If any of you caught the Dilated Peoples “The Release Party” DVD, you may remember that Rakaa is well versed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or as Xzibit said “knows some karate”. Check out Rakaa’s interview with OkayPlayer TV as he comes to us straight from the Gracie Jiu Jitsu School. Crown Of Thorns is out in stores for all to cop. Highly recommended.

Dilated’s Rakaa made his solo debut this week on Decon Records with Crown Of Thorns. The label is still offering the deluxe pre-order packages including an autographed CD, t-shirt, sticker, poster, and an immediate MP3 download of “Aces High”. Check out DeconRecords.Com for more info.

Official video for “Delilah” from Rakaa’s upcoming solo debut album, Crown Of Thorns available everywhere on 7/20 via Decon. “Delilah” was produced by Evidence, video directed by Yoram Benz.

El delivers the first single from his second LP with Polish production team The Returners, GP2: Nu World, due June 6th on Asfalt Records. Unfortunately, this is only available overseas, but the album will include additional collaborations with Treach (Naughty By Nature), Sean Price (Heltah Skeltah / Boot Camp Click), Doujah Raze, Rakka Iriscience (Dilated Peoples), John Robinson (Science of Life), Reks, Akrobatik (The Perceptionists) and Tiye Phoenix. In other news “Rakaa” translates to “Cancer” in Polish, according to Google Translate.

Brand new album artwork for Rakaa’s long awaited debut solo album, Crown of Thorns, dropping on 7/20. Cover art is an original painting by Doze Green called “Lord Enlil”. Crown of Thorns features production by The Alchemist, !llmind, DJ Babu, Sid Roams & El-P. Guest apprearances by Aloe Blacc, Fashawn, KRS-One, Dilated Peoples & more. Rapid fire’s how he transmits.

TRACKLIST:

1. “Crown Of Thorns” feat. Aloe Blacc, prod. by: Sid Roams
2. “The Observatory” feat. MAD LION, prod. by: King Jahzzy for Keepers Of The Light
3. “Delilah” prod. by: Evidence
4. “Human Nature (Now Breathe)” feat. The Teacha’ KRS ONE, prod. by: Exile for Dirty Science
5. “C.T.D.” prod. by: DJ Babu
6. “Assault & Battery” prod. by: Oh No for Disrupt Productions
7. “Ambassador Slang” feat. Tasha (aka Yoon Mi Rae), Tiger JK (Drunken Tiger), Roscoe Umali, BIGRYZN (CHIEFSONS), MOSHPIT (CHIEFSONS), Dumbfoundead, Tassho Pearce, Tablo (Epik High), Mithra Jin (Epik High), Jay Jaballas, King Kapisi, prod. by: dj honda
8. “Eyes Wide” feat Krondon, prod. by: DJ Babu
9. “Mezcal” prod. by: !llmind for Little Trouble Big China Productions
10. “Rosetta Stone Grove (Universal Language)” feat. Noelle Scaggs, prod. by: Eric Bobo & DJ Rhettmatic for Cypress Junkie Productions
11. “Aces High” feat. Fashawn, Evidence, Defari, prod. by: The Alchemist
12. “Mean Streak” feat. Chali 2na, prod. by: El-P
13. “Upstairs” prod. by: The Alchemist

Rakaa’s tweeted today about the status of his solo album release Crown Of Thorns. No further details in regards to an official release date. In the meantime check out his live performance of “C.T.D.” in Amsterdam and of course “Delilah” .

Rakaa gives us another glimpse of the Crown Of Thorns LP, this time with “Connect The Dots”, as heard on Babu’s UStream performance this past week. Props for the first person to call that sample…

Rakaa-Iriscience – “Connect The Dots (Radio Rip)” (MP3)