Cherine Anderson makes Billboard debut

Cherine Anderson has joined a growing list of Jamaican performers who have been making moves on the Billboard charts in America within the past year. She is credited as a featured performer on Michael Franti and Spearhead’s Say Hey (I Love You) single. The track moved from 43 to 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart. It is also moving up Billboard’s Pop 100, Adult Top 40 and Pop 100 Airplay charts.

While this is the first ever Billboard chart entry for Anderson, it is Franti’s third time on any Billboard listing. He had previously charted with two albums, namely Yell Fire and All Rebel Rockers. This is his Franti’s first time on any Billboard singles charts.

Franti, an American poet, musician, and composer of African, Native American, Irish, French, and German descent is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues.

He began his music career in 1986 as part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs. While attending the University of San Francisco and living above KUSF he developed a fascination with music and decided to start a band. The Beatnigs released a self-titled LP and an EP Television on Alternative Tentacles records.

His next project, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, found Franti continuing his collaboration with Tse, and working with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, and electronic musicians Mark Pistel (Consolidated) and Jack Dangers (Meat Beat Manifesto). The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy wrote biting, progressive lyrics that railed against the injustices of the world, set to a fusion of industrial and hip hop. Their first album, Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury (on Island Records) won acclaim for its social commentary. They later opened for U2 on their Zoo TV tour.

In 1994, Franti formed a new band called Spearhead with a few studio musicians, including mainstay Carl Young, and announced the dissolution of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Their first release, Home, in September 1994, was a departure from the politically charged rap of the Disposable Heroes and drew more from funk and soul music.

Their follow up album Chocolate Supa Highway was released in March 1997, with several changes in band members between releases. This album featured a return to hip hop elements and a pronounced reggae influence and included guest appearances from the likes of Stephen Marley and Joan Osborne.

The group's newest album All Rebel Rockers was released in September 2008. It was mostly recorded here in Jamaica at Anchor studio. It features collaborations with Sly and Robbie as well as Anderson.