Music is a complicated playground, man. Every genre carries it’s own stigma and works best under certain circumstances. I think that’s what makes hybrid music so accessible; it allows fans of certain styles to listen to a myriad of different sounds while still residing within their comfort zone. Michael Franti and the boys from Spearhead offer us just that. It gives hip hop fans a taste of reggae and dub-rock they normally wouldn’t go near, and Michael Franti is so much more than a reggae artist or rapper. He’s a revolutionary who yearns more for equality than record sales. And the best thing about him is he’s achieving one through the other. His politically charged songs are selling by the millions and, through his music, Franti is bringing the world’s attention to the injustices and conflict that’s tearing it apart.

All the Rebel Rockers is another gem to add to Franti’s already prolific catalogue. Recorded entirely in Jamaica, you can hear the sounds of Kingston bleeding through each track. It’s more than fun music to chill out to or funky beats to blaze your herbal remedies to. It’s social commentary to start a riot to, rebel music made for marching to town hall with. The rebellious undertone is undeniable and unlike most politically driven music, the music is far from solemn. It’s funky and fresh while still addressing the issues that matter, the problems in our world that people feel insignificant about.

It’s always interesting when artist take a political standpoint. U2 are famous for their charity work and their missions of social awareness. But on the flipside, Bono’s a tool and I read somewhere he doesn’t pay tax. Franti on the other hand, is the cool barefoot activist. His music is far more empowering and a lot more soulful. Franti is anything to any man. The reggae brother you listen to while you burn one down, the smooth cat you use to serenade your women and the political activist filming moving documentaries about the cost of war in some of the most horrific conflict zones in Iraq, Palestine and Israel. I Know I’m Not Alone was Franti’s directorial debut and has received critical praise from not only film festivals across the globe, but other activists such as Serj Tankian, and even organizations like Amnesty International.

But enough background, let’s look at the album. All the Rebel Rockers kicks off with Rude Boys Back In Town. A very reggae welcome back track with chilled instrumentals, ideal soundtrack for blazing some of your finest O.G. Kush to. Following this jam is A Little Bit Of Riddim with a guest appearance from Jamaican dance hall queen Cherine Anderson. As the album progress the message becomes clearer: Michael Franti wants to change the world through his music, and his revolution can only begin through awareness. There are several grooves of social commentary such as Hey World (Remote Control Version) a light-hearted poke of man’s obsession with control and the media. There’s also Hey World (Don’t Give Up Version) a completely different song about human empowerment. Franti tells his listeners that although the world can seem bleak, no matter what, we shouldn’t give up on this planet because it’s the only one we’ve got.

This album is proof of Michael Franti’s versatility. A clear example of how every song can be viewed as a rock anthem, reggae jam or song of protest. Pick up this album and see what you can take away from it. Regardless of how you interpret his style or what aspect engulfs you, it will change the way you look at the world. It will give you hope, stir up passion and, above all else, have your inner rebel rocking.