Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury

Love that.

Love this album, 2 nd time round, I’m buying it

mostly about US politics

I saw Michael Franti's subsequent band - Spearhead - a couple of times and it was a great live show - with a much more positive love everyone message than Disposable Heroes. The anger in HITGL is front and centre and cannot help but compare the late 90's to now and how more deeply fucked everything now is. Complaining about the influence of TV seems so quaint relative to social media. I can see why Franti moved towards love as staying angry and getting every angrier would have eaten him up.

Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury You could say this is very prescient, that the social and political themes Franti (V ‘03!) raps about are very apposite today, or you could say same as it ever was - the inequities of 1991 aren’t just the same as they are in 2026, they are the same as 1977 or 1968 or 1951 or whichever year you might choose. Or you could say, like the album cover, it's all very obvious and simplistic - tv bad, government bad, inequality bad etc etc. Musically it does feel caught between a kind of Public Enemy-lite and a more Jazzy golden age of hip hop sound, and it’s definitely more successful when it leans on the latter - the piano and flute parts of Famous and Dandy are much better than its siren laden intro. Television the Drug of the Nation is of course well known and it is great, if a little heavy handed in places, again leaning more on that golden age jazziness rather than the more frenetic Bomb Squad sound. Language of Violence, The Winter of the Long Hot Summer, California Uber Alles and Water Pistol Man are all good too, variously low key and jazzy or in the case of California Uber Alles tracing the line of social protest and DIY from punk to hip hop. There are a few dips, Socio Genetic Experiment is strangely annoying and Music and Politics has the earnest discomfort of attending a slam poetry night. It’s on the cusp of 3 and 4 - a lot of it is great, but for me it doesn’t quite seem to come together as a whole, so I’ll go with the highest of 3s. 📺📺📺 Playlist submission: Television, the Drug of the Nation

Interesting. But not titillating. The samples are not used to provide killer hooks but repeating grooves (usually bass), over which to deliver the message. Musically, the variety is minimal. There are some tracks that lean more to a Public Enemy/Bomb Squad sound ('Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury'); and many more the Native Tongues' relaxed style, now and again backed with dub bass - almost trip-hop basslines ('Socio-Genetic Experiment has a bassline Massive Attack would be proud of). 'Television the Drug of a Nation' turns out to be the most memorable track, "where sound bite politics are served to the fast-food culture". Great lyrics, a catchy hook, and something like a chorus. Whilst indifferent to the music, it's not really about that now is it. Some cutting observations about societal injustices that prove to be startlingly prescient, delivered almost by spoken-word beat poetry. Very well observed and articulated such that it is always interesting. Just not melodically concerned, not interested in providing the listener with any musical variety. Still - a vital piece of work.

Still extremely timely. I feel like each song could have been shorter though

01)Satanic Reverses - 6,5 02) Famous and Dandy (Like Amos and Andy) - 6,5 03) Television, the Drug of the Nation - 6,5 04) Language of Violence - 6,0 05) The Winter of the Long Hot Summer - 5,5 06) Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury - 5,0 07) Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk - 5,5 08) INS Greencard A-19 191 500 - 5,0 09) Socio-Genetic Experiment - 6,0 10) Music and Politics - 5,5 11) Financial Leprosy - 5,0 12) California über alles - 5,5 13) Water Pistol Man - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,69 (57/100) Current ranking: 703/833

Modern day spin on gil scott heron. Well educated piece of music with a popular sound. Overly concious music like this that lacks subjective input is always a tricky listen for me because I somepoint I take the headphones off and I say "ALRIGHT I GET IT!" But in addition to my light intolerance that digital underground/public enemy beat and flow is unmistakably annoying also. Bro is trying to hit a word count on the songs instead of letting them breathe. 3 stars for performance 2 stars for production. Average 2.5.

Depressing as hell that these lyrics are still so relevant over 30 years later - fuck-all has changed. Appreciate the message but not so much the delivery. 2.5

se odeia e critica os estados unidos tá em casa né mas fato é que esse álbum realmente precisava de uma produção mais aprofundada tem muita beat cansada no meio do caminho

eh, rap de mensagem de ótima qualidade. mas concordo co amigo, precisava de uma produção mais polida. não que seja ruim, mas é longo e fica mei cansativo...

Not my kind of music, but the content is still relevant and true today. 3/5

2/10, a shame, the beats are amazing but the lyricism/rap is horrible.

Likte da egentlig litt, men også litt for hippety hip hop

Was not a fan of this. The conscious message is cute n cool and all but the music sounds like bullshit. Won’t be revisiting. EDIT 25SEP2026: Yea this shit deserves a 1. I was being nice when I gave it a 2

We live in a society… No but in all seriousness, this is all still extremely potent and relevant. I just didn’t care much for the music or delivery, but that shouldn’t take away for the message.

I love this album. It was probably the lp that showed me what hip hop could be (well that and Public Enemy headlining the 1992 Reading Festival). Readng the other reviews I think this probably had a bigger impact on the Indie/Alt community in Britain than on the Hip Hop world. Listening again I can see why some would call the flow old fashioned, but this I don't listen to enough rap for it to sound dated to me. The subject matter, however, is unfortunately modern.

Oli tätä synasoundien rappia jota ei minun päässä hiphopiksi kunnolla lueta vaikka onkin concious meininkiä. Vaisua minun makuun. Räp oli munallisen kuulosta ja hyvä ulosanti siltikin!

Apprezzato molto le sonorità e i testi politicizzati (e che si capivano), manca un poco di emozione nel timbro della voce e nelle basi

Thoughtful

Solid

I love the concept but don't care about the product. Pretty luxurious, I know

Rap made by people who just finished their first semester of college and have all the answers, man.

He may be spittin'

I didn't enjoy this even though I am not against the messages.

Its been 25+ years since I've listened to the full album but still familiar. Introduced to them by U2 having them open up on the Zoo TV tour, and certainly fit - definitely didn't fit the other rap coming out at the time.

niente di speciale ma non l’ho ascoltato benissimo, però interessante per la denuncia sociale

Tem uns beats envolventes e um bom flow do vocalista, mas o álbum já tá bem datado, além de ser longo a ponto de se arrastar.

feels like it fits somewhere in the realm between public enemy and gil scott-heron. michael franti's flow sounds a bit dated these days (definitely of the golden age of hip hop) but is definitely owed to the sound of chuck d. it's a pretty boldfaced political album, which i don't mind, but also is a bit heavyhanded with the political statements. i'm sure to some people this album feels like a lecture. the beats here are alright and are definitely of the time, but there aren't too many moments that stand out from one another. i wish i felt stronger about this album. it has a lot of characteristics of music i would like, but it feels less than the sum of its parts.

Interesting political album.

Certainement le meilleur album 1⭐️ qu’on a eu à date. 1.49 étoiles

Wow, a hiphop album on this list that I've never heard of. Not sure if I should be impressed or suspicious. Let's see. First impression is the guy sounds a lot like Chuck D, both in voice, delivery and subject matter. Then sometimes he sounds like Gil Scott Heron--I think intentionally. Then throw in some Jello Biafra. I feel like this is something every anarchist kid dreams of, starting with the name. Kind of like Immortal Technique but without the battle rap chops and flair. It definitely sounds like 1992, but not necessarily in a good way. The tracks aren't super well-done, especially given this is smack-dab in the middle of the golden era of rap. I love the message, but his flow, rhyme schemes, and the beats, aren't super compelling. 3/5

If you've got some important shit to say but your beats are THIS wack, you should just write a book instead.

