Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are part of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located in Washington, D.C. 

We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

The Smithsonian may archive materials posted on this website pursuant to its document retention policies. By posting content, you are giving the Smithsonian and those authorized by the Smithsonian permission to use or modify it for any educational, promotional, or other standard museum purpose, in media of all kinds whether now known or later developed. For more on the Smithsonian's terms of use and privacy policies visit: http://www.si.edu/termsofuse 

Michael Franti is a globally renowned musician, humanitarian, and activist, celebrated for his high-energy live performances, socially conscious music, and unshakable optimism. With three Billboard No. 1 hits—“Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You),” and “I Got You”—and a track record of six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA singles, and three Billboard Top 5 albums, Franti has built a career on music that uplifts and unites. His concerts break down barriers between artist and audience, transforming venues into spaces of joy, connection, and shared humanity.

On March 28, 2025, Franti released his 14th studio album, Welcome to the Family, a collection of 13 new songs that embrace themes of inclusivity, self-discovery, and resilience. The lead single, “Break Up With Everything,” is currently climbing the US AAA charts, setting the tone for an album that channels personal and global challenges into anthems of hope and change. “Every one of us has a family—whether by birth, circumstance, or choice. When you put all those together, they form the world family. Right now, the world is filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and division. This album is about taking those emotions—what I experience every day—and turning them into music that reminds us we are never alone.”

To bring this message of connection to life, Franti will embark on the Welcome to the Family Tour, a nationwide summer trek with stops at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Pier 17, and more. Known for his immersive concert experience—where he often performs from the crowd, invites fans on stage, and fosters a true sense of togetherness—each show is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of unity and positivity.

Beyond music, Franti is the founder of Soulshine Bali, a forty-room, five-star boutique retreat in Ubud, Indonesia, dedicated to wellness, creativity, and human connection. He and his wife also founded Do It For The Love, a nonprofit that grants live music experiences to individuals facing life-threatening illnesses, veterans, and children with severe challenges. Since its inception, the foundation has granted over 3,500 wishes, touching more than 15,000 lives worldwide.

Franti’s career is defined by his ability to turn hardship into hope, fostering unity through music, activism, and philanthropy. Whether on stage, at his Bali retreat, or through his foundation, his purpose remains the same: to bring people together, lift spirits, and remind us all that we are part of something bigger. With Welcome to the Family, he continues to create not just music but a movement of love, inclusivity, and transformation.

House Head at heart. But you'll hear some Drum & Bass, Breaks, and other genres when I'm in the right mood. Starting going to raves in 1999. Started going to Burns in 2013. All about PLUR AND the Ten Principles.

Grace E Li is following