Come April 30, the Obamas will once again provide a platform for young people of color. In just a few weeks, the White House will host the first Brioxy White House Summit for Innovators of Color – an event meant to amplify the message of a network “linking thousands of young people of color together to change the opportunity landscape in this country.” Los Rakas will perform at the summit, which will bring together 100 young artists and community leaders of color in the U.S.
For the Panamanian hip-hop duo from Oakland, an invitation to the conference represents a level of recognition not often granted to most under-the-radar artists. For the White House, it continues to expand their reach past the mainstream acts that usually appear at these kinds of events.
Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Buena Vista Social Club, Gloria Estefan, Aventura, and Esperanza Spalding are just some of the few Latino and Latin American performers invited to the White House since 2001. Mostly, the White House’s past guests have amounted to the most popular or well-established artists. To his credit, President Barack Obama has hosted events that probably wouldn’t have existed 8 years ago – i.e. the first poetry slam.
So far, we only know that Los Rakas will perform, but plenty will go on at the Brioxy Summit, including one-on-one coaching sessions and talks. Black Girl Magic, the Black Lives Matter movement, immigration reform, and food justice will also get some attention.
Los Rakas are set to drop a new album soon, and they recently released lead single “Raka Party.” Raka Rich and Raka Dun have come a long way from their viral hit “Abrazame” to where they are now. Not too shabby for the group’s decade-long career.