Spoken word forward music doesn’t usually do it for me. It works on “television and the drug of a nation,” but otherwise it got old quick.

this website is making me realize i really don't like rap anymore

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury along with being one of the biggest mouthfuls of an album to say (especially if you include the group's name too) is a pretty good hip-hop album. It apparently appears to be industrial hip-hop which is a genre i haven't heard much of together but quite a lot of separately. And i see it with some of the electronic vibes in some of the instrumentals which are pretty good sounding by the way and i also like that the lyrics aren't terribly shallow which is a problem which plagues a lot of hip-hop records. My only issue with this album is the length of some of the songs which in some cases, go on for far longer than they need to. It is still a pretty solid album despite this blunder. Best Song: California Uber Alles Worst Song: The Winter of the Long Hot Summer

鼓还挺爽的

The message of this album is still pretty poignant even today, but where this album excels in message it stumbles with the beats, and so can't reach the higher heights it feels it could.

I dig this one. I'm not much of a fan of rap and when I find ones that I do like they typically have original music supporting the prose. And holy shit! I just realized this is Michael Franti. I love Franti. I've seen him live at least 5x. I had no idea this was his previous work.

Fun lyrics

Well, I liked what I was able to listen to. There's four tracks that aren't available anywhere I can find. Anyway, I can't say the rapping is particularly good - he's mostly just talking over a beat. But what he's talking about remains relevant today in most cases. Good record, but not great.

Wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I actually really enjoyed it. Good beats, good messages that are surprisingly still applicable over 30 years later. (4)

Politically charged hip hop. The beats weren't bad but with the songs all being 4+ minutes long each one got a bit repetitive. Just about every song covers a new political topic too, making the whole album feel a bit unfocused.

This isn’t generally the style of music I’d go for, but wow it somehow really gets you to sit up and listen. I kept thinking (sadly) how crazy it is that the lyrics are still so applicable today, especially with what’s going on in the US currently. And this was from 34 years ago!

Not bad, old school rap. At least it’s rap with a message, that you can relate to.

8/10 it was a powerful album focusing on some heavy topics really prevalent right now, he was able to convey such a strong message with some good beats

Jedna z tych rzadkich płyt, w których druga połowa jest lepsza od pierwszej. Trudno mi ją przez to ocenić. Końcówka to takie 7/10 a początek 6/10. Końcowo daję 6.5/10 równane w dół, bo chociaż doceniam flow i poczucie humoru to całość jednak robi dość średnie wrażenie.

Political and musical. Like the jazz touches and motifs that litter this album. A tad preachy but a solid, underrated and slightly overlooked hip-hop album.

Actually really enjoyed this and didn't know Michael Franti did anything before Spearhead. Great industrial-meets-jazz beats and socially conscious lyrics. No, his flow isn't the most impressive and leans oldschool with the occasional awkward moment, and its certainly not a subtle album. But doesn't really detract *too* much from proceedings. Unique and interesting, a great hidden gem.

i hate this

I don’t remember so i will give 3 to be in the middle XD

Lyrics seem like can apply to the 2020's!

God is Michael Franti thought the 90s were bad I bet he’s hating 2026. I like that this has a message but it’s a lecture register over a repetitive beat, with some odd cul de sacs on the way.

Mercifully, Apple Music is missing like half of this album. But still, it drags so very long. I think the production is passable, if somewhat dated, but it's a telling sign that the most subtle song on the album is called "Music and Politics." Like I get he had a point to make, but he could at least write some bars or something. This feels more like attending a political rally while someone plays instrumentals under it than an actual album. Favorites: Satanic Reverses, Language of Violence, Music and Politics

Fun! I've never heard of them before, or any of their songs.

Not for me. Poor mans Gil Scott Heron. Found it just not listenable

This was a very, very good album. I'd never heard of them before and thought this was great. The lyrics could have been written for now and would still be relevant. Very close to a 5 star album but I can't see myself going back to it much. A really nice surprise though, great stuff

great messages - but the music itself a bit harsh for me.

Fav: Famous And Dandy (Like Amos ‘N’ Andy) Least Fav: The Winter Of The Long Hot Summer Easiest 5/5 if it didn’t drag in the middle, real shame

Sounds more like an audiobook. Quite annoying

Album 88. Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury — The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992) It's a bad hip hop album and even worse political message. Well, who the fuck is this dude I thought. He's a radical left activist who's shitting words out of his mouth, of course from SF. He is not even a rapper. That’s why he sounds like a teenager who’s trying to rap for the first time. Moreover, his lyrics make him not just a rap teenager, but a dumb rap teenager. Lyrics are shallow, boring and plain. Voice and technique are shit. Beats are decent. This album is about hypocrisy? Sure, it’s hypocritical leftist propaganda disguised as hip-hop, spreading an anti-capitalist message by using capitalist infrastructure. Fuck you dude. Firstly I wanted to rate it as 2 out of 5, ‘cause I’m biased towards rap. But no way I can rate it more than... 1/5 —————————————— No liked songs

Imagine Public Enemy crossed with Gil Scott Heron, and you have the basis of this group. Sadly, the MC here is Michael Franti and his style of hip hop is about as good as his reggae. Which is to say fine but forgettable and utterly unnecessary. I generally love socially conscious hip hop but this album amounts to a recitation of issues in a near monotone over the most generic beats imaginable. I admire the messages but the delivery is seriously lacking. None of the poetry and humor of either GSH or Chuck D, none of the killer beats and production of Terminator X. Basically the window dressing is here but none of the actual goods

I don't think this is really my vibe but it sounds pretty good. I can definitely appreciate the message and the composition but musically it's not my thing. It's a funky beat I can appreciate this. Wait I'm actually getting into this. This is very goated actually. Speak on it. It's both interesting and sad to listen to an album from 30 years ago and still hear the same struggles going on right now. Holy shit this is deep. Favourite: Famous And Dandy Least favourite: none

Good lyrics, which is at odds with most other rap/hip hop music. The music let it down. The sampling wasn’t crisp enough. It sounded like an early rap/hip-hop album sadly.

like if public enemy had sicker beats but worse bars

I get the avant-garde, social commentary reason why it's on this list. But sonically it's just another album in my opinion.

In terms of lyrics and topic, I didn't mind it. Musically, it wasn't really something I enjoyed.

I'm frankly not sure what is going on here and it feels like I am listening to a sermon more than an album, but I can appreciate the vision. Whatever that may be.

Lots to like in this - great beats, socially conscious lyrics, laid-back delivery, but ended up feeling like a TED-talk that went on too long

I had never heard of this artist before this list. Honestly, gave me a lot of different emotions. Technically, it’s a hip hop album, but it felt more like poetry for some of the songs. Sonically, the production was good and the I love some of the beats and liked others. There wasn’t a beat i didn’t enjoy. Lyrically there were some good messages and bars on here. So where does this album fall apart? It’s in the delivery of those messages. When he would talk I was like cool, it’s a little preachy but it’s fine. As soon as he would start rapping, I was like what is this. His flow and delivery sound very outdated and i couldn’t take it serious. He sounds like the tv show trope of young kids saying all old rap sounds a certain way. He is literally the personification of that.

Solid. Satanic Reverses is an anthem for the current times...the more things change, huh.

Man this television song is absolutely right! Anyway, time to go on social media! I wasn’t expecting to love this album as much as I do, it doesn’t even have a 3 star average and the artist has a pretty goofy name, but this album is nearly perfect. Michael Franti’s lyrics are extremely effective, I actually got mad at what he was describing at times. I think that instead of those cheesy anti-bullying PSAs, schools should have students listen to Language of Violence and see if there’s a decrease in bullying. 5/5

This album is historical interesting with an interesting early 90s vibe too - so not just musically interesting, but also politically. Soon you'll notice the similarities to Gil-Scott Heron who was a better texter, spoken-word poet, but also singer, backed by better music. In that respect, I could appreciate this album, but can't rate it higher than average for me.

This is great. Good pace, interesting samples and social commentary that is in many cases as relevant today as 30 years ago.

