MEDIA ROOTS – Thievery Corporation, a DC-based music group, released their sixth studio album last year titled Culture of Fear and continue to receive rave reviews among followers of this genre. Its electronic beats are expertly fused with several acoustic sounds which are the hallmark of this recording artist and DJ team.
The black album cover, featuring only a remote surveillance camera, reminds listeners of the current state of diminishing control of personal privacy in modern society. Tracks titled “False Flag Dub,” “Tower Seven,” and “Culture of Fear” invoke a perspective that is not only highly uncommon in the music industry but virtually unexpressed anywhere in general society.
The influence of this group, formed in 1995, cannot be understated. They performed last month at the Fairgrounds in Washington DC for a capacity audience and are appearing next Wednesday in Kansas City before heading to Austin City Limits the following weekend.
We have taken the liberty to feature below the official video of Culture of Fear featuring Mr. Lif as well as the song’s lyrics. Check them out and let us know what you think about this group of music activists.
Oskar Mosco for Media Roots
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The official video of Thievery Corporation’s Culture of Fear featuring Mr. Lif.
Culture of Fear
Seems to me like they want us to be afraid, man.
Or maybe we just like being afraid.
Maybe we just so used to it at this point that it’s just a part of us,
Part of our culture.
Security alert on “orange.”
It’s been on orange since ’01 G.
I mean what’s up man?
Can’t a brother get “yellow” man?
Just for like two months or something?
God damn,
Sick o’ that.
Mic check –
The groove is dead so I’m a rhyme like a lunatic.
I do this shit with an unassuming wit.
The corporation conjured up the bass and the tempo.
My name is Liff – that’s the intro – now let’s go!
The flow of life, throwing strife into the mix,
The big dark condition and the world is sick.
The powers that be
A power in me
To speak a cause
Stress and strife that I see every day
And more to speak upon.
Culture of fear:
It’s up in your ear.
They’re telling us terrorists about to strike
“Maybe tonight?”
Right….
Let me back up slowly
With critical analysis of those who control me.
It used to be we just had a screen in the crib — on the TV,
But now we carry screens when we leave, see?
Laptops, smartphones, now we’re never alone.
A new affliction I call it “media dome.”
But on the road famine is the programming
You want to watch a favorite show because it’s so slamming
Hold hands and let’s gaze into the beautiful glare
While we’re here so immersed in this culture of fear.
Yo – we fear the IRS, fear the INS, fear God.
But we’re more afraid of the credit card than the terror squad.
That’s really all — sending weapons overseas
Yet Mastercard and Visa want to buy me the greed.
They deceive, the enemy is in the fine print.
They assassinate, sell-it, with no single assailant.
Forms, I’m stealing, to give a view of blue sky.
It’s beautiful, then a couple choppers flew by.
Represent an element ahead
A sentiment that you feel on the road, for real,
The deal stars with a spark, concludes with a handshake.
Physical to alter your subliminal landscape
Relief thinking I can really trust that guy
To be honest could have, should have really punched that guy.
Now it’s operation shank a banker
Thank you for the loan
See you when you come to repossess my home.
Alone at night sweating with visions of Armageddon
I never seen the threat yet I feel threatened.
Parts of our society designed to smear
Freedom: don’t succumb to this culture of fear….
Don’t succumb to this culture of fear…
Don’t succumb to this culture of fear.
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Photo provided by cesereperdomo.
