Los Rakas know how to shake things up in hip-hop with their Panamanian twist. Yes, their sound includes the typical heavy bass, but their music is slightly different, and sometimes a little unexpected, especially with their hints of folk and Latin beats. The Panamanian-American cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun have been taking the Bay Area for a ride with their constant rhymes since 2006. The duo is the first urban group to win the Latin Alternative Music Conference’s Discovery Artist award. They have also performed alongside Outkast, Nas, Damien Marley and Ice Cub among many others.
Ready to keep rolling just after their first official EP, Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada, was released last August, Los Rakas show a different side and prove they can rhyme just as well in English as they can in Spanish with their recently released single “Pimpin’ Smokin’ Dro” featuring rapper E-40. The song will be included in their mix tape Panabay Twist 3 due later this year. It will feature collaborations with other Bay Area hip-hop artists. Look for them in Austin during the week of South by Southwest.
Listen to “Pimpin’ Smokin’ Dro” and download from the bandcamp player below: