Michael Franti's Involvement in Conscious Music Dates Back 10

Michael Franti’s involvement in conscious music It probably has to do with people’s obsession with all dates back 10 years, and includes membership in both things “alternative.” They can justify playing it because the experimental rant band The Beatnigs and the indust of some intangible quality that the music has to make it rial rap crew The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. different from other black music. It almost seems like a Leading the hip-hop collective Spearhead, however, is result of some kind of backlash against hip-hop, like where Franti feels most comfortable, creating accessible where the media doesn’t understand that we’re coming funk heavy with positive vibes and peppered with revo from the same point as the other groups out there. You lutionary ideology. see articles on the “new” hip-hop music—but it’s all just Franti has been accused by some in underground cir hip-hop music. cles for softening his music in order to appeal to the Would you have a problem jeopardizing your "al mainstream. Indeed, the decidedly anti-pop stance his ternative” status by crossing over to work with MTV- former bands took does stand in stark contrast with style pop hip-hop groups? Spearhead’s more upbeat, snappy sound. But Franti No. I really don’t care where people think my credibil claims that Spearhead’s current image is the one he has ity is. always wanted to project, but was never afforded the op Would you go as far as doing a track with Puffy (pro portunity to until Capitol signed his band. ducer turned rap star extraordinaire), if it meant get Franti’s second album with Spearhead, titled Choco ting your message out to a lot of people? late Supa Highway does a good job quelling doubts that Yeah-1 just want to make the dopest beats I can. I want the singer/rapper/poet/producer has lost his edge. The to bring people in. I want to work in my studio every day record displays a host of influences, from reggae to coun doing songs, remixes, whatever. People underestimate try, and includes many insightful (and novel) lyrical ex I was unhappy with. Puffy, but he’s smart. He’s like Andy Warhol. plorations of contemporary issues. Despite the appear Like what? Huh? ance of Joan Osborne on one song (ugh!), the album is Avenues of publicity. We ended up having to hire ur Because his role as producer is to have huge ideas, di pretty damn good. ban independents to publicize. rect them and make sure the public sees the end result Do you see a problem with promoting black con He’s got a whole team of people who make the music and Arts week: Are you happy with the way Capitol has sciousness by means of a white-owned corporation? direct the videos, but he’s the one who’s creating the po handled your band’s career ? I see it more as a battle than anything. Sadly, it’s all ab pular culture. What he does ultimately informs people Michael Franti: It’s a complicated thing to work with out access. Like, I’m happy that our record has been which music to listen to, which clothes to buy, which a record label. I’ve been making music for 10 years and at added at like 60 urban stations — that’s more radio than drugs to consume.... He’s amazing. every label I’ve been at, there are cool people and there I’ve ever had playing my shit. But it’s ultimately all a re Do you think he’s at all conscious of what he’s are people who would just as soon sell toilet paper. sult of someone else’s knowledge of how to get my music doing? I heard they dropped their entire black music divi out there to the kids. He has consciousness — his message is right there on sion. How come Spearhead was the only band to re How important is radio to your career? the surface of everything he does. All of his stories are ab main on the label? It’s the only way a lot of kids hear new music. Thank out envy, jealousy and greed. There’s a coherent theme, We were one of the last groups Gary Gersh signed. So, fully for us, radio is starting to open up to some different to say the least. we were able to ride with that. hip-hop and R&B than they usually play. They’re play How do they handle your promotion if they don’t ing Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, the Fugees;... stuff there’s even have a black music staff? no way they would’ve played a few years ago. It’s really The entire situation has pretty much made it so that important because it gives some new people access to get Spearhead will be performing with Camp Lo and a I’ve had to keep them really accountable. The other day I their messages out. special guest this Sunday in the Hub. Call893-2833for had to go down there and talk to people about some stuff Why has radio picked up on that trend? more information. 2 A Thursday, May 1,1997 Daily Nexus Get ready for something loud, real loud. In mid- May, the peace of our serene campus is due to be shattered into millions of tiny pieces when the UCSB Filmmakers Co-op presents Reel Loud. Reel Loud, now in its Every Wednesday evening the Multicultural Center sixth year, is what you presents “Cup of Culture,” an evening of a film, coffee might call a “multimedia and talk. event.” The show is put on Touting a relaxed atmosphere between the hours of 5 by the UCSB Filmmakers and 7 p.m., the MCC Lounge serves as a meeting area Co-op to showcase stu where free coffee and light refreshments are served fol dent films, which are ac lowing the screening of a film in the MCC Theater at 6 companied by live bands p.m. and a range of other The purpose of the Wednesday event is to serve as an performances. open forum focused on bringing students together to So what’s it all about spoof are on the agenda, vided by an African drum even better.” watch and discuss culturally themed films in an informal then? and styles ranging from group to the thrills do All together now: “It’s setting, according to MCC Programming Director Daria Well, diversity appears avant-garde to classical nated by a fire juggler, get-ting better all the ti-i- Yudacufski. to be the name of thegame. Hollywood cinema are straight on through the ime” (musical emphasis ‘“Cup of Culture’ is a great place to relax as well as to “Eyeryone who has sure to be represented. planned after-party. please). Reel Loud has meet other people and talk about different issues. Also, it been involved in the plan The local, community- In addition to providing been developing and ex.- is a good opportunity to watch movies with other people ning of Reel Loud has driven, grassroots event fun ’n’ frolics, Reel Loud is panding since its humble that you normally wouldn’t be able to see, [providing] been committed to the no- hopes to provide some an important tool for pro beginnings in 1992, and the opportunity for cross-cultural interaction,” she said. tiori of variety,” explained thing for everyone, ac viding students with the the forecast is looking Charles Wolfe, film studies cording to event producer possibility of making a film good. So why not join in chair and faculty contact Tim Hoover. which may not otherwise and play your part in the for the project. “This show is not about have had a chance to come organic whole that is Reel Although the event’s Hollywood,” he said. “It’s into existence. Loud. Oh, by the way, if deadline for film submis about the audience con The festival is entirely anyone wants to get a bit sions was Wednesday, and necting with the filmmak student-run, and Hoover more deeply involved a final agenda has not been ers and the musicians. It’s encourages underclass (man), Tim’s still looking set, rumors have been cir a group effort — every men “to join the co-op and for a piano: All offers culating about these mini- body’s a part of it.” get involved at the end of welcome. cinematic gems. Subjects The festival looks all set this year to learn about the Reel Loud will be held as diverse as alcohol abuse to provide a good time for Reel Loud show, so that May 16th in Campbell and a “Where’s Waldo?” all, from the beats pro- next year the show will be Hall. —Kate Lauer THE PRINCETON DILBERT b y S C O t t A d ä m ö presented by REVIEW YOU WANT fAt TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT THAT I WON'T WORK. FOR A COMPETITOR The films shown focus on a variety of themes, Yuda FOR FIVE YEARS IF cufski said. I LEAVE HERE? “We show a lot of different types of films. Some deal with issues relating to race, gender or sexuality; also class. We show a lot of foreign films and a lot of indepen dent films by underrepresented filmmakers,” she said. Senior sociology major Josephus Villegas enjoys at tending the weekly event. “Basically it’s the kind of thing where students can get together and discuss things.

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