Michael Franti & Spearhead

After getting his start with the progressive protest hip-hop of The Beatnigs and The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy, Michael Franti moved on to a more accessible blend of rock, reggae, hip-hop, soul, jam, and politics with his current band, Spearhead. This phase in Franti’s career seemed to reach its apex with the shockingly peppy 2008 song “Say Hey (I Love You).” However, he followed that song up by signing to Capitol and releasing 2010's The Sound Of Sunshine, two moves that would have given the Franti of “Television, The Drug Of The Nation” an aneurysm. As it stands, the Franti of “Love Don’t Wait” and “Only Thing Missing Was You” seems content to keep strumming along on the beach.

Updated 05/29/2012