Los Rakas are a bilingual hip-hop duo from Oakland, California. The group consists of Panamanian cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun, and their music is a mix of Panamanian and Caribbean music such as salsa, reggae, dancehall, and merengue, with hip-hop, R&B, and soul sprinkled on top. We spoke briefly with them in anticipation tonight's show at Fitzgerald's.

30 seconds with.... Los Rakas!

Rocks Off: What is the best song in the world?

Los Rakas: "Everything's Going Be Alright" by Bob Marley. No matter what's going on, we hear that song and it makes us feel better. It brings a sense of hope.

RO: Someone throws a beer bottle at you onstage. What do you do?

LR: Oh man, it depends which mood we're in, to be honest, LOL!

RO: Without worrying about space, time, or the laws of physics, what would be the ultimate gig to play, and why?

LR: A show in Panama with Bob Marley, Celia Cruz and Buju Banton!

RO: What would you buy with a million dollars?

LR: We would buy a couple of buildings and have a different things going on each floor, like a youth center and school for the kids, recording studios, and a program to help people find jobs. Possibly both in Oakland and in Panama. That's one of our goals. Soy Raka University!

RO: What would you buy with your last dollar?

LR: Water.

RO: If you could canonize another musician, who would it be, and of what would they be the patron saint?

LR: Celia Cruz! The patron saint of Afro-Latino global soul y azucar!

RO: What will be written on the plaque beneath the giant statue future generations erect in your honor?

LR: "Just two rakas from Panama & Oakland that did it their way! A Raka is a rebel!"

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