Rakaa

Last updated
Rakaa
Birth nameRakaa Taylor [1]
Also known asRakaa Iriscience, [2] Iriscience [3]
Born (1972-06-18) June 18, 1972 (age 51)
Origin Los Angeles, California [4]
Genres Alternative hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Years active1998-present
Labels Decon

Rakaa Taylor, better known by his stage names Rakaa, Rakaa Iriscience, and Iriscience, is a rapper from Los Angeles, California. [4] He is a member of Dilated Peoples alongside Evidence and DJ Babu. [5]

Contents

Life and career

His mother was a half Korean adoptee who was born in Korea during the Korean War and came to the United States at an early age. [6]

Rakaa released the solo debut album, Crown of Thorns , on Decon in 2010. [7] It featured vocal contributions from Aloe Blacc, KRS-One, Chali 2na, Evidence, and Fashawn. [8] It was produced by Exile, DJ Babu, Oh No, El-P, and The Alchemist. [9]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Guest appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dilated Peoples</span> American hip hop band

Dilated Peoples is an American Los Angeles-based hip hop trio, composed of rapper and record producer Evidence, rapper Rakaa, and Beat Junkies deejay and record producer DJ Babu. The group better known in the UK, they reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, "This Way" and "Worst Comes to Worst." Their songs were featured in the 2003 video games Need for Speed: Underground and NBA Street Vol. 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Babu</span> Musical artist

Christopher E. Oroc, stage name Melvin Babu, better known as DJ Babu or DJ Babu the Dilated Junkie, is a Filipino-American DJ and record producer. He is a member of DJ crew the Beat Junkies, Los Angeles-based hip hop trio Dilated Peoples together with Evidence and Rakaa Iriscience, and a member of the Likwit Junkies along with rapper Defari. He served as the curator and host of Soundcheck for Beat Junkie Radio on Dash Radio. As of 2017, DJ Babu is the Program Director and a lead instructor alongside fellow crew members Mr. Choc, Melo-D, DJ Rhettmatic, D-Styles and J.Rocc at the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.

<i>The Platform</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Dilated Peoples

The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Audio X in Burbank, D&D Studios in New York, Can Am Studios in Tarzana and Threshold Studios in Santa Monica. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, E-Swift, KutMasta Kurt and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, B-Real, Everlast, and Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and Tha Alkaholiks. The album represents a movement of several California underground hip hop artists away from the violence and misogyny of gangsta rap, towards a more traditional, conscious form of rap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evidence (musician)</span> American rapper and record producer from California

Michael Taylor Perretta, known professionally as Evidence, is an American rapper and record producer from Venice, Los Angeles, California. He is also a member of the group Dilated Peoples, as well as being one-half of Step Brothers with The Alchemist. Before creating music, Perretta was a graffiti artist.

<i>Expansion Team</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Dilated Peoples

Expansion Team is the second studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on October 23, 2001, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and The Dewgarde Crib Of Hits in New York, at SoundProof and Skip Saylor Recording in Los Angeles, at Encore Studios and Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, at Front Page Recorders in Glendale and at The Studio in Philadelphia. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, Da Beatminerz, DJ Premier, Juju and Questlove. It features guest appearances from Black Thought, the Beat Junkies members DJ Rhettmatic, J. Rocc and Melo-D, and the Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony and Tha Alkaholiks, with cameo appearances from Cokni O'Dire, GuRu, Noelle Scaggs and Shae Fiol.

<i>Neighborhood Watch</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Dilated Peoples

Neighborhood Watch is the third studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on April 6, 2004, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York, at Soundproof Recordings, at the Nodd Factor in Houston, at Larrabee West in West Hollywood, at Ameraycan Studios in North Hollywood, and at Record Plant in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, Kanye West, Nucleus, Rob "Reef" Tewlow and DJ AM. It features guest appearances from Defari, Devin the Dude, J. Rocc, Kanye West, Phil Da Agony and Planet Asia.

