The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

To call Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy an innovative hip-hop crew is an understatement. Refugees of San Francisco industrial/hardcore act the Beatnigs, the duo of politically charged MC Michael Franti and knob-turner Rono Tse was unlike any act around when its landmark debut (and only real studio album) Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury dropped in 1991. Franti enunciated his provocative lyrics with a level of force out of the Gil Scott-Heron playbook as Tse threw together frantic, jazzy backbeats with samples ranging from soul songs to speeches and rallies. After a collaboration with writer William S. Burroughs, the pair went their separate ways, with Franti fronting the long-running collective Spearhead and Tse working with Mystik Journeymen.