Joan Jett is a tough vegan badass rocker icon that defies all stereotypes. She burst onto the music scene and proved that women could write, produce, and perform rock music better than most men. She is an advocate for a vegan diet which keeps her strong, healthy, and looking like she hasn't aged a single day since 1980.

In a wonderful interview she gave recently she was asked about people who say that vegans/vegetarians are weak and her response was perfect:

"People who say things like that are the weak ones for eating animals when it is completely unnecessary to do so in order to sustain life. To give [in to] the urge to eat flesh just because you can—now that’s weak! It’s like eating your dog or cat. It may take something like bird flu or mad cow disease to convince people to stop killing animals for food."

TGIF because I couldn't wait to post this week's spotlight of vegan activist/musician Michael Franti. Michael plays music that blends rock, reggae, and rap and has toured with Ziggy Marley and U2 while becoming one of the most influential progressive musicians of the 21st century. He tours the middle east to encourage peace though music with his unforgettable mantra "Power to the Peaceful!"

Michael has been vegan ever since his son showed him the light. This gives us all hope that we can someday convince OUR dads to be this cool.

Michael Franti is renowned for his amazing live concerts (I can personally attest to this). He inspires love and peace in all types of people and he has been able to convince many people to apply that love to the animals they eat by going vegan.

If you've never heard anything by Michael Franti, now is the time. Here is a sample of some of my all-time favorites:

"Yell Fire!"

"Hello Bonjour"

"Rock the Nation"

This week we focus on one of the animal rights movements biggest celebrities, Joaquin Pheonix. Pheonix is a successful vegan actor/activists and the narrator one the most influential animal rights documentaries ever assembled, Earthlings. Rumor has it that Earthings will be one of his final films as he has recently retired from filmmaking.

Pheonix has been extremely active in the movement lending his celebrity to numerous ad campaigns and speaking out all over the world about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. He has been a vegan since the age of 3 and believes in living his life as a shining example of veganism. He has been nominated for an Oscar twice but barely missed the opportunity to become the first vegan to ever win.

If you don't have the time to see all 95 minutes of the film Earthlings, please watch the first 7 minutes here:

This week's spotlight falls on Vegan musician/activist Nellie McKay. McKay is one the best things happening right now in music. She blends feminism, animal rights, politics, and humor with incredible melodies in a way that is both emotionally moving and laugh out loud hysterical. McKay's music has so many layers to it. It is enjoyable if you choose to listen only to what's being shown on the surface but even more enjoyable if you decide to peel away the layers and listen over and over again.

McKay infuses animal rights and veganism in all of her music, but two of my favorites take a clear stance on the matter focusing on animal testing at Columbia University and loving your shelter dog.

"Columbia is Bleeding"

"Dog Song"

Nellie McKay is one of my favorite artists of all time. My best friend turned me on to her awhile back and it has been one of my most important musical finds ever.

Enjoy.

Her Website.