adelita
Sergent Garcia
best of
03:52
Writer: B GARCIA - PL Jamain / Composers: B GARCIA - PL Jamain
03
Revolucion 2004 (feat. Rassi Hardknocks) (Radio edit)
Sergent Garcia
best of
03:36
Writer: Bruno Garcia - Steve SAGONCE / Composers: Bruno Garcia
04
No me digas
Sergent Garcia
best of
05:10
Writer: B GARCIA - D. CONYEDO GUTIERREZ / Composers: B GARCIA - PL Jamain - Vincent Jorgest
05
Poetas
Sergent Garcia
best of
03:29
Writer: B GARCIA - I F DARROMAN MONTOYA / Composers: I F DARROMAN MONTOYA
06
Viva la felicidad
Sergent Garcia
best of
02:56
Writer: B GARCIA - H GOMEZ GUILBEAUX - I F DARROMAN MONTOYA / Composers: B GARCIA - I F DARROMAN MONTOYA
07
Long Time
Sergent Garcia
best of
04:02
Writer: Bruno Garcia - Steve SAGONCE / Composers: Bruno Garcia
Access the complete album info (23 songs)
℗ 2008 Nonesuch Records, Inc.
04-01-2008
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
01
"This America, man."
The Wire
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
00:25
Writer: TV series dialog
02
Way Down in the Hole
The Blind Boys Of Alabama
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
02:56
Writer: Tom Waits / Composers: Tom Waits
03
"Why would anyone ever wanna leave Baltimore?"
The Wire
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
00:24
Writer: TV series dialog
04
Oh My God
Michael Franti
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
05:06
Writer: Michael Franti & Ramon Lazo
05
Dance My Pain Away
Rod Lee
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
02:07
Writer: Rod Lee
06
My Life Extra
DJ Technics
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
01:17
Writer: DJ Technics
07
"The king stay the king."
The Wire
...and all the pieces matter, Five Years of Music from The Wire (deluxe version)
00:47
Writer: TV series dialog
Access the complete album info (35 songs)
℗ 2014 Universal Music Italia Srl
01-01-2014
Museica
01
Canzone All'Entrata
Caparezza
Museica
02:02
Composers: Michele Salvemini
02
Avrai Ragione Tu (Ritratto)
Caparezza
Museica
04:23
Composers: Michele Salvemini
03
Mica Van Gogh
Caparezza
Museica
03:55
Composers: Michele Salvemini
04
Non Me Lo Posso Permettere
Caparezza
Museica
03:46
Composers: Michele Salvemini
05
Figli D'arte
Caparezza
Museica
03:38
Composers: Michele Salvemini
06
Comunque Dada
Caparezza
Museica
03:07
Composers: Michele Salvemini
07
Giotto Beat
Caparezza
Museica
03:33
Composers: Michele Salvemini
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
09-04-2002
1 Giant Leap
01
Dunya Salam
Baaba Maal
1 Giant Leap
02:55
02
My Culture
Robbie Williams
1 Giant Leap
05:39
03
The Way You Dream
Michael Stipe
1 Giant Leap
08:20
04
Ma' Africa
The Mahotella Queens
1 Giant Leap
04:48
05
Braided Hair
Speech
1 Giant Leap
04:03
06
Ta Moko
Whiri Mako Black
1 Giant Leap
05:09
07
Bushes
Baaba Maal
1 Giant Leap
06:34
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
℗ 2011 Boo Boo Wax
21-09-2010
The Sound Of Sunshine
01
The Sound Of Sunshine
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:45
Writer: Michael Franti - Carl Young - Jason Bowman / Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Young - Jason Bowman
02
Shake It
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:28
Writer: Michael Franti - Marion Mare Hall - Jason Bowman / Composers: Michael Franti - Marion Mare Hall - Jason Bowman
03
Hey Hey Hey
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:47
Writer: Michael Franti / Composers: Michael Franti
04
Anytime You Need Me
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:44
Writer: Michael Franti - Carl Young - Jason Baum / Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Young - Jason Baum
05
I'll Be Waiting
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
04:39
Writer: Michael Franti - Jason Bowman / Composers: Michael Franti - Jason Bowman
06
Only Thing Missing Was You
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:26
Writer: Michael Franti - Jason Bowman / Composers: Michael Franti - Jason Bowman
07
Say Hey (I Love You)
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Sound Of Sunshine
03:56
Writer: Michael Franti / Composers: Michael Franti - Carl Young
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
(P) 2012 Amnesty International USA
24-01-2012
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
01
One Too Many Mornings
Johnny Cash
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
03:47
Composers: Bob Dylan
02
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Raphael Saadiq
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
03:42
Composers: Bob Dylan
03
Drifter's Escape
Patti Smith
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
03:20
Composers: Bob Dylan
04
Ballad Of Hollis Brown
Rise Against
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
05:12
Composers: Bob Dylan
05
Blind Willie McTell
Tom Morello The Nightwatchman
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
05:15
Composers: Bob Dylan
06
Corrina, Corrina
Pete Townshend
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
02:33
Composers: Bob Dylan
07
Most Of The Time
Bettye LaVette
Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty International
05:15
Composers: Bob Dylan
Access the complete album info (76 songs)
℗ 2006 This compilation WaterTower Music as licensee for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
15-04-2006
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01
Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)
Cobra Starship
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:19
Composers: David Anthony Katz - Gabe Saporta - Sam Hollander - Travis McCoy
02
The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Remix)
Panic! At The Disco
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:35
Writer: Brendon Boyd Urie - Brent Matthew Wilson - George Ryan Ross - Spencer James Smith
03
Black Mamba (Teddybears Remix)
The Academy Is...