Favorite Tracks: Satanic Reverses / Television the Drug of the Nation / Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury / Music and Politics Rating: 3.8 Had to do some extra effort to search out tracks 5, 6, 12, 13. Must b sampling issues? Mostly listened on Spotify. I've listened to a good bit of Spearhead, actually, but I had no idea Michael Franti was in an even more politically-charged hip-hop group prior! I'm a fan of old-skool hip hop, and here Franti channels his inner Chuck D. A lot of this sure sounds extra prescient listening here in January 2026 as fascists kill peaceful protestors with impunity in our streets. Production is a bit thin, but musically it's got a great groove with plenty of organic, interesting samples and funky backbone. I can dig it!

Better than expected.

'Exxon and on and on and on'; 'Athletes and entertainers / Have become the minstrels of commercials'; 'Why most people think Central America means Kansas / Socialism means un-American / And Apartheid is a new headache remedy.' There're few hip-hop records THIS political, where every line critiques the system and there's no break from a penetrative analysis of society. It'd be easy to dismiss this record as a dated phenomenon - T.V. is the drug of the nation? - ha, how 'bout brain rot and American fascism? But Michael Franti is too original to be overlooked, a breathing composite of Gil Scott Heron, Chuck D, and George Carlin. And when he sounds too much like the Public Enemy front man, Franti can confide in Rono Tse's industrial refreshments.

No me interesa

Not my style. Music is alright

I had never heard of this group. But I really do like this kind of Bay area, political, socially conscious hip hop. The vocals are very Public Enemy and the lyrics are still very hard hitting and relevant.

I totally understand why it was made and what they were trying to do. I recognize the similarities between today and when this was made and as another reviewer said; "we have learned nothing in 34 years" and that is 1000% true. I would not listen to this again but recognize why it's on this list. This is slam poetry over music there's not really a lot of musicality here IMO. Youtube music is missing 2 songs from the album.

This isn’t bad by any means, but I’m just not that into it (2.5)

This isn't bad. It just isn't my favorite style of music. It is a little too heavy in lyrical style. Like I wish it was more sung than spoke. Liked Songs: "Satanic Reverses" , "Television The Drug Of The Nation" , "Socio-Genetic Experiment"

This instantly reminds me of Public Enemy knock-off, even as far as the main MC vocal goes - he does remind me of Chuck D. Television is the drug of the nation is the track which stood out the most. Good stuff, probably 3 stars, cause I would still prefer Public Enemy for this political hip-hop stuff

I like it when a rapper has a lot to say and that is for sure the case here. Unfortunately that alone does not make a great album. I appreciate the message and overall lyrics on these songs, but unfortunately the rapping leaves something to be desired. I don't think the rapper is the most skilled, he has a pretty deadpan delivery and slow flow which gets a bit grating, especially on the 5+ minutes songs. The production is pretty interesting as it has this minimal, mechanical feel that is pretty rare for hip hop but then again I don't feel like it elevates the album all that much. Despite the review sounding negative I do quite appreciate the album and even enjoy a chunk of it, but it can be tiring as a listen.

Not really my vibe sonically but meaningful and significant lyrically

Not good. Boring and sounds super dated, I don’t see any reason for this to be on the list

Like it 3/5

It's pretty good. Certainly worth listening to once or twice. Public Enemy without the fun/crazy of Flav or the polished poetry of Chuck D. He's a little too on the nose, but I still do appreciate that he's making these songs for people that might not otherwise even think about these things. The music could be better, sure. But, nothing in these songs bothered me. Decent samples and beats throughout. Not life-changing, but nothing that makes me want to quicky skip any either. So, yeah. Worth hearing once or twice. I want to give a 3.6, but until we get a better scale (1-10?) we're stuck having to make choices like... It's getting a 3 from me because it's not something I'll come back to. Yes, worth listening to, but I don't see this getting into any rotations.

Listenable. Rap isn't my thing in general, but going into this with an open mind the lyrics were...interesting The beats were a bit odd, but I found almost nothing here I would come back to, and I was just waiting for this to end 2/5

Minimum amount of music.

He reads his lyrics well. But this is not a writing competition..

Great lyrics, beats left a little to be desired. I also think that the songs got a bit repetitive, but overall I was vibing with it

Can't complain about some socially-conscious 90s rap. I'll need to go and find the songs that aren't available on Spotify at the moment, but I don't think they would impact my rating all that much. This album holds up pretty well and unfortunately the message is still relevant over thirty years later. Could give this a three but I'll round up to a four because I was vibing along the whole time.

Good flow, good beats, good message, good album.

Clear vocals and good lyrics. Artistic though often dissonant sampling. Opening for RATM makes perfect sense

Eh

Hell no

Ehh. I respect it, as hip hop with a message and something to say. Early era hip-hop is just really tough for me to get into, there's something a little corny about it until it really matured, soon after this in the early 90's.

Beats were good but it got really corny. The song Music and Politics is really bad but the production definitely saved this album

industrial hip hop... can't say i'm too familiar with the genre. this is, ultimately some intelligent hip hop music with a really mysterious and dense way of throwing down beats. topical lyrics that sound like a newscaster telling his audience the horrors of the world. for the most part, the abrasive sounds with the spoken word helps with the messages in each track. especially with all the breaks that contain samples from television and old forgotten records. i feel like i'm strapped to a chair while this guy lectures me right to my face. i feel that edge, i feel that frustration, almost like being spat to the face.

i love socially conscious hip hop but the industrial sounds and rhythm aren't for me.

4 - BAD

This was a fun listen. Was not familiar with MF’s militant hip hop side.

One of those albums where you just nod along to everything being said. Nothing ever changes, we're still dealing with the same shit as 30+ years ago and it was all still true 30 years before that.

No thanks

Pretty good. A pleasant surprise. I first heard these folks on a Dead Kennedys tribute album.

Some of this is pretty good, but the main guy is problematic and some of the music is just fine. Eh.

I gotta say, I did not dig it at first, but was loving it by the end.

5/10 Favourite: Satanic Reverses Least Favourite: California Uber Alles

Uma única canção de 4 minutos (Music and Politics) é muito pouco para um disco de mais de 1 hora e 6 minutos.

Говно

The messages behind these lyrics is captivating and sadly hasn't really changed since the early 90s, but the music/beats are so dated it's distracting for me. Feel like other groups of this era were doing the political rap/aggressive messaging thing much better than this

Hideous cover, but finally hip-hop with some statement and without women moaning

Thank you for reminding me to listen to the Dead Kennedys again

Michael Franti raps as a cyberpunk street preacher, decrying the evils of the 90's. If you didn't know better, you might think this was an RATM side project. Lyrically dense, but the backbeats are there to keep you bobbing through it all. This is perfect politically conscious rap. My Rating: 5/5

Better than a lot of hip hop records we’ve listened to thus far, but, certainly, its perspectives seem quaint now, down to the Frasier soundbite on Television, The Drug of a Nation. 2 A poet can’t say something important and have it sound good as well. It’s impossible. America and the world needs the sort of help that can only come one arhythmic non sequitur at a time. It’s fair to say that I don’t have a high regard for rap. With the Disposable Heroes… there is much less bluster than usual about their own preeminent talent in rapping, gunning down other people, and using and abusing women. There are clippings from Chomsky though, which is nearly as bad. 1/5

OK I liked this way more than I expected. I saved "Satanic Reverses" and "Television The Drug Of The Nation"

Getting preached to for about an hour, but 34 years later, he's completely dead on.

Sånn gammal politisk rap jeg ikke synes er bra.

I dug a lot of the lyrics but the beats are SO BAD :(

Absolute fire. I have found a new love. This is exactly why I’m doing this.

