Spearhead

  • San Francisco, CA
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
    genre
  • 1986
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Spearhead

Official Site: http://spearheadvibrations.com/ | @michaelfranti | facebook.com/michaelfranti


Michael Franti released only one album as half of the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, but it was praised for his insightful raps and Public Enemy-influenced beats. After disappearing for two years, Franti resurfaced in 1994 with Spearhead, a band more rooted in '70s funk. Eschewing the hip-hop beats of the Disposable Heroes, Franti and Joe "The Butcha" Nicolo opted for a funk/rap hybrid performed by a quartet of live musicians and with vocal backing from Mary Harris and toaster Ras I. Zulu. Tracks such as "Runfayalife" and "Crime to Be Broke in America" evoked memories of the classic early-'70s musical vision of Sly & the Family Stone, while Franti's humanist outlook was summed up in song titles "Love Is da Shit," "Piece O'Peace," and "Positive."

Three years lapsed before the release of the follow-up album, Chocolate Supa Highway, although Franti continued to promote his communal vibe with a series of acclaimed live shows under the Spearhead banner. Another long recording hiatus, during which Franti released a spoken word album (Live at Baobab) and concentrated on other projects, was broken in 2001 by the release of Stay Human, credited to Michael Franti and Spearhead. The album was built around the imaginary tale of Sister Fatima, a healer and activist put to death for a crime that her community believes she did not commit. Franti employed a traditional hip-hop conceit, the between-song skit or segment, to voice the concerns of Stay Human Radio at the impending execution. Through this medium, Franti delivered his message on such issues as capital punishment, the environment, and racial tolerance.

In 2003, Franti released the solo acoustic selection Songs from the Front Porch and the new Spearhead album Everyone Deserves Music. The latter steered the unit further away from hip-hop into acoustic funk, and featured the endearing protest anthem "Bomb the World" ("You can bomb the world to pieces/But you can't bomb it into peace"). In 2005, Love Kamikaze: The Lost Sex Singles & Collectors' Remixes appeared. Again billed only to Franti, it was a collection of Spearhead tracks that didn't quite fit into the albums they were originally recorded for (as well as a couple different mixes from the Stay Human album). In 2006, Franti and Spearhead released Yell Fire! The album was partially recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, and, along with the book and film I Know I'm Not Alone, was part of a trilogy that was themed as documenting Franti's recent visits to Israel, Palestine, and Iraq. Numerous live releases took Franti and Spearhead to 2008 and a new album, All Rebel Rockers. The album was once again recorded in Jamaica and featured the legendary rhythm section of Sly & Robbie. Franti and his band spent a few months touring in support of John Mayer before settling down to record again, releasing The Sound of Sunshine in 2010. ~ John Bush, Rovi

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Music

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  • I'll Be Waiting
    spearhead
    Video
    I'll Be Waiting
  • The Sound Of Sunshine
    spearhead
    Video
    The Sound Of Sunshine
  • Hello Bonjour
    spearhead
    Video
    Hello Bonjour
  • 676
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
    0:00
    Audio powered by
    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • The Unexpected
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/0/9/6/3/183336900.mp3
    • Love Song
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/8/9/1/7/107171983.mp3
    • Subvertise
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/8/1/0/7/107170186.mp3
    • Anti-Social
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/0/2/2/7/107172200.mp3
    • Culture Chameleon
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/9/3/0/7/107170390.mp3
    • Death Lock
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/6/3/0/7/107170368.mp3

Photos

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  • Spearhead
    Courtesy of Six Degrees Records

News

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  • Spearhead
    A Smilefest Reunion with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Keller Williams and More
    www.jambands.com
    with Laura Ree, Keller and The Keels, Jeff Coffin's Mu'tet, MaGraw Gap Reunion, Pimps of Joytime, Josh ... A Smilefest Reunion with Michael Franti & S...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Michael Franti & Spearhead: The Sound of Sunshine
    American Songwriter
    memorable moments to be found here. "I'll Be Waiting" is one highlight, melding the hooks from "Brass in Pocket" and "Every Breath You Take" into a sw...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Michael Franti & Spearhead: The Sound of Sunshine
    American Songwriter
    memorable moments to be found here. "I'll Be Waiting" is one highlight, melding the hooks from "Brass in Pocket" and "Every Breath You Take" into a sw...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Michael Franti & Spearhead, Zac Brown Band Confirmed for Sailing Southern Ground Cruise
    www.jambands.com
    A new music cruise will embark this September. The Sailing Southern Ground Cruise will hit the open water from September 2-6, featuring performances b...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Michael Franti & Spearhead, Andrew Bird, Todd Boston, the Wailers Confirmed for Wanderlust Vermont
    www.jambands.com
    Verrochi, among many others. Berkshire's burlesque show Gypsy Lane, Vermont's own Bread & Puppet and Vermont Vaudeville will also all perform. Art ins...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Mountain Jam 2012 Lineup: Steve Winwood, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Roots, Ben Folds Five
    www.jambands.com
    Steve Winwood, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Roots, Ben Folds Five and The Word (ft. Robert Randolph, John Medeski and the North Mississ...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    The Hangout Confirms Dave Matthews Band, Jack White, Skrillex, String Cheese Incident, Wilco, Dispatch, Steve Winwood, The Flaming Lips, Chris Cornell, STS9 and Michael Franti & Spearhead
    www.jambands.com
    Dave Matthews Band, Jack White, Skrillex, String Cheese Incident, Wilco, Dispatch, Steve Winwood, The Flaming Lips, Chris Cornell, STS9 and Michael Fr...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Wilco, Michael Franti & Spearhead and The Shins Set For Vail Snow Daze
    www.jambands.com
    Wilco, Michael Franti & Spearhead and The Shins will co-headline Vail Snow Daze 2012. The ski town's annual winter season kick off will take place fro...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Dave Matthews Debuts New Songs at Life is good Fest, Boyd Tinsley Sits in with Spearhead
    www.jambands.com
    the only Away From the World songs Matthews has yet to play live is "Belly Full" and "Drunken Solider." Life is good featured a few other notable coll...
    Read More
  • Spearhead
    Robert Plant & Sensational Space Shifters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Robert Randolph and More Confirmed for JamBase Live
    www.jambands.com
    the first-ever JamBase festival will take place at George, WA's Gorge Amphitheatre on July 5 and 6. Other confirmed acts include: Galactic, Railroad E...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Jul 3 Wednesday
    Morrison, CO, US Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 17 Wednesday
    Cleveland, OH, US House of Blues
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 18 Thursday
    Cincinnati, OH, US Bogart's Cincinnati
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 10 Saturday
    Troutdale, OR, US Mcmenamin's Historic Edgefield Manor
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 11 Sunday
    Bend, OR, US Les Schwab Amphitheater
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 13 Tuesday
    Saratoga, CA, US Mountain Winery
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 14 Wednesday
    Paso Robles, CA, US Vina Robles Amphitheatre
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • Chocolate Supa Highway (1997)
    Spearhead
    Chocolate Supa Highway (1997)
    Capitol/EMI Records
  • Home (1994)
    Spearhead
    Home (1994)
    Capitol/EMI Records
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