Michael Franti

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Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California) is an American poet, musician, and composer of African, Native American, Irish, French, and German descent.
Franti is the creator and lead vocalist of 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 social justice issues.
Michael Franti was adopted by Carole Wisti and Charles Franti, a white Finnish American couple in Oakland, who had three biological children and one other adopted African American son.
Michael attended Davis Senior High School and graduated from the University of San Francisco.
He has two sons: Ade with his wife Tara Franti-Rye, and Cappy from a previous relationship.
Franti began his music career in 1986 as part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs.
His next project, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, working with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, and electronic musicians Mark Pistel and Jack Dangers.
In 1994, Franti formed a new band called Spearhead with a few studio musicians, including mainstay Carl Young, and announced the dissolution of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy.
Michael Franti played three different events to commemorate President Barack Obama's inauguration: The Green Ball, The Peace Ball and the Rock the Vote Party.