Words by Nico Simino
As part of their debut EP Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada, Bay area duo, by way of Panama, Los Rakas, have released a second mini-film clip titled ‘Cueria’. The short clip takes on the recent police mishaps over the last few years in Oakland, where the police department has used some pretty heavy handed tactics in responding to potential threats, killing one unarmed man in the subway system and the recent backlash against #OccupyOakland protesters. “Cueria,” which literally translates to, “take them (or it) out,” is pretty graphic but resonates nonetheless. Just as powerful, the rhythm track–an Afro-latin war dance produced by Chief Boima and Oro11 AKA Banana Clipz perfectly suits the Rakas’ blend of dancehall, hiphop, reggaeton, and hyphy.