Back in the late 80s, industrial hip-hop outfit The Beatnigs recorded the seminal track ‘Television: The Drug of a Nation’. When the Beatnigs folded, Michael Franti & Rono Tse went on to become The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, re-recorded the track and had a massive hit. Their album, ‘Hipocrisy is The Greatest Luxury’ was my gateway to hip-hop. Well, more of a serving hatch really – I went through a period of buying one hip-hop album a year until Puff Daddy single-handedly ruined the whole genre by sampling The Police. ‘Hipocrisy…’ was influential without being much of a hit, but a lot of its political message still holds true today.
The Disposables made an album with William S. Burroughs, one last single with Charlie Hunter, now a known jazz guitarist, and then folded. Rono Tse has faded from sight, while Franti formed Spearhead.
Spearhead continued the politics, but with a more commercial sound. The first two albums are excellent, while the third is a concept album that bombed throughout the northern hemisphere.
In 2002 Spearhead were touring the concept album ‘Stay Human’ but Franti was already working on the follow-up, the under-rated ‘Everyone Deserves Music’.
I’d intended to see The Disposables at Phoenix Festival in the 90s, but my camping gear was stolen at Glastonbury, so I didn’t go. Now back at the safer 21st Century Glastonbury, I had a chance to watch Spearhead. Having never experienced live hip-hop, a festival gave a great opportunity - if we hated it we could always duck off elsewhere.
It was a daylight set on the Jazz World stage – well attended. Michael Franti is a tall guy – well over 6 feet tall and full of energy. He seemed to spend the entire set bouncing up and down like a loon. I have a bootleg of the gig somewhere. It was a small band, with Radioactive – a human beat-box, rather than a turntablist (I think).
The set was cheerful energetic and quickly had the entire crowd bouncing around as well. Even Janet enjoyed it, which was a surprise to both of us – the power of truly great live music is that you don’t need to be fan to enjoy it.
There was nothing from the ‘Disposable’ days beyond a brief quote of ‘Televsion…’ near the beginning. This was a disappointment in an otherwise brilliant set. Covering the best of the Spearhead albums and the new song quoted on this t-shirt. ‘Bomb The World’ is a simple song with a simple (and controversial in 2002) message. I guess nowadays it would be ‘Drone (at) The World’ which doesn’t have the same ring to it.
We sang and danced in the sun and all was right with the world.
Videos
Ripped off the interweb as usual.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Bomb The World
I was looking for the remix, but couldn't find a version that played
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Rock The Nation
2002 festival performance
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy - Television: The Drug of a Nation
Offical video; a bit naff
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I actually have a track by Spearhead! Bomb the world is more of a ballad, with a message. I can't say I'm into hip hop, but I hear some things that I like. Too much of it just sounds like shouting over samples to me, but some of the wordplay is clever.
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I like the political acts, and some UK rappers. Asian Dub Foundation are particularly good, but sporadic in output.
Plan B's first album, where he played acoustic guitar as a background for rap has some very disturbing songs.
But I too prefer a melody.
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I have heard Franti on the radio. Seems like a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is.
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Indeed he his. Was known at one point to not wear shoes or socks.
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