LOS RAKAS

Los Rakas is comprised of cousins Raka Rich + Raka Dun, pioneering Panamanians by way of the Bay Area on the frontier of new Latin urban music. Known for their fresh mix of hip-hop, plena, reggae and dancehall music with both Spanish and English lyricism, Los Rakas represent the cutting edge of Pan-American flows. Taking their name from the Panamanian word “Rakataka” – a negative slur used to describe someone from the ghetto – Los Rakas have set out to both inspire fellow “rakas” by empowering them to become successful despite their circumstances, turning the current Latino hip-hop world on its head. Prolific peddlers of remixes and mixtapes since 2006, it wasn’t until 2010 that Los Rakas had their breakout year. Along with being the first urban group to win Latin Alternative Music Conference’s (LAMC) Discovery Artist prize, Los Rakas were hand-picked that year to perform alongside Cypress Hill, Erykah Badu, and Manu Chao at Snoop Dogg’s Smoke Out Festival. In the ensuing years, Los Rakas have become a sought after act on the festival circuit with credentials that include SummerStage, X-Fest & Paid Dues in the US, along with Festival Nrmal and Festival Corona Capital internationally. Even before the release of their 2011 debut EP, "Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada," Los Rakas had received high praise from a variety of publications, ranging from Complex Magazine to NPR and National Geographic. With top-notch produced and globally circulated music videos – underground anthems like 2006's 'Mi Barrio' to 2009's 'Abrazame' and 2010's 'Soy Raka' – their 2011 effort ‘Chancletas' was no different. Subsequent videos for the tracks 'Ta Lista' and 'Cueria' received heavy praise and coverage across the blogosphere. Los Rakas’ forthcoming release "Raka Party" will be out in 2013 and showcases the group putting their 'Raka' twist on the electronic and dance music world. The first single is an anthemic and infectious song entitled 'Miss Latina.' "We're proud to say, we executive produced this album which features production longtime collaborator, Freddy Stylez aka Raka Stylo, Jedibeats & Digital Pain" says Raka Rich & Raka Dun. The group worked on a dance-centric single with Diplo and Dutch producer The Flexican called 'Desorden' which is set to see release in 2012 on Mad Decent. They have also been in the studio with Taboo of Black Eyed Peas and E-40. This summer, Los Rakas set out to tour across the country with headlining shows in Austin and Miami. They will also support Spanish rap sensation Mala Rodriguez on her tour in Los Angeles, and New York. In fall 2012, Los Rakas will perform shows with Grammy-Nominated Chilean, Ana Tijoux and depart on a nationwide tour with the Bermudian Reggae artist Collie Buddz in the Fall. Los Rakas make music born of migration and tradition, critique and celebration, joy and pain. They make New World music. American music. Panamanian Jamaican Californian music. Music for b-boys and rude girls, dancers and romancers, mainlanders and islanders and isthmus folk alike, which continues to bubble one "Raka" at a time. RAKA RICH - Born in Northern California, Raka Rich began his international journey early on in life, immediately moving to Panama City, where he lived until he was 12. From childhood, he was drawn to music and seduced by the variations between sound and rhythm. Soon, his own lyrics spawned, sewing the seeds of an emerging new sound. RAKA DUN - One of ten children raised in the barrio of Nuevo Veranillo, Panama, Raka Dun (pronounced Doon and AKA Panama) of Los Rakas, has his sights firmly set on international stardom. More than just a dream, Panama understands the kind of commitment and hard work it takes to succeed. Raka Dun began entertaining at the age of 10, touring his home country with a traditional folkloric dance group.