The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Michael Franti, Rono Tse |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Albums, singles |
| Website | www |
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was a United States-based hip-hop ensemble active during the early 1990s. Established in 1990 by Michael Franti (vocals, production) and Rono Tse (drums, percussion), both formerly part of The Beatnigs, the group issued two albums: the critically praised Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury (1992) and Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales (1993), which featured collaboration with writer William S. Burroughs.
Their inaugural live performance took place on August 23, 1991, in San Francisco. The band was associated with peers such as House of Pain and Pop Will Eat Itself, sharing stylistic elements with Gil Scott-Heron due to Franti’s semi-spoken vocal delivery and socially conscious lyrics. They embarked on extensive tours, supporting prominent artists including U2 during their Zoo TV Tour, as well as Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, and Arrested Development. Guitarist Charlie Hunter made his first recording appearance with this group before gaining acclaim in the jazz genre.
Career
Before forming this group, Franti and Tse were members of the industrial hip hop outfit The Beatnigs, which released a single album and toured internationally prior to disbanding.
Franti described the band's name as symbolizing how young black icons are frequently exploited by corporations and then discarded, representing "disposable heroes." The term "Hiphoprisy" underscores the inherent contradictions present in everyone’s life, including his own.
Their first album, Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury, earned critical praise yet achieved modest commercial results. Franti’s lyrics confronted societal issues such as media manipulation ("Television, the Drug of the Nation"), racial justice ("Socio-Genetic Experiment"), and homophobia ("Language of Violence"). The record features a cover of the Dead Kennedys' "California über alles" with revised lyrics referencing Governor Pete Wilson. The track "Television" received notable airplay on college and alternative radio stations; it had been initially recorded by The Beatnigs. Musically, the album fused sampling, scratching, rock, hip hop, and jazz influences. It is included in the collection 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The band maintained creative and political connections with Meat Beat Manifesto and Consolidated. Mark Pistel from Consolidated co-produced Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury, while mixing support was provided by Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto.
In 1993, they collaborated with author William S. Burroughs on Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales, supplying musical backing for his spoken word performances. The group dissolved soon thereafter.
Their management was overseen by Peter Jenner, notable for his work with Pink Floyd and The Clash.
Legacy
Following this project, Michael Franti established Spearhead, while Rono Tse worked alongside the Mystik Journeymen. In 1995, Franti characterized Spearhead as aiming for broader appeal compared to Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which he likened to "broccoli"—nutritious but less palatable for some listeners.
The group's approach to turntablism influenced DJ Product©1969, impacting his contributions to the rap rock band Hed PE.
Their song "Television, the Drug of The Nation" was ranked number 401 on NMEs list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2014.
Albums
Singles
- "(What Do I Do To Become) Famous and Dandy" (Worker's Playtime, 1990)
- "Television, The Drug of the Nation" EP (4th and Broadway, 1991)
- "Language of Violence" (4th and Broadway, 1992)
- "Live Television" (4th and Broadway, 1992)