Very political and confrontational right off the bat. This is hiphop built entirely around the message and atmosphere. The production and mood is tense, anxious, urgent and dark. Built up upon minimal beats, heavy bass and samples, which get very repetitive. It consists of spoken word delivery rather than traditional rap, so it feels closer to protest poetry than hip hop. Lyrically its profound, very deeply political, angry, and socially conscious. Themes of racism, class struggle, media manipulation, capitalism, and hypocrisy are pushed right to the front. There’s no subtlety, the words are meant to hit hard and make the listeners aware and uncomfortable. The rappers delivery is very intense and direct almost like a preacher which gives off that raw power and sound, and makes it feel very heavy. It’s not an easy or casual listen at all, and it’s definitely not something I’d put on for background music. This is an album that demands attention fully focused on the message of each song. Overall I feel it’s too focused on the lyrics and less on the flow and groove of the song itself. I don’t really enjoy this type of rap unless it has some level of catchiness to it. Instrumentally it’s decent but nothing out of the ordinary for the genre. I can appreciate the message and intent, but musically it doesn’t do much for me. Not something I’d return to for enjoyment but something I can respect for its relevance and impact. My favourite tracks are Language of Violence, Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury, Music And Politics

I liked this, mostly for the lyrics. Many of the themes are very much preavelent today, maybe even more so. The metaphor of TV as methadone is clever, you see this today with social media satiating the masses and numbing us to our realities. Talking about the duhumanisation of victims makes the language of violence mainstream, we've definitely seen this in the massacre of Palestinians in the 2020s where the media manages to justify war crimes in through the words they choose. The erosion of civil rights - after George Floyd this is still very clearly a thing. And these are just my notes from the first few tracks. I suspect most people quite musicians talking about social/political issues, as long as it's vague. "Oh isn't everything bad, we need to love each other". Fuck that - there are bad people in this world and they should be called out for what they are, that's real commentary. Not sure I can go to 5* as it sounds a bit samey over the 1hr + running time. The production is alright but not sure the beats are anything special, and it's kinda funny that every hook is just repeating the title a few times.

A difficult listen in all honesty. I wasn’t keen on any of it at all. No stand out tracks, nothing to get my hooks into at all. I can appreciate that this would have ruffled some feathers lyrically, but it’s just a non entity of an album. I’m going low on a 2, it probably deserves a 3 for its social commentary but hey ho.

Honestly, my first reaction was "why have this on the list when we already have Public Enemy?" And sure, Public Enemy is the more famous and (arguably) better group. Both are angry, politically conscious hip hop. But The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy sound more focused, like they've managed to channel their anger into a call for change. It's much the same as what Chuck D was aiming for, though I feel that he gets a bit more lost in his (understandable) anger. This album has a bit more detachment for its message, which makes it feel a bit less personal but also more impactful and serious. I can't say that one group is better than the other but they complement each other well.

They got the disposable part right…

I think the intent was good here, but unfortunately doesn’t quite deliver. I’m all for social consciousness wrapped up in tasty beats and grooves, but in the end this falls flat. I felt like I was auditing a class on social awareness while being lectured to. It’s as if listeners are being called to attend class at Public Enemy University, only to find out that Professor Chuck D was absent and replaced by a much less qualified substitute teacher in Michael Franti.

Definitely a handful of eyerolls incited here and the genre is not my thing. Nothing wrong with the intent of the message, but feels pretty surface level and not all that revolutionary, which I’m sure was the goal.

When do they do The Humpty Dance? I’m down with “fight the man” music but this felt like being lectured at and not very enjoyable. 1.5 but guess I’ll round up because it did have some good beats and decent rhymes.

Disposable, indeed. Honestly it's just boring.

One of the worst pieces of crap I have ever listened to. Almost every song was veeeery repetitive, just saying the same lines over and over. And there was no flow to the singer’s voice. It was also musically awful. Industrial noise and jazz. Just no. Hated every minute of this.

The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy were a big deal for about five minutes just when I started reading Melody Maker, so I listened to them and moved on with the fickle, never to think of them until this popped up on my phone last night. At this distance, they seem to be Grunge-era spin on Public Enemy and as dated as that sounds. A nostalgic 3.

This is a welcome blast from the past. "Television.." was once as ubiquitous as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in my old haunts and, as one reviewer notes, we appear not to have learned a thing in the past 30 years. Seriously, how would a modern update differ significantly (perhaps adding dumb apps/AI to the mix? Swapping Gavin Newsom for Pete Wilson?) Proper '90s hip hop production rounds off a very enjoyable listen. Triggered good memories of other contemporary artists, with similarly prescient themes (Consolidated, Meat Beat Manifesto), that I spent the rest of the day chasing up.

I like the commentary, something about it just feels.... hokey?

Disposable it is indeed. Tedious, unaffecting, "man shouts at cloud" nonsense. I couldn't care less if the lyrics are forward thinking or socially conscious, the music does literally nothing for me.

Solid. I felt like I did something good for humanity by listening to this. Don't know if it has any tracks worth throwing on a mixtape. Is it good? Yes, but it's not for everyone, more in your face than Public Enemy, but not as good. 3.25 / 5

Not my favourite but interesting

Partly classic 90s hip hop before more complex rhyme patterns were introduced with a heavy dose of social/political criticism splashed in that both rings true today, but also laughably shows the album’s age given the current political climate. This is a good album for anyone who is into Public Enemy, Rage, The Coup, NWA, Mos Def, Talib Kwali, even Deltron 3030. This is a good album for say a vinyl library to give you some cred with the socialist liberals, to say I’m down with the cause, but beyond its virtue signaling value, this record isn’t really getting any spins. Did I enjoy it? Sure. Was there a single song I want to listen to again? Not really.

Loved it when I first heard it, and still appreciate the politics, but it hasn't held up all that well musically. And Michael Franti really went off the deep end.

Pretty interesting stuff. Long-winded by the end. Sounds just like chuck d.

This was probably a groundbreaking conscious hip hop album that was designed to wake us up and expose the evils of government, media, and censorship. Well, it’s clear that the message of this album has fallen on deaf ears. We’re living in a time where society is more fractured than ever. Suicide rates are skyrocketing, substance abuse and addiction are rampant, and homelessness is at an all-time high. Whether it’s class, race, or gender, divisions are deeper than they’ve ever been. Everyone thinks they have the answers, yet fingers are constantly pointed, accusing others of being brainwashed by propaganda. The hatred in our society is so pervasive that we wouldn’t even recognize a real enemy threat because we’re too busy accusing each other of being the true threat to democracy. Despite its good intentions, its time has passed, leaving us in an even worse state with far greater problems.

Liked the beats, the rhythm, the message, little too over the top and repetitive, but good listen

Never had heard this before. I like the concept. It was certainly interesting to hear it in 2025 more than 30 years later and none of the issues in the lyrics seem to have really changed for the better. Between that and Gil Scott Heron I don't know if the cliches of history rhyming give any comfort in the modern time. Also it was very 2025 that when I went to listen on spotify 5 of the songs were greyed out and unplayable. So I went over to youtube and the same 5 songs were missing. My guess is uncleared samples but I didn't have any obvious way of finding out. Now I have to put actual effort into make sure I hear them

I’m so torn with this album. A lot of the social commentary is so relevant even to the present day. He makes you listen to every word, but this also ends up revealing some huge weakness of this album. Almost every song has a chorus that is grating as he repeats the same lines over and over. On one song he half-ass sings them and it comes out as just annoying AF. The other issue here is that the beats on this album feel like a second thought, with oftentimes him not even lining up with his flow to the track it’s supposed to be set to. Due to the problems, he comes off as a second rate Chuck D instead of standing out on his own merits. I feel like this artist would have been great at slam poetry events, because a lot of this album feels like a poet who thought it would be an easy transition to rap. I wanted to like this more than I did sadly. 3.25 / 5

Same sample style production as Public Enemy, but does not have the same insight and wittiness in delivery or the interjections of flavour flav that keep it variable. It's landing some heavy messages in old school style, production is good but not quite to the heights as public enemy again. Sounds dated now

This is some righteous stuff. I admire the boldness required to just drop truth over 6-minute long hip-hop beats. Listening to this sent me reading about Michael Franti because, having never listened to him, I’d lumped him in with the Jack Johnson barefoot good-times scene. Turns out he is (or was at the start of his career at least) a political firebrand. As others have pointed out, it’s a little depressing that this came out nearly 35 years ago and the problems he’s pointing out are still problems, most of them worse than they were in ‘92. Still, it does nothing but increase the relevancy of this work. The rapping is sometimes less skilled, squeezing and stretching his flow in order to make wordy lines fit with the beats. And the album is pretty long. Besides those points, I enjoyed this a lot. Must-listen #256.

