Today’s video of the day is The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy – "Television, The Drug Of The Nation" released in 1991.
The video for “Television, The Drug Of The Nation” by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy has been officially released in 1991. Directed by Mark Pellington, the full video brings new life to a powerful message first heard in the early 1990s. The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy were an American hip-hop group formed in 1990. The band featured Michael Franti on vocals and production, with Rono Tse on drums and programming. Both artists came from the industrial-punk band The Beatnigs. Their music mixed hip-hop, spoken word, and political commentary.
The song “Television, The Drug Of The Nation” appears on their 1992 debut album Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury. The track became one of the group’s signature songs. Its sharp critique of mass media and consumer culture made a strong impact then—and still resonates today. The album Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury earned praise for its bold themes and unique sound. It tackled racism, social control, and corporate influence. This song fits right into that mission. The video strengthens the message with bold, fast-cut visuals. It brings even more urgency to Franti’s words.
The band only released one more album after their debut. In 1993, they joined with author William S. Burroughs to release Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales. That project mixed beat poetry with ambient and hip-hop production. Unlike their debut, it focused more on storytelling than direct political protest. “Television, The Drug Of The Nation” stands as a bridge between spoken-word traditions and political hip-hop. It reflects the spirit of Gil Scott-Heron, whom Franti has often cited as an influence. With this new video, the message feels just as relevant in 2025.
The Disposable Heroes toured heavily in the early ’90s. They opened for major acts like U2, Rage Against the Machine, and Nirvana. Their first live show took place on August 23, 1991, at the Kennel Club in San Francisco. Guitarist Charlie Hunter also made his debut with them before moving into jazz.
Why stop with The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy’s underground music video? Watch over 4k+ Underground Music videos on YouTube at Stigmata Video Dance Party and have your underground dance party anytime.