The Corporation Thievery Built

Photo courtesy of Andrzej Liguz, More Images

Thievery Corporation is arguably one of the most influential and successful music groups operating in Washington, DC, today. The internationally renowned DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton just completed a marathon series of sold out shows at the 9:30 Club this January—much to the delight of local fans.  Since their more humble beginnings in the mid 1990’s, the two have become a self-sustaining musical powerhouse. Headlining shows in major cities around the world, infusing important global messages into their music and cultivating businesses within their own community and beyond—Garza and Hilton are leading their own musical movement that begins right here at our doorstep.

The DJs frequently use their musical platform to voice opinions on some of the world’s most controversial issues. At times Thievery Corporation’s most vocal criticisms are directed towards those who influence world affairs from within DC itself. Often referred to by the two artists as “Babylon,” DC in part represents the vice and the greed that contributes to the world’s injustices.

In the midst of dramatic events at home and abroad in late 2008, Thievery Corporation released its fifth album—Radio Retaliation—to mixed reviews. The album reflected the current events from a tumultuous year through a series of verbal strikes packaged within a produced symphony of electronic down-tempo beats and synthesized instruments. Radio Retaliation ultimately reinforced Thievery Corporation’s musical production prowess and sound mixing abilities—redefining their style of down-tempo mixes. Perhaps more importantly, the album provided listeners (namely myself) with a fresh political lens through which they could see the world—back when it first debuted, and today, more than a year later.

Radio Retaliation Cover Art

In 2008 the world witnessed financial markets around the world spiral downward as fear of a possible US recession spread; a US intelligence committee concluded that President Bush and his staff had overstated evidence that Saddam Hussein possessed nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; and of course Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America.  It was time to officially “Sound the Alarm.” The first track of Radio Retaliation literally employs a siren with a command to “sound the alarm” and “order the attack.” The war had already begun at home and abroad. Continuing on, the following 13 tracks captured the world’s overwhelming disdain for the political players and false idols of change in power at the time. Sentiments such as, “I’m the president of a shadow government, the grand governor of the Federal Reserve, public enemy of the society, the one you cannot see…” in the song 33 Degree, underscored the fundamental problems within the American political system at the time. One thing was clear—it was time for a change and Radio Retaliation was the soundtrack for that change.

Following President Obama’s State of the Union address this week, the album once again proves its relevancy as an impactful critique on our society and the lengths to which we must go to affect change. Emerging from the modern day “Great Depression;” challenged by international climate control controversies; and witnessing the continuation of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is no wonder there is a “deficit of trust” as noted by President Obama. In the song Vampires, one of Thievery Corporation’s most well rounded and critically acclaimed songs from Radio Retaliation, they warn, “They’ll gain the world, but lose their souls. Don’t believe politicians and thieves, they want our people on their bended knees.” Consider also, having just lost the supermajority in the Senate, the Democratic Party and President Obama are fighting to keep control of Congress. However, more importantly, we are all struggling to move the country forward. It is in this context that we see songs such as the upbeat “El Pueblo Unido”—which loosely translated refers to the Chilean resistance anthem of the 1970’s known as, “the people united will never be defeated”—become a rallying cry once more for a new cause. As the State of the Union address neared its end, President Obama proclaimed “I campaigned on the promise of change; change we can believe in, and right now, I know there are many Americans who aren’t sure if they still believe we can change…” It is clear that a unifying force is needed, and we can only hope that the coming year does not have us replaying this soundtrack, but rather takes us down the “Shining Path” towards the “Sweet Tides” of peace.

While Garza and Hilton are certainly not afraid to voice their beliefs and to hold our world’s leaders accountable for their actions, they are also two of the staunchest advocates and promoters of the entrepreneurial spirit and independent nature synonymous with DC. Embracing this self-starting attitude, Garza and Hilton have reinvested much back into the city in which they reside—starting with their DC studio fondly referred to as the “Thievery Consulate.”  Hilton also is involved with several other trend-setting venues including Eighteenth Street Lounge, Marvin, Gibson, and the new Patty Boom Boom club on U Street.

Take a spin with Thievery Corporation and start your own revolution.