He’s a cultural icon, an outspoken voice on many issues like the death Penalty and has captured the hearts of many young women around the country. No Juan, I’m not talking about George W Bush, or even his nephew George P. I’m talking about hip hop artist and spoken word poet Michael Franti. Pushing music, lyrical and social boundaries is what Michael Franti has been doing for many years now, and he is one of the foremost artists of conscience in the country. Whether it is issues relating to HIV/AIDS, encouraging his community to go and get checked, singing out against sexual violence towards women or rapping about what he calls the hypocrisy of the United States government, Michael Franti is known around the world for his intellectual and socially conscious music.

From the streets of Seattle to the rally for Mumia Abu Jamal held yesterday here in Philadelphia, Franti is seen, especially by young activists of color, as one of them.

Guest:

• Michael Franti, the lead singer of the group Spearhead and a Spoken Word Poet.

Related link:

• Spearheadvibrations