"Though the struggle don't stop, most high maintains / I say peace to the drama" sounds like a sentiment the world -- and the club -- needs to get behind this summer. That lyric from "Peace," off of Bay Area MC Raashan Ahmad's fab new slab The Push (Om Hip-Hop), delivered with Raashan's characteristic smoothness, has been flowing through Guardian office headphones like a steady exhale since the album's release. And we'll most def scuff our Huf sneaks on the dance floor at the official The Push release party July 1 at DNA Lounge (www.dnalounge.com) with the Mighty Underdogs, Lyrics Born, and more.

Raashan made his mark as the resident MC of revered Bay collective Crown City Rockers, who set B-Boy beats above diamond drips, positivity over play. Stepping out on his own for his first solo album (and in the midst of a nationwide tour), he hasn't strayed far from his roots, although his thoughtful introspection goes in some fascinating directions -- the party's never far behind, but you may find yourself jumping to his message as much as his mix. Hear him at www.myspace.com/raashanahmad.

SFBG So what's it like to be out solo?

RAASHAN Different! It's such a different monster to stand on stage without my Crown City Rockers fam. It's nice to keep my MC skills sharp, though, and make sure I can move the crowd with just me and a mic.

SFBG There seems to be a movement right now in hip-hop to celebrate the '80s stripped-down sound -- Cool Kids, new Neptunes, etc. You've said of The Push that you wanted to get in touch with your "Run DMC, BDP, and 808 machine" side ...

RAASHAN Yeah, I wanted to explore all sides of me on this record. I feel like a lot of music is broken up into categories like conscious or indie or street or whatever, when in all actuality lots of people live all those things. I love being in a band and I love rockin' over a programmed kick and a snare. So on this album I have joints with live instruments and straight loops but more produced joints because I need that in my life too.

SFBG You've also said that making The Push was "therapy over beats."

RAASHAN The album actually started after my mom had passed and I realized how much writing things out really helped, so I continued. Also, I didn't have my regular bandmates to bounce ideas off, I had to make the final decisions myself.

SFBG On the track "Yusef" -- are those really samples of your son being born?

RAASHAN Yes. A lot of people are kinda weirded out by it, but that's really for him. I love that. I get tears of joy whenever I hear it.

PHOTO: Alexander Warnow (www.alexanderwarnow.com)
CONCEPT: Mirissa Neff
INTERVIEW: Marke B.
LOCATION: Madrone Lounge (www.madronelounge.com)