Latest from Rakalandia: #RakaHalloween Winner! Congrats to Pancho Mazariegos from Sacramento for winning the #RakaHalloween Pumpkin Carving contest. He wins 2 VIP tickets to Los Rakas’ show at Slims in San Francisco on 1/12/13 as well as an Autographed CD and Raka T-shirt! Big up to all the Rakas who entered the contest! – Raka … Read More

Los Rakas appeared in SPIN MAGAZINE last week online. Did you read the interview?  I thought it was really on point and also a great breakthrough for the guys in the American hip-hop press which, take it from me, has been a hard nut to crack.  “But it’s in Spanish?” “But my editors don’t understand … Read More

Read this piece in the LA Times, “Brazil’s hip-hop scene takes the country by storm” featuring Emicida and 2012 Summerstage (my Spring/Summer dream day gig) BrasilSummerfest alum, Criolo.  Love this quote from him: “I believe that in every corner of the world there are people living rap and seeing it with different eyes.  If I … Read More

Oct 12 – A3C Hip-Hop Festival – Atlanta, GA | (Los Rakas-solo) Oct 14 – Corona Capital Fest – Mexico City (Los Rakas-solo) Oct 18 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR Oct 19 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA Oct 20 – City Arts Fest – Seattle, WA (Los Rakas show) Oct 22 – WOW … Read More

It’s not easy working with a band that’s overtly political. (Pssssssst: all music is political; even if your choice is to be non-political in this landscape, IT’S POLITICAL, FOO!) I’m constantly thinking about this topic and for years. Have you read the recent piece in Salon, “Protest Songs Are Pointless“?  I see what the author … Read More

Spik Records out of San Juan has a reputation of releasing some of Puerto Rico’s most exciting sounds, starting with 2011’s “El Pozo” from hometown indie siren, Mima.  Next up for the label is the DJ Nature-produced reggae artist, Young Ragga.  Largeup.com picked up on the release and had this to say: Young Ragga, a … Read More

Free Download: New Collie Buddz Song “Ganja Pipe” Collie Buddz is back with free download for the single “Ganja Pipe” – a hard hitting dancehall dedication to that “high grade” behind his ‘Dark N’ Stormy‘ tour announcement which came last week, announcing nationwide tour dates with tour mates New Kingston and Los Rakas! Get the song, … Read More

  Outernational don’t fake it, and they never have. I’m not talking about any bullshit pedestrian claims of being “legit” or “real” that waaaay to many bands are fixated on; I mean in an uncompromising, straightforward this-is-what-we’re-fighting-for sense where they’re not going to water their beliefs down to cater to anyone, and, like I said, … Read More

THE RAKA MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO GROW LOS RAKAS SHAPE A NEW SOUND Read ‘Austin American Statesman’ Interview Debut New Song “Hablemos De Amor” & A New Video “Bien Ribetiao” Duo Take Break From Studio With Diplo, E-40 & Taboo (Black Eyed Peas) And From Recording Upcoming ‘Raka Party’ LOS RAKAS ON CNN EN ESPANOL (WATCH) … Read More