The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy were an American hip-hop musical ensemble, active during the early 1990s. The band was formed in 1990 by Michael Franti (vocals, production, misc. instruments) and Rono Tse (drums, percussion, programming), who had worked together in The Beatnigs.
The group was associated with contemporary bands, including House of Pain and Pop Will Eat Itself. They also were somewhat reminiscent of Gil Scott-Heron due to the half-spoken vocal styles of Franti and the up-front political messages in the music.
Explaining the name of the new group, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Franti said in 1992 that
:"If you're a young black person, your only role models are athletes and entertainers. You see these people used by the corporate system to make money, after which they're thrown on the scrap heap. they're disposable heroes...the name Hiphoprisy deals with the fact that, inevitably, there is hypocrisy in all of our lives, including mine"
Their debut album, Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury, received critical and underground acclaim upon its release in 1992, but was not commercially successful.
Peter Jenner, who had managed Pink Floyd and The Clash, managed the group.
Legacy
Michael Franti later formed Spearhead,
The style of turntablism developed by the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was influential on DJ Product©1969, who credited his work, including as a member of the rap rock band Hed PE, as being influenced by Disposable Heroes.
"Television, the Drug of The Nation" was listed at number 401 on NME's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2014.
Discography
Albums
- Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury (1992)
- Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales (1993)