I shuddered at the thought of more American hip-hop but I was relieved to hear within the first track that this came from more from intellect than the chaos & vulgarity of the hood. It’s still very relevant today, especially INS Greencard. Not to mention that I’m a fan of Michael Franti’s solo work. It was a good listen, not quite a 4, but a high 3. I would listen again, which is very high praise for this genre.

Not terrible, but it feels like they stole Public Enemy's flow and did it in every worse way possible. It is neat as a time capsule to the time's political issues.

Like a lot of these older hip-hop albums, I appreciate it a lot more than it really does anything for me

I think this is the worst rap album I've listened to so far as part of this project. It felt like I was at a poetry reading or something. Overly pretentious and wordy.

Not an everyday listening album, but amazing that the songs still apply today. Michael franti was a co-producer.

First off, is 'Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury?' I submit that it is not. I really love a jet ski. That seems like a great luxury. This is a long 90s hip hop album that is anti-capitalism (yay) but also repetitive (boo). It sounds like the soundtrack to a dystopian underground warehouse concert scene. As Newman noted, these tracks are too long yet they have a beat. The title track is oddly quick and upbeat. Top tracks: "Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury," "Television the Drug of the Nation," "Everyday Life has become a Health Risk"

this is early 90s hip hop as fuck, frankly. lotta media sampling. lotta lyrics. Almost spoken word shit, not so much rap. Political as fucking hell. Feel like Zohran all about this shit. idk man, it's kinda wack to me. I will happily listen to political hip hop if there's an iota of flow, which here there is not. Eye roll shit tbqh. "The only cola that I support would be a universal Cost Of Living Allowance" like, ok, sure, good point, but if you’re gonna preach at me, then you better have some dynamic flow or be fucking Chuck D. 1 for the art, 3 for the message, that's a 2.

--Satanic Verses...well, this is direct. a little long --Famous and Dandy...this one is nice and bass-ee. needs an editor. no reason to be over six minutes --Television The Drug of the Nation...good lord, sir, you can make this point in under five minutes --Language of Violence...for those idiots that think "woke" is a new phenomenon, this was released in 1992 --The Winter of the Long Hot Summer...the other tracks are long but they seriously groove. This is the longest track and has almost no movement. I was into this album up until now but this one just feels lazy --Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury...finally the groove is back. it's also under four minutes! --Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk...a great bass line and we once again are under five! --INS Greencard...a phone skit with a sick bass line --Socio-Genetic Experiment...kind of a list song --Music and Politics...I guess this is the thesis statement --Financial Leprosy...another good bass groove --California Uber Alles...I like this one but I'm ready to be done --Water Pistol Man...another track that's too long but its vibe differs from earlier tracks. The lyrics aren't quite as direct. I like it

I figured I would hate this album, not liking the look of the cover, and expecting something bad. But then I noticed a green tick against one of the tracks. so I knew I had heard this artist before and liked them. Turns out that I liked everything on this album. It was very good and deserves five stars. Lots of variety, nice delivery, clear lyrics that were slightly chilling when I realised how the subjects being sung about here are probably even worse almost 30 years later.

I really enjoyed this album- jazz/hip hop, reminds me of a hip hop Gil Scott Heron, not heard this before, Public enemy are similar, but I will download this album, really enjoyed it.

I like this version of Michael Franti much more than the roots stuff I'm more familiar with. This comes across to me as a very 90s style of wrap, and I'm here for it. The early 90s was the only period of my life where I listened to rap with any regularity, so I guess it makes sense that I like it. It's also worth mentioning the strong similarities between this and Rage Against the Machine. I first thought this must have been an influence on Rage, but then realized that this and Rage's debut came out the same year. So it's more of a "music of the times" situation.

Well....this album is more timely than ever. It may be more timely than even when it came out. And it's still hard to listen to more than once, possibly because it's the musical equivalent of an edition of The Nation or something. Nonetheless, I've had this on cassette and CD since I bought my first copy in 1992 after hearing their absolutely raging cover of the DK's California Uber Alles on a compilation album from Alternative Tentacles. Frante's righteous anger has a place in my library, even if only for the rare listen.

The music is better than their name, and I realize that is probably damning with faint praise. The instrumental arrangements were pretty interesting with a cool mix of styles, and often funky bass lines. I preferred the moments when you get hooks or actual rapping rather than the sermonizing, but I know that misses the point of what they are doing.

3/5 - Are you telling me we already knew this country was this fucked up in the early 90s, and we just kept driving down the road to doom? Man, we're dumb. If Nostradamus decided to do a solo record in the vocal stylings of Chuck D and used an AI band name generator, he would have made this record. This is some damning earnest shit here. I feel frivolous and shallow by comparison.

I should like this, but I just cannot get into the album. The beats are interesting, and honestly fine, but never really that exciting. The lyrics are meaningful and personal, but just so on the nose that they lose the appeal.

Day684 - i think if i was a teacher i would use this to show how things never change

politics poetry slam with percussion

One of the best lyrics I've ever heard in the whole of rap music.

Cool but I will probably never listen to this again.

Selv et forsøg på ikke at virke for g. G. G. Angst, men mere tænkende, så falder det til jorden for mig. Hvis jeg er uopmærksom bare ét sekund, så flyder alt lyrik sammen til én lyd istedet. Lidt på samme måde som grawl, bare hvor der ikke er meningen.

Jeg kan godt li’ vokalen. Fedt flow og stemmen lyder bare godt. Minder mig lidt om Ice-T. Desværre fanger beats’ne mig ikke og det politiske indhold er så meget over the top at jeg holder op med at lytte efter. Alt i alt er det ikke ret godt, men heller ikke helt skidt nok til en 1er

Politically charged, but not subtle. Way too on the nose. For some reason this album reminds me of Banksy. Go figure

My man had some shit to say!

Potentially super interesting, but a little too literal for me. Very long and the samples, albeit classy, were maybe too "acid" to be that repetitive. Charlie Hunter's presence is a bonus.

Lyrics are so ahead of their time

Idk didn’t fuck with it

Not as great as he thinks

Not public enemy.

I liked the message, but the music didn't really capture me 3

This not my kind of Music

Not my thing!

Meh

Had no idea Michael Franti ever had a rap career. It's like if Furious Styles did rap. I appreciate the message here but not really the music.