<i>20/20</i> (Dilated Peoples album) 2006 studio album by Dilated Peoples

20/20 is the fourth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on February 21, 2006, through ABB/Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof East in Los Angeles, at Al Gibbs Mobile Studio, Capelton's Room, at Ameraycan Studios in Burbank and at Daddy's Room in Corona. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Sid Roams and Porse. It features guest appearances from Capleton, Defari, Krondon and Talib Kweli. The album debuted at number 97 on the Billboard 200 and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It also made it to number 56 on the Swiss Hitparade.

<i>Street Music</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Defari

Street Music is the third studio album by American rapper and Likwit Crew member Defari. It was released on August 8, 2006 via ABB Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof, Unsung Studios and Likwit Studio in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Evidence, Mike City, DJ Babu, Superstar Quamallah, Alchemist and E-Swift, with Beni B and Defari serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Dilated Peoples, J-Ro, Boo Kapone, B-Real, Threat and Tuffy.

<i>The Weatherman LP</i> 2007 studio album by Evidence

The Weatherman LP is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and producer Evidence. It was released on March 20, 2007, via ABB Records. Recording sessions too place at Soundproof East in Los Angeles, at Millenia Music, at Chopp Shopp Studios in Durham, at Daddy's Room in Corona, at The Lab, at The River Rock, and at The Hideaway in Minneapolis. Production was handled by The Alchemist, Sid Roams, DJ Babu, Jake One, DJ Khalil, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from the Alchemist, Chace Infinite, Defari, Joe Scudda, Kamilah, Kobe, Madchild, Noelle Scaggs, Phonte, Planet Asia, Rakaa Iriscience, Rapper Big Pooh, Res, Sick Jacken and Slug.

<i>The Layover EP</i> 2008 EP by Evidence

The Layover EP is the first solo extended play by American rapper and record producer Evidence. It was released on November 25, 2008, via Decon. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof East, Chop Shop Studios, The Ether, The Lab NYC, Dirt Class West, Daddy's Crib, Soundproof West, Studio 1, Dirty Science Lab 12. Production was handled by The Alchemist, Khrysis, DJ Babu, Sid Roams, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Blu, Defari, Elzhi, Fashawn, Krondon, Phonte and Will.i.am. The album didn't reach the Billboard 200 chart, however, it peaked at No. 27 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States, and received generally favourable reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decon</span> American hip hop company

Decon is a New York–based advertising agency and record label. Decon is known for their "Green Week" initiative for NBC Universal, which involved an installation at the 30 Rockefeller Center. Additionally, Decon has produced documentary-style profiles featuring Nissan Leaf. They were also involved in launch of the Fiat 500 in New York in the year 2011.

<i>Cats & Dogs</i> (Evidence album) 2011 studio album by Evidence

Cats & Dogs is the second solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Evidence. It was released on September 27, 2011 through Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at ALC Laboratories in Santa Monica, Soundproof West in Venice, The Drug Lab and Soundproof East in Los Angeles, Infamous Studios in Queens, Stophouse Studios in Minneapolis and All This Could Be Yours in San Francisco. Production was handled by the Alchemist, Sid Roams, DJ Premier, Rahki, Charli Brown, Twiz the Beat Pro, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from Aesop Rock, Aloe Blacc, Catero, Krondon, Lil' Fame, Prodigy, Raekwon, Rakaa Iriscience, Ras Kass, Roc Marciano, Slug, Step Brothers and Termanology, with cameos from Amber Strother, Danny Keyz, Noelle Scaggs and Wendy Guerra.

Coalmine Records is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent hip-hop record label. Coalmine's catalog includes Pharaohe Monch, El Da Sensei, Kool G. Rap, Talib Kweli, Large Professor, Heltah Skeltah, Dilated Peoples, Bekay, Big K.R.I.T, Custom Made, Emilio Rojas, Torae, Skyzoo, Termanology, Alchemist, J.R.Rotem, M-Phazes, Illmind, Khrysis, Shuko, Domingo, DJ Kayslay, DJ Revolution, and DJ Babu.

