The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
Michael Franti and Rono Tse
Michael Franti and Rono Tse
Background information
OriginBay Area, San Francisco, United States
GenresHip hop, industrial hip hop, alternative hip hop, political hip hop, spoken word poetry
Years active1990–1993[1]
Labels4th & B'way, Island
Past membersMichael Franti
Rono Tse
Charlie Hunter
Simone White

The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy were an American hip-hop musical ensemble, active during the early 1990s.[2] 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.[1] They released two albums, the critically acclaimed Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury in 1992, and Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales (with William S. Burroughs) in 1993.

Their first live performance was on August 23, 1991 at the Kennel Club in San Francisco.[3]

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.[2] The Disposable Heroes played many concerts, sometimes opening the bill for more well-known acts such as U2 (on their landmark Zoo TV Tour), Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana and Arrested Development.[1] Guitarist Charlie Hunter made his recording debut with the Disposable Heroes before earning fame in jazz.

  1. ^ a b c Hoffmann, Frank (2005). Rhythm and Blues, Rap, and Hip-hop. Infobase Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 9780816069804.
  2. ^ a b Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 275. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  3. ^ Island Records promotional material, August 13, 1991