My slight annoyance with how on the nose this lyrical delivery is gets trounced by my heartbreak for how many societal problems covered in this project have only gotten worse. "Satanic Reverses" wastes no time digging right into the nitty gritty of all sorts of national and international injustices at the time. Which is crazy because the chorus mentions bailing out banks, which repeated in such horrific fashion in the wake of 2008. Fundamentalists collapsing civil rights in America (if ever that was a real thing). Wow. "Television The Drug Of The Nation", like all songs about tv rotting the brain, can now be replaced by social media and it all still works. The INS Greencard song hits a little too hard for just functioning as an interlude. "Music and Politics" is a wild change of pace but is a much needed look in the mirror, an admittance that true revolution starts from within. Honestly, I take everything he says here even more seriously after he’s added this self-reflective moment into the track listing. And there's a cover of "California Uber Alles" on here?? Beautriful. While occasionally clunky (at times it’s as if they took Serj Tankians info dump parts in SOAD and expanded them into full songs), this project is very effective at getting its message across with super specific lyricism that cuts to the heart of soooo many issues in America and around the world. It’s sad that most all of these societal problems persist, have gotten worse, or have taken a new form in the 21st century. I will be going back to this one often. Unexpected 4/5

I like the lyrics but Jesus this absolutely sucks to listen to lmao. I feel like the whole album is a “socio genetic experiment”

2.9/5 Man I don't know. I want to rate this high because of the messages, but there's just so much undercooked stuff in here. The beats and samples are solid, so is how Franti's voice sounds, pretty striking. However: The mixing could be better cuz the rapper's voice is sometimes too inaudible. Rhymes barely exist in some of the songs and stretch too far out in others. While many of the presented themes carry an important or at least interesting message, it sounds repetitive, especially the choruses. And some of these things mixed together just sound annoying. 'Language of Violence' is probably my fav. I think this album is a good example of bringing the message across was more significant than the overall production & music quality, and that's fucking sad. If everything was solid, it could've easily gotten 4 stars, but I can't get myself to heave it up to the likes of Biggie or Eminem.

Zici ca Satanic Reverses e scris in 2025...

I don't know what level is above conscious rap but this is there. A younger me would have probably loved this, now I just find it depressing that much going on in the country hasn't changed much in 30 years.

I had already heard this album. Wasn't really moved by it.

The social and political commentary on this album is so ahead of its time that most Americans STILL aren't ready to hear it. It's not like other people weren't saying similar things at the time; it's more they talked about the effects, rather than the roots. This guy went to class, took notes, analyzed the material, and extrapolated more significance than the lecturer gave, and threw his thesis into this album. "Music and Politics" was a superb bit of introspection you'd be surprised to hear from anyone today, let alone someone on a hip-hop album from 30 years ago. That took courage. The beats were and samples were on par with the rest of late 80s to early 90s hip-hop; nothing special. The flows were standard and don't stand out as better (but possibly slightly worse). Overall, not a great musical experience nor necessarily a showcase of great talent (though I do appreciate some of Franti's current works from a musical perspective). Ultimately, this gets 4 stars from me for the disturbingly prescient political and social commentary and the bit of introspection I surmise most of us could use to better ourselves. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's like a chill Rage. Decent enough.

Not for me, noisy and chaotic

That was a thing

Sometimes something with a good message can be awful.

I got tired of being preached to after 3 minutes and luckily that was the end of their over the top lyrical messaging telling us how bad everything is. Oh wait

Although this is not a perfect album, I think that its combo of jazz based samples, raps, and spoken word make it distinctive from many others so I gave it four stars. I definitely like the way the music is put together. But I found the lyrics/words very uneven.

Yes, it’s politically charged, intellectually wired, and brimming with righteous fury. But somewhere between the think pieces and the drum machines, the fun left the building. It’s the musical equivalent of being cornered at a party by someone who’s read No Logo twice and wants you to know it

Unfortunately, the recent allegations against Michael Franti cast doubt on his sincerity. We'd all like to believe that the progressive message on this record represents an honest manifesto from an artist not yet corrupted by fame and power. The beats and samples are well-chosen and Franti's delivery is urgent and insistent. The lyrics are mostly solid, only occasionally becoming simplistic. The political aspect is at the forefront, but limits its heavy-handedness. But now we all know what happens when Michael Franti stops thinking about music and politics.

1/5

Some of the album isn't on Spotify. I get the social hip-hop genre, but didn't really think the lyrics or beats were great. 2/5

hated it simply because of the opening

Nicht meins

I'm all for art against injustice, and I enjoyed many of the musical styles they used. But oh my god, there is not even the slightest crumb of subtlety in the lyrics

Not great but good

Didn't think I liked hip hop or rap. However this is good. An uncompromising political stance. What they say is true delivered without resorting to an endless string of obscenities. The message is true but certainly not delivered without any political balance (but balance is not the job of songwriters). Also enjoyed the energy of the music Favourites Television the drug of the nation Language of violence The winter of the long hot summer California user alles 4 star

Maybe this is just outside the range of what I can absorb and comprehend as a listener and as a human being.

Volvemos a éste reto hoy martes, que ayer tuvimos una pausa, en estos últimos días de octubre, con un álbum y artistas que me son extraños por completo, como lo son gran parte de las recomendaciones de hip hop que hace el libro. El álbum tiene sus momentos. Lo siento en parte como un recitado, como una payada criolla por la forma de cantar del cantante (valga la redundancia). Sin más para agregar, me despido.

I don't appreciate hip hop but the lyrics were well thought out.

Cool beats. Lyrics are heavy handed and not always artfully composed, but are nonetheless quite based!

Like a lot of albums from the 90s, it's too long with it clocking in a 66 mins. On the whole, this was pretty decent but I did find the beats to be a bit samesy/boring.

3 because it feels relevant but this is also the 3rd day in a row from the same 2 year period so I am a bit burnt out

Firstly Mr Franti... It's Wayyyyyy better than Spearhead. Hiphop with a message, Public Enemy vibes with some dated beats. Lyrics hit hard tho, not much has changed unfortunately.

I dig this and it holds up, but Franti’s a bit dubious now no?

I think it's a decent hip-hop album. Nice jazzy beats with a bit of funk, good socially-conscious raps.

Definitely holds up after 30 years - still dealing with the same stuff. Not exactly melodic, but good activist music.

Very different feeling raping. Interesting messages and style just not something I’d put on regularly

Michael Franti! I had no idea. Sounds fresh and the social commentary is still on point. Incredible discovery.

Temu Public Enemy.

I like a political Hiphop Album don't get me wrong. While this has some strong elements, i especially liked the jazz samples, it felt like "cheap" Public Enemy idk. I'd rather listen to them then this but overall okay album.

Its beats are its greatest strength, for sure. The samples, ambience and industrial beats are very well-done. Michael Franti's performance is a bit of a mixed bag, with some of his deliveries reminding me of the 'epic movie trailer' voice. Despite how great the instrumentals are, the songwriting isn't engaging enough for an album that's over an hour long. Some songs dragged on and the record loses some of its momentum after the midpoint. If I were to give a rating now, it'd probably be in the mid to high 70s, but a relisten or two could change that. Edit: Just finished a relisten, this grew on me. It's still longer than I would like, but it's not as slow and bloated as I thought. Franti's flow grew on me too, but I'm still not too fond of it.

A bit like a worse public enemy. It didn't resonate with me.

Very activist - very 90s vibe. Definitely holds up against today's world.

I liked the soundscapes and the intensity, but the vocals were a bit samey song to song.

not my usual genre but the song titles go hard as fuck.

Mum I want public enemy… we have public enemy at home. I don’t even like public enemy so this album had no chance.

