Artist Thievery Corporation

For 15 years, D.C. DJ duo Thievery Corporation has cranked out a cool and collected blend of downtempo lounge kissed by Afrobeat, airy jazz, dub reggae, and bossa nova. Rob Garza and Eric Hilton perfected it on 2000's The Mirror Conspiracy, which established the pair's formula so concretely that it's been used as the mold for the four albums that followed in the next decade. The duo's latest, 2008's Radio Retaliation, might sound similar to its predecessors, but although the backdrop is relaxed as ever, the lyrics seethe with political posturing. Not that Thievery Corporation's inoffensive music is raucous enough to catch the attention of the movers and shakers in its hometown; more than likely, its suit-wearing enemies would just slow down and bop their heads to the soothing beats. 

Updated 06/15/2010