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Take a brief survey, and you’ll find a incredible amount of variety in the genre of hip hop. There’s classic hip hop from the 80s, sample-based hip hop from the 90s, a whole bunch of people trying to mimic the nostalgia of 90s hip hop in the first decade of the 21st century, and then the hip hop I’m more fascinated with– hip hop which breaks from tradition and double (and even triple) dips genres. Young Oakland-based group Los Rakas, transplanted from Panama in their teens, represent the avant-garde of the movement towards blending of genres and sounds to create new and innovative hip hop.
Latin-infused hand drums are played effortlessly alongside heavier turf bass that well-established groups like E-40 and the Cool Kids implement for “knock,” or easy speaker blasting. Then Raka Rich and Raka Dun lay down smooth and syllabic verses in Spanish. I’m not fluent, so I can’t appreciate their high level of lyricism, but my limited knowledge is enough to get the gist. They rap about Oakland and its problems, their Panamanian roots, and what sounds like puppy love in “Hacerta El Amor”– all with a positive outlook and plenty of personality. Bits of English make their way into their flow, which illustrates their position between cultures. The dance-hall culture of Panama and Oakland’s turf dance scene collide in “Soy Raka,” another instance of the cross-pollination of disparate parts of the world.
Los Rakas are holding their own at the intersection between hip hop and World music. Their New EP, Chancletas Camisetas Bordada (which I think refers to a traditional Panamanian sleeveless shirt with borders), just released yesterday, is already topping Itunes chart at #1 for hip hop/reggaeton. They even had Raka Rich’s grandma drop something on a track. I highly suggest you cop it– you’ll be getting some gold while supporting a great local group. Support here.
Girl Like me ft Raka Dun – Los Rakas
Hacerte El Amor Ft Xavier – Los Rakas
M.O.N.E.Y Ft Kaz Kyzah & Fresh Caesar – Los Rakas
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