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:31
Writer: Michael Carden - Mike Caren - William Beckett
04
Ophidiophobia (Album Version)
CeeLo Green
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:56
Writer: Cee-Lo Green - M Horton - P. Brown - R. Murray - R. Wade - T Callaway
05
Can't Take It (El Camino Prom Wagon Mix)
The All-American Rejects
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:58
Writer: N. Wheeler - T. Wheeler
06
Queen of Apology (Fall Out Boy Mix)
The Sounds
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:05
Writer: F. Nilsson - F. Rodriguez - J. Anderberg - J. Bengtsson - M.Ivarsson
07
Of All The Gun Joints In All The World (Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
Fall Out Boy
Snakes On A Plane: The Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:14
Writer: A. Hurley - J. Trohman - P. Stump - P. Wentz
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
℗ 1999 Universal Music Italia Srl
10-05-1999
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
01
Per Te
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
04:41
Composers: Jovanotti - Michele Centonze - Saturnino Celani
02
Il Resto Va Da Se' (Album Version)
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
05:02
Composers: Michele Centonze - Jovanotti - Saturnino Celani
03
Dolce Fare Niente (Album Version)
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
03:58
Composers: Michele Centonze - Jovanotti
04
La Vita Nell'Era Spaziale (Album Version)
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
05:24
Composers: Jovanotti - Michele Centonze - Eugenio Finardi
05
Stella Cometa
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
03:52
Composers: Michele Centonze - Lorenzo Cherubini
06
Un Giorno Di Sole (Album Version)
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
04:47
Composers: Jovanotti - Michele Centonze - Saturnino Celani
07
Un Raggio Di Sole
Jovanotti
Lorenzo 1999 - Capo Horn
04:51
Composers: Jovanotti
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
℗ 2008 Universal Music Italia Srl
18-01-2008
Safari
01
Fango
Jovanotti
Safari
04:33
Composers: Lorenzo Cherubini - Michael Franti - Riccardo Onori
02
Mezzogiorno
Jovanotti
Safari
04:19
Composers: Lorenzo Cherubini - Riccardo Onori - Saturnino Celani
03
A Te
Jovanotti
Safari
04:24
Composers: Lorenzo Cherubini - Franco Santarnecchi
04
Dove Ho Visto Te
Jovanotti
Safari
04:29
Composers: Jovanotti - Riccardo Onori - F. Santarnecchi - Saturnino Celani
05
In Orbita
Jovanotti
Safari
04:33
Composers: Jovanotti - Riccardo Onori - Saturnino Celani
06
Safari
Jovanotti
Safari
04:26
Composers: Jovanotti - Saturnino Celani - Riccardo Onori - Giuliano Sangiorgi
07
Temporale
Jovanotti
Safari
05:53
Composers: Jovanotti - Riccardo Onori
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
2014 ATO Records, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
09-08-2014
Amid the Noise and Haste
01
Tear It Down
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
04:08
Writer: Jacob Hemphill / Composers: Jacob Hemphill
02
Your Song
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
03:21
Writer: Damian Marley - Jacob Hemphill / Composers: Damian Marley - Jacob Hemphill
03
I Believe
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
03:22
Writer: David Bell - Jacob Hemphill - Michael Franti / Composers: David Bell - Jacob Hemphill - Michael Franti
04
Easier
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
03:15
Writer: J Boog - Jacob Hemphill / Composers: J Boog - Jacob Hemphill
05
Shadow
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
03:51
Writer: Jacob Hemphill / Composers: Jacob Hemphill
06
Once Upon A Time
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
03:07
Writer: Jacob Hemphill / Composers: Jacob Hemphill
07
Promises and Pills
SOJA
Amid the Noise and Haste
04:30
Writer: Jacob Hemphill / Composers: Jacob Hemphill
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
℗ 2010 Nutone Music
23-02-2010
Yoga Revolution
01
Narayana/For Your Love
Krishna Das
Yoga Revolution
04:43
02
Salala (feat. Peter Gabriel)
Angelique Kidjo
Yoga Revolution
03:23
03
Sea Dreamer (feat. Sting)
Anoushka Shankar
Yoga Revolution
05:39
Writer: Anoushka Shankar - Karsh Kale / Composers: Anoushka Shankar - Karsh Kale
04
Ganesha
Wah!
Yoga Revolution
04:31
05
Prayer of St. Francis
Sarah McLachlan
Yoga Revolution
01:59
06
I Know I'm Not Alone
Michael Franti
Yoga Revolution
04:02
Writer: Carl Young - David Shul - Michael Franti
07
I Am
Guru Singh
Yoga Revolution
05:11
Access the complete album info (14 songs)