Singer Michael Franti exudes optimism. In fact, he wants all of his songs to be “uplifting.” One of his albums is even called “The Sound of Sunshine.”
And he has that “glass half full” outlook about the streaming industry too. He says it’s a platform for discovery.
“Someone who has never known you before used to have to wait for your song to come on the radio and maybe it never would. Maybe they’d never hear you,” Franti told Cheddar’s Jon Steinberg. “[Now] you can find fans in parts of the world that never had access to you before.”
While the streaming industry may have replaced the need to buy songs, ruining one revenue stream, Franti thinks it has opened the door to another, leading to more loyal fans who show up for concerts.
“I was talking to a friend of mine who goes, ‘I’d rather have 100 fans than a million followers.’ And I really believe that,” said Franti.
In the 1990s, Franti was the lead singer for the hip hop band Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Then in 2010, his “Say Hey” climbed to the Billboard Top 20.
Earlier this week, Franti was awarded the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award at the PTTOW! conference in Ojai, Calif., which this year attracted the likes of Vans global brands president [Doug Palladini](https://cheddar.com/videos/on-board-with-vans), NBA All-Star [Baron Davis](https://cheddar.com/videos/tech-no-foul), and celeb DJ [Steve Aoki](https://cheddar.com/videos/why-steve-aoki-says-the-streaming-industry-is-great-for-music).
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/michael-franti-spreads-love-and-optimism-with-his-music).
On this episode of ChedHER: Podcast Host of 'That's Total Mom Sense' breaks down the biggest challenges mothers are facing today; CEO of Joro explains how her app can help users track, reduce, and automatically offset the carbon footprint of their purchases; Three ways to improve your financial wellbeing and set goals for yourself and your future.
Kanika Chadda-Gupta, TV Journalist and Podcast Host of 'That's Total Mom Sense,' joins ChedHER to discuss the challenges mothers are facing today and gives advice for changing up your career path.
Sanchali Pal, Founder and CEO of Joro, joins ChedHER to discuss how her app can help users track, reduce, and automatically offset the carbon footprint of their purchases, and gives advice for other women seeking careers in climate.
According to a recent analysis in the NYTimes, young Americans have begun to take on the habit of smoking cigarettes despite the decades of evidence showing just how dangerous they are. Contributor at New York Times John Ortved, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Terrell Jermaine Starr, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council and host of the Black Diplomats podcast joins Cheddar News to discuss Russia's attempt to invade Ukraine.
Aditi Mayer, a climate justice activist joins Cheddar News to discuss her partnership with DoSomething.org and how a new PSA is working to shine a light on environmental racism.
Connected cars software development platform Smartcar announced this week it has raised $24 million in a Series B round led by Energize Ventures. Smartcar's software can be integrated into mobile and web apps from mobility businesses. It allows users to do things like locate and unlock a vehicle, as well as check its mileage, fuel level, and battery if the vehicle is electric. Smartcar's technology is compatible with 22 different vehicle brands in 31 different countries. Smartcar co-founder and CEO Sahas Katta joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
The drama surrounding tennis star Novak Djokovic continues after he was deported from Australia over the weekend due to the nation's COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Djokovic was forced to leave the country on the eve of what was to be his first match in defense of his Australian Open title after three judges ruled in favor of his removal and revealed their reasoning for doing so. Adding to his woes, a law recently passed in France is putting his chances of defending his French Open title in jeopardy. The director of Marist's Center for Sports Communication, Jane McManus, joined Cheddar to discuss the ongoing fallout.
