Los Rakas 'Cueria'

Ive been looking to get these guys up here for sometime now. Thinks its gonna have to happen. Soon. They have had singles, edits & remixes out in the past, but ‘Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada’ marks Los Rakas official EP debut. “Cueria” is a tune that appears on the record. Badman business.

Artist statement:

‘Cueria’ is completely fictional, but cinematic reminder of the tensions felt between law enforcement and citizens across the world. ‘Cueria’ was written and conceived by director, NASIR, with Los Rakas making their acting debut.

Shot in Oakland, California, directed by NASIR, with cinematography by Justin Potter, and Nick Crispen as Officer O’Leary, new LOS RAKAS clip ‘CUERIA’ stars Raka Rich & Raka Dun in the role of two cousins on a mission to avenge the killing of their teenage friend.

A news anchor reports on a recent murder: “14 year old Julio Alvarez, known by his friends and family as Lil Ray Ray, was shot dead, in cold blood, not resisting. Outrage. Officer O’Leary has been released on bail.”

The clip cuts to the confused, angry and intent-filled characters driving through the deserted streets of industrial Oakland, planning their next move as Panama’s most celebrated salsa singer, Ruben Blades, foreshadows what is to happen next: ‘Un carro pasa muy despacito por la avenida.’ A car passes by slowly through the avenue…

Blades celebrated salsa narrative, ‘Pedro Navaja’ about a knife-wielding crook (read more about the song here) who meets his match after attacking an armed prostitute, continues to sound in the background as Panamanian patron saint, Cristo Negro de Portobelo, plays witness to the discussion of what to do next with the kidnapped Officer O’Leary, ending in a dark demise and subsequent ‘CUERIA’ (Translation: ‘Take out’).

“He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. Life gives you surprises.” -Ruben Blades (Pedro Navaja)

LYRICS:

ITUNES

Shot in Oakland, CA.

Video Director: NASIR
Twitter: @NASIR__
http://vimeo.com/nasirr

The Destruction of a suit

This is our new pal Horacio from Los Angeles via Mexico City.




We met Horacio at the after party of our show in LA. Around 5 am Darwin, Buffalo, and I decided we were going to make the long journey from Downtown LA to Venice beach with little money and no real knowledge of the bus system. It was an adventure. Horacio was down for the ride. We eventually made it and the prize of relaxing in the beautiful sunshine with waves of the pacific and beer crashing all around us was well worth the journey.



Horacio is also an artist. He embarked on a project called "The Destruction of a Suit" where he wore a suit for 365 days straight without washing it, himself, or cutting his hair, beard, or nails. That's true dedication to your work. He told us that at first he was looking clean, then as the suit deteriorated people's views of him changed. He said by the end it was hard to part with, like it had become part of him.










Nice meeting you in LA Horacio. We kicked it tough and you kept up.

Check out more of Horacio's art here.