I've always liked this more than Spearhead. I would have liked to have seen where this could have gone. Maybe nowhere. Maybe somewhere very interesting. But now that I've listened to the whole album in its entirety, it started to sound like I was being talked at, instead of being spoken to

**In-Depth Review: *Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury* by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)** Released in 1992, *Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury* stands as a singular, searing political statement in the history of hip-hop. Fronted by Michael Franti and backed by percussionist Rono Tse, the group fused industrial noise, funk, and spoken word into a confrontational, sample-heavy soundscape. The album is both a time capsule of early-‘90s unrest and a disturbingly prescient mirror of today’s social fractures. --- ### 🎤 **Lyrics & Themes** Franti’s lyrics are unapologetically radical, tackling systemic racism, media manipulation, homophobia, environmental collapse, war profiteering, and the hypocrisy of American exceptionalism. Tracks like: - **“Television, the Drug of the Nation”** decry mass media as a tool of pacification and propaganda. - **“Language of Violence”** is a harrowing narrative of a gay teen murdered by bullies, and one of the earliest rap songs to confront homophobia head-on. - **“The Winter of the Long Hot Summer”** is a poetic, slow-burning indictment of the Gulf War and U.S. imperialism. Franti’s delivery is more spoken word than traditional rap cadence, often resembling Gil Scott-Heron or even Allen Ginsberg in its rhythmic sermonizing. While this makes the album feel more like a political lecture than a party record, it also gives it a unique gravitas. > “Dehumanizing the victim makes things simpler / Something more easy to hate / An inanimate entity / Completely disposable / Easy to obliterate” — *Language of Violence* --- ### 🎧 **Music & Production** Produced with Mark Pistel (of Consolidated), the sound is a chaotic collage of Bomb Squad-style sampling, industrial clangs, jazz guitar (courtesy of a pre-fame Charlie Hunter), and live percussion. Tracks like **“Satanic Reverses”** and **“Famous and Dandy (Like Amos ‘n’ Andy)”** are dense with sirens, brass stabs, and metallic hits, creating a tense, dystopian atmosphere. However, the production sometimes buckles under the weight of its own ambition. A few tracks feel overlong and underdeveloped, with beats that loop past their emotional expiration date. The jazz-fusion detour **“Music and Politics”** is particularly divisive—more coffeehouse poetry than hip-hop . --- ### 🔥 **Influence & Legacy** Though commercially modest, the album was *critically revered*. It placed #19 in *The Village Voice*’s 1992 Pazz & Jop critics poll, and Robert Christgau praised Franti’s “intellectual grasp” and Tse’s “one-man hip-hop band” approach. The group’s fusion of punk, industrial, and hip-hop helped pave the way for: - **Rage Against the Machine** – whose rap-rock activism owes a clear debt. - **El-P** – whose dystopian, noisy production echoes Pistel’s work here. - **Lupe Fiasco** – in his politically dense lyricism. - **Michael Franti’s later work** – including Spearhead, where he softened the sound but kept the message. They also toured with U2 and Public Enemy, bringing their message to massive audiences. --- ### ✅ **Pros** - **Fearless political commentary** – still relevant 30+ years later. - **Innovative production** – industrial hip-hop before it had a name. - **Lyrical depth** – tackles issues most rappers wouldn’t touch in 1992. - **Historical importance** – a missing link between Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine. --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Preachy tone** – Franti’s delivery can feel didactic and humorless. - **Overlong tracks** – many songs exceed 6 minutes without dynamic shifts. - **Inconsistent flow** – between spoken word, rap, and sung choruses, the pacing falters. - **Dated references** – lines about George Bush Sr. or Gulf War-era politics feel frozen in time. --- ### 🧠 Final Verdict *Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury* is not a perfect album, but it is a **vital** one. It sacrifices musical immediacy for moral urgency, and in doing so, it became a cornerstone of conscious hip-hop. It’s not always enjoyable, but it’s always **necessary**—the kind of record you don’t play at a party, but the one you cite in a classroom, a documentary, or a protest. In Franti’s own words, it’s “broccoli rap”—good for you, but not always delicious. Still, in a world still grappling with the same systems of control, violence, and hypocrisy, this album remains **uncomfortably relevant**. --- **Rating: 8.5/10** **Essential Tracks:** - “Satanic Reverses” - “Television, the Drug of the Nation” - “Language of Violence” - “Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury” - “California Über Alles” (Dead Kennedys cover)

I hate how this is still relevant 3 decades later. We’re going backwards.

Mom, can we have Public Enemy? We have Public Enemy at home. At home:

It's not an album I'll be saving any songs from or listening to again, but it did seem to have some pretty profound messaging for the time and feels like an early 90s hip-hop. I could see how this paved the way for other things, I didn't know there was music with this messaging then, feels spot on now

It’s ok.

Some of the lyrics were pretty good, but the music and beats were very repetitive.

Spittin' facts. "Apathetic therapeutic and extremely addictive the methadone metronome pumping out a 150 channels 24 hours a day you can flip through all of them and still there's nothing worth watching". Gorgeous stanza structures. Complete poetry, need to dissect the entire album on Genius.

Има опит за добри текстове, но от музикална гледна точка е дъно - олдскуул бийт върви и някакъв просто говори... не мога да го слушам

Ive said it before and ill say it again I don't like politics in music. Therefore if thats what you're going yo do the music has got to be excellent. This wasn't, but for rap it wasn't completely awful either. Basically, worth a 2

3 stars is huge for me for a hip hop album. They had something to say, and it still felt relevant all these years later. Glad I listened to this once, and the delivery style definitely made me listen!

I really liked this when it came out, probably due to Franti's vocal delivery and its far from run of the mill hip hop. There were some quality rap artists around this time, i have no idea where it all went wrong with the latter crop of crap rap. I actually got to see them live when they were touring this album and they were amazing. There some banging songs on this, especially the first few. 'California Uber Alles'is a cool cover, which endeared me to them straight away, but its not enough for a 5 star job.

I enjoyed this one. Good flow fun to hear the struggles of the early 90s and hear that they aren't far off of the same struggles as now. 4 stars

What a fantastic surprise.

Interesting stuff - political points to a great, kind of hypnotic beat … clearly articulated ( you can actually make out what’s being said!)

Ended better than it started but, no, not but for me this.

Generic af

Well- intentioned (and often unintentionally humorous when heard today) topical rap with sound that is extremely dated and subject matter that remains sadly relevant.

I didn't love this. It felt like they were trying to make a statement with the lyrics and just forgot to make interesting music to go along with it. It wasn't terrible, but none of the beats or rhymes were that innovative

Wow, I generally consider myself pretty well-versed in hip-hop and had no idea this even existed, and was surprised to learn that it's actually Michael Franti! Thought this was really good if perhaps a bit too on-the-nose for our current times even though it was released in 1992. My first thought was Public Enemy, which is probably valid to a point given the subject matter and his Chuck D-like baritone, but he's relentlessly socially conscious in a way that PE never quite was. Satanic Reverses hits hard right out of the gates and the message never really lets up. I like the somewhat non-traditional samples even if the beats themselves are a little more standard for the time. The best song from the album (California Uber Alles) wasn't streaming so I looked it up on Youtube and was not disappointed. Overall really enjoyed and some songs from this will definitely go in the rotation.

Aren't rappers supposed to rap? 'American' is my least favourite genre

What a waste

Very interesting, it’s quite unlike most rap in the sense that it’s entirely a political statement, but I think that’s also what makes it good and unique. The beats are really good, some are jazzy and fast like some of the public enemy stuff, but some are slow more like Nas and New York boom bap stuff. The rapping and lyrics are amazing, I think there’s a few different guys, but they are all great, one of them sounds a lot like Chuck D, but I guess he couldn’t really help it. I suppose in the 90s, while many people had this similar left wing anti corporate viewpoint, quite a lot of the mainstream weren’t willing to say it as outright as this. I like how quite a lot of the songs tell stories and its sort of sad to see how well quite a lot of the topics in these songs have aged. Also love the Dead Kennedys cover. Favourite songs: all but the music and politics one (nothing against the theme, I just don't think the guitar works that well) Overall around 7/10

Good stuff.

This is probably the most derivative album I have ever heard. If I wanted to listen to Public Enemy I would just listen to Public Enemy. These guys don't really add much to the sound and some of the songs really drag on. But overall it is good. High 3.

nah

Hadn't heard of the group before. I liked the blunt message which alas is still spot on today. Probably wouldn't relisten often given it was an album where focus was super geared to the lyrics but I could appreciate what it was doing

Sure, if you're evil.

There are a couple of tracks that are a bit of a saving grace for this album, but most of it is pretty meh and much too long.

Du boom bap engagé un peu weird

Was a bit too long but lots of the tracks felt like they could have been in a THPS/Skate soundtrack, which was cool.

This felt like if we didn’t start the fire, schoolhouse rock and public enemy had a baby. I like political hip hop but it was a bit too much for me and not enough musical chops. I would have preferred to read an essay by him. Some did make me giggle but the rhymes weren’t there imo

Great record. I hadn't listened to it all the way through before. It definitely has a message that resonates with anyone who lived through the time period in question. Relevant right now, of course.

Can’t decide if this influenced Eric B and Rakim or the other way. Anyway was well done.

Decent album

Quality hop hop with a view that challanged the global hedgemony. I used to love this back in the day. Televison has probably dated some, but could easily be replaced with social media. His wordplay is second to none as he takes swing after swing at social injustice and describing geo politics. What is interesting is at the time there was no internet and you had to find this kind of thought in a chomsky or book that wasn't that well understood by myself. Yet there this was.

Just imagine how pissed off these guys must be with the state of things in 2025

Before woke was a thing, these guys held up a mirror to social injustice.

Television The Drug Of The Nation, a must listen, classic! There is a lot to like on this album, but by the end I felt exhausted from political lecturing. I get it, we're still screwed!

Heavy public enemy vibes. Some of the lyrics are prescient, had no idea this was Michael Franti. Fave track "Television the drug of the nation". Not an album I'd crave going back to though.

This was an incredible experience. As far as rap goes, this is something very different. It's almost a spoken word album, but it keeps your attention with incredible concious poetry and jazzy beats. This is one of the best alt hip-hop albums I've ever heard. 5/5

Chicanery music but boring.

Not much fun and due to the spoken word style vocals all sounds quite similar

Incredibly dated and irritating.

Lyrically, this album aged remarkably (and depressingly) well. Musically, I just can’t see myself going back to it very often. Best Track: Satanic Reverses

The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy is not only a fucking mouthful of a name for this side project from Michael Franti, but is is also the name of the artist behind the album I got for my 1001 albums to hear before dying challenge. Today I got this odd project's one and only project, Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury. I am all for Political Hip Hop or some lyrically dense shit, but god damn do the beats and Michael's half-assed rapping/slam poetry voice really not do it at all for me here. This album tries to be more serious than it even takes itself by having some utter goofy beats over some really intense commentary on media as a whole. He just doesn't sell this new side at all and just comes off as very ill-suited for this kind of music. Again I respect everything this album is bringing to the table but this just did not work for me whatsoever and really rubbed me the wrong way in almost everything I tried digging at. I really tried here but man did this just not hold up, I don't even think it even sounds all that great for a 90s Hip Hop album either if I am being honest...

Crap

Truly enjoyed this. I hadn’t heard it before. There were some great songs and a few of them reminded me a bit of the gorillaz. I’d definitely listen again.

This was actually pretty interesting. Very political, maybe a bit heavy handed but still topical. Music was pretty good too.

Never heard of this artist. The album cover looks familiar, unless I am getting it confused with another one that looks similar. The rapper sounds familiar. He may have a similar sound as another rapper I know of. I can see why this album is on this list. I have a feeling very influential.

loved the first song, the rest not so much

Like a worse Public Enemy. Socially conscious music hits soooo much worse when it’s not done effectively

This was great! Sounds like something the teacher would make the class listen to in Dangerous Minds or any movie like that.

It doesn't even feel like large swaths of this is rap... it's more like simple talking over a beat. Good lord, this album is so long.

Did Flight of the Conchords infringe copyright with Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros?

I really couldn't get past the first song...

It hurt my brain trying to parse “Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy”

Dud.

Interesting example of conscious rap, and the message aged unfortunately well. I find the lyrics a bit too on the nose though. Tracks to Track: Satanic Reverses

Not my kind of music but, I appreciate the perspective of the lyrical content. The lyrics are relevant and dynamic and speak to human issues. The music itself underwhelming. I rate it 3.5

Eh it's OK, assured beats, biting rhymes, bit of social commentary, there's not just enough here to command my attention.

Я всегда нахожу это очень забавным, что вот такие, как этот, анти-капитализм/анти-медия/анти-всё альбомы выходят на мейджор лейблах. Но в данном случае это просто пиздануться какая бесконечная шутка, ведь он еще и называется "лицемерие". При всём при этом, дядечка замечен активистом до и после альбома, и как бы читает неплохо. Лучшая песня - Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk.

Interesting and definitely ahead of its time in some ways with a good 90s hip hop flare

the only cola I support is a cost of living allowance (the beats on this are fucking psychotic what is this thing)

This is cool and had no idea it existed. I feel like I'm listening to a video essay with incredible beats underneath.

Liked the message, but the delivery was lackluster. First song was the strongest.

It was great to hear Michael Franti in his element & not just as a guest featuring role. Quintessential socially-conscious hip-hop.

Oh wow, we don't really learn anything at all, do we?

Not my thing

Very interesting and engaging production coupled with Chuck D-type delivery at times. Heavy handed and corny with the delivery of the message, but overall it’s especially poignant and has mostly aged well. Not mad I listened to it. Favorite tracks: Satanic Reverses, Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk Least Favorite Tracks: Water Pistol Man

This was good. There were several songs that weren't in Apple Music, likely due to lyrics around Palestine?

I need less hiphoprisy in my life.

Not really great just another rapper. Dont like his flow althougj he speaks clearly and calmly which can be understood. Tracks are ok some good one with jazz sampling but overall very monotone the whole album. Too much good rap albums in the early 90s to even consider this

A bit like a series of lectures wrapped in beats. The beats themselves are hit or miss. Lyrics sometimes thought provoking, but at other times boring and not always particularly profound in my view. Songs often become repetitive with the theme really getting hammered home line after line and i find they are longer than they need to be. The vocal style, militant poet, just doesnt really do it for me unfortunately. Favourite track - Television The Drug Of The Nation. 6/10

The more I learn about Michael Franti, the cooler he is.

Ik sprak van monniken en beatjes, en raad eens waar de volgende plaat mee begint? Dus meer hiphop en gekke geluidjes, en vooral weer een boel gekwek. Naja, er zit tempo in en de man maakt zich niet al te kwaad, dan zitten we het wel uit hoor. 'Music and politics' is zelfs een in dit genre zeldzaam staaltje zelfreflectie. Jammer dat het album wat langdradig is.

Tijdens het luisteren google ik het album. Grove samenvatting: een maatschappelijk geëngageerde poëtische Public Enemy. Doet het internet die laatste wat mee te kort. Die hebben de muziek toch ook ingezet om een positieve maatschappelijke omslag te bereiken. Het zal er op duiden dat dit wat minder agressief is. Waardoor ik makkelijker bereikt word. Maar aan de andere kant moet je muziek eerst horen voordat het je kan bereiken. En door de stevige opzet had ik Public Enemy al honderden malen gehoord en dit nog nooit. Het is ook wat raar om dit als reden voor de selectie te noemen. Er is voldoende rap in deze categorie. Maar het is de selectie van de 1001 die juist de meer aggressieve rapplaten eruit heeft gepakt. Ik heb al eerder geschreven over het idee dat maatschappelijk geëngageerde rap wel erg snel poezie wordt genoemd. Net als bij Public Enemy zijn de teksten vaak juist vrij letterlijk. Op een woordgrapje hier en daar na. Muzikaal zijn nummers als de titeltrack inderdaad goed te vergelijken met Public Enemy, maar net iets minder krachtig. Er zijn ook hele andere klanken. Zo klinkt de muziek onder Socio-genetic experiment wat als de muziek van Tricky. Maar net iets minder pakkend. De individuele nummers zijn eigelijk altijd wel beter gedaan. Maar als album heeft dit wel een kwaliteit. Elk nummer heeft aandacht gekregen. Opvullers zijn er niet. De stem blijft fijn luisteren en goed te verstaan.