<i>Directors of Photography</i> 2014 studio album by Dilated Peoples

Directors of Photography is the fifth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on August 12, 2014, via Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof in Venice with additional recording at The Drug Lab in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Bravo, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Jake One, Oh No and Twiz the Beat Pro. It features guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Catero, Defari, Gangrene, Krondon, Sick Jacken, Vince Staples, with Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, Fashawn, Rapsody and Vinnie Paz appearing on one of the two bonus tracks.

<i>Crown of Thorns</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Rakaa

Crown of Thorns is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Rakaa, a member of the Dilated Peoples crew. It was released on Decon in 2010. The cover art was painted by Doze Green. The album peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

DJ Rhettmatic is a producer, DJ and member and part creator of Southern California's first turntable band, the Beat Junkies. Rhettmatic began his DJ career in 1983, with Double Platinum, a DJ group based out of Cerritos, CA.

This is a comprehensive discography of Evidence, a Venice, Los Angeles, California-based rapper.

Soundset Music Festival was a hip-hop music festival held yearly in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area over Memorial Day weekend. Since Soundset began in the Metrodome parking lot in 2008, attendance has grown from 12,000 to over 30,000 consistently since 2014. Over 280,000 fans have traveled from fifty U.S states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand to experience Soundset in Minnesota.

<i>Weather or Not</i> 2018 studio album by Evidence

Weather or Not is the third solo studio album by American rapper and producer Evidence. It was released on January 26, 2018 via Rhymesayers Entertainment. Production was handled by the Alchemist, Budgie, DJ Babu, DJ Premier, Nottz, Samiyam, Twiz the Beat Pro, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from Catero, Defari, Jonwayne, Khrysis, Krondon, Mach-Hommy, Rakaa Iriscience, Rapsody, Slug, Styles P and the Alchemist.

<i>The L.J.s</i> 2005 studio album by Likwit Junkies (Defari and DJ Babu)

The L.J.'s is the debut studio album by American Los Angeles-based hip hop duo the Likwit Junkies, composed of rapper Defari of the Likwit Crew and DJ/record producer DJ Babu of Beat Junkies and Dilated Peoples. It was released in March 2005 through ABB Records. Recording sessions took place at Daddy's Room in Corona, California. Production was handled by DJ Babu, with Defari co-produced two of its 18 tracks. It features guest appearances from Dodee Westbeach, Noelle Scaggs, Evidence, Krondon, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and Rakaa Iriscience. The album was supported by four singles: "Keep Doin It" b/w "S.C.A.N.S.", "The Hop" b/w "Dark Ends", "One Day Away" b/w "Strength in Numbers" and "Ghetto" b/w "Brother". The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics.

References

  1. Semaun, Remco (July 21, 2010). "Rakaa - Crown of Thorns". HipHopDX.
  2. Paine, Jake (June 30, 2010). "Rakaa Iriscience: Eye Know". HipHopDX.
  3. "Dilated Peoples Stretch Out". Billboard . Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Udenberg, Brett (June 29, 2010). "Rakaa - Crown Of Thorns". URB. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011.
  5. Bozzer, Mark (August 2010). "Rakaa Iriscience - Crown of Thorns". Exclaim!.
  6. Lee Sanders, David (February 26, 2010). "Interview with Rakaa "Iriscience" Taylor". halfkorean.
  7. Faraone, Chris (July 28, 2010). "Rakaa - Crown of Thorns". The Phoenix.
  8. Martin, Andrew (May 10, 2010). "Album Review: Rakaa Iriscience - Crown of Thorns". Prefix. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011.
  9. Elabbady, Ali (August 7, 2010). "Album Review: Rakaa – Crown of Thorns". Potholes in My Blog.
  10. "Anarchy Reigns (2013 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 6 June 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)