Latino Rebels Exclusive: Panama-via-Oakland’s Los Rakas Special May Day Release “Mi País”

May 1, 2013
11:47 AM

In the midst of a national tour (dates here) with internationally known reggae group SOJA, the Panamanian-born, Oakland-bred duo Los Rakas found time for a special May Day release called “Mi País.” The song is off their upcoming album, the double-disc “El Negrito Dun Dun & Ricardo” which will see release on their label, Soy Raka, this summer.

MTV Hive released the first video off the release, “No Tan Listo” last week, but “Mi País” hits close to home and most appropriately for today’s May Day demonstrations around the world.  We hear Raka Dun expressing his American dreams and struggles while making his way to the studio as he does everyday in Oakland, California: on the train, through the streets, and finally to the studio with Raka Rich to continue striving all while reminiscing about his home country of Panama.

Watch the video:

In a recent interview with MTV Iggy, Raka Rich and Raka Dun talk about their upcoming album: “Dun’s side of the album is like a documentary. It’s a little more personal. The sound of the album is like dancehall reggae with hip-hop, experimental, with a little bit of jazz and soul. My side is called ‘Ricardo’ – it’s more about partying and nightlife. The sound of the CD is like Michael Jackson, ‘90s, uptempo music, feel-good stuff.”

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LOS RAKAS ON TOUR NOW:
Boise, ID – Wed, May 1st – Knitting Factory Concert House –  http://tktwb.tw/15pE0Tn
Salt Lake City, UT – Thurs, May 2nd – The Depot – http://bit.ly/10oFsoo
Fort Collins, CO – Fri, May 3rd – Hodi’s Halfnote – http://bit.ly/Z7Csem
Denver, CO – Sat, May 4th – Ogden Theatre – http://bit.ly/ZairD3
Omaha, NE – Tues, May 7th -The Waiting Room Lounge – http://bit.ly/13n85z8
Minneapolis, MN – Wed, May 8th – First Avenue – http://bit.ly/179lA7Q
Madison, WI – Thurs, May 9th – Capitol Theater – http://bit.ly/XdjBLZ
Chicago, IL – Fri, May 10th – House of Blues Chicago – http://bit.ly/ZEX0FF
Austin, TX – Sat, May 11th – Pachanga Latino Music Festival – http://bit.ly/ZjZF9c
New York, NY – Fri, May 17th – Webster Hall – http://bit.ly/YAL9Jo
Philadelphia, PA – Sat, May 18th – Electric Factory – http://bit.ly/ZyGhrz
Boston, MA – Sun, May 19th – House of Blues – http://bit.ly/WNMFcd
Petaluma, CA w/ Mr. Vegas- Fri, May 31st – Mystic Theatre – http://ticketf.ly/105bjDj
New York City, NY – Wed, July 10th – Summerstage (LAMC) – http://bit.ly/11wfo7P

ABOUT LOS RAKAS:
Los Rakas is comprised of cousins Raka Rich & Raka Dun, pioneering Panamanians by way of the Bay Area on the frontier of a new Latin urban sound. 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, and to become successful despite their circumstances, turning the current Latin hip-hop world on its head. 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. Visit www.losrakas.com.