LA COKA NOSTRA RETURNS WITH ‘TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE’
“TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE” FEATURES APPEARANCES FROM VINNIE PAZ & APATHY WITH PRODUCTION FROM DJ LETHAL, STATIK SELEKTAH & MARCO POLO
‘TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE’ IS AVAILABLE NOW
Mass Appeal Premiere
Founded in late 2005, La Coka Nostra (ILL BILL, Slaine, Danny Boy & DJ Lethal) was more of a loose collective of artists connected through Danny Boy than an “actual” group. Having taken time off from rap after the break-up of House of Pain, Danny Boy met Slaine in Boston and the end result of that meeting transpired into Danny brining him out to L.A. to work on some tracks. Eventually, as they continued the creative process, things began to snowball organically and suddenly former members of House of Pain and ILL BILL joined the studio sessions and La Coka Nostra was born.
While “supergroups” are more commonplace in today’s Hip-Hop landscape, when iconic members of House Of Pain and Non Phixion initially merged they were anything but. La Coka Nostra was not only at the forefront of ushering in that movement; they set the standard.
It’s been four-years since La Coka Nostra released their sophomore album, Masters Of The Dark Arts, (the groups first project without Everlast was also their most critically acclaimed project--- featured collaborations with Vinnie Paz, Sean Price & production from DJ Premier and Statik Selektah) and the music industry has changed considerably in that time. However, a few things still remain constant; La Coka Nostra will always be as their aptly-titled 2009 debut verified, A Brand You Can Trust, and the group will continue to dazzle their rapid fan-base with sold out shows around the globe with their raucous live performances.
Always known for tackling controversial topic matter, the group’s new album, To Thine Own Self Be True, finds them once again in torch-bearing mode, addressing subjects that most artists shy away from. "This album was created during a time of unique and individual transformation for each member of the group” ILL Bill stated. “Speaking for myself, it’s been a heavy last couple of years. It's definitely the most personal record we've made under the La Coka banner and we needed to make a record like this right now, not only for the fans, but for ourselves. I got alot off my chest on this one. Making music can be extremely therapeutic and making To Thine Own Self Be True was a rebirth and a re-ignition for me." Slaine had a similar take on the projects therapeutic manifestation “You don't put as many years in the game as we have without having ups and downs. We all have gone through struggle and adversity—personally and professionally” Slaine lamented. “This album was recorded as I walked out of a very dark time toward a place of truth and understanding. This album is a moment in time. It is visceral and real.”
The members of La Coka Nostra have collectively been delivering quality hardcore Hip-Hop music for 25-years now and with To Thine Own Self Be True they return re-invigorated exhibited by a standout new album and a relentless touring schedule (after just wrapping up the Canadian leg, the group is now in route to Europe). “To Thine Own Self Be True; the battle-cry for La Coka Nostra from here on out” Danny Boy lamented. “It’s only onward and upward from here.”
To cap off the release of the new album (which is currently in the top 10 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart), La Coka releases a dark and graphic new visual for “Dark Day Road,” which finds Slaine holed up in a hotel room with enough narcotics to…well, you’ll see. The “Dark Day Road” video was directed by Bernard Rose, who is most famous for directing the cult-classic Candyman, Frankenstein and Immortal Beloved. Before he transitioned to the big screen, Rose started in the music video medium, as he directed the controversial and now banned video for Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax" (it was deemed to "sexually progressive") & UB40’s “Red Red Wine.” Slaine inspired him to return to the short narrative form with “Dark Day Road.”
La Coka Nostra’s To Thine Own Self Be True is now available courtesy of Fat Beats Records.
Checkout the Mass Appeal Premiere: here
Stream La Coka Nostra’s To Thine Own Self Be True: here
Purchase La Coka Nostra’s To Thine Own Self Be True at iTunes: here
Tracklisting and credits for La Coka Nostra’s ‘To Thine Own Self Be True’:
1.) “Dark Day Road” (produced by J57)
2.) “I Need Help” f/ Sick Jacken (produced by Leaf Dog)
3.) “Waging War” f/ Rite Hook (produced by The Arcitype)
4.) “Murdered Tonight” (produced by DJ Lethal)
5.) “Stay True” (produced by Statik Selektah)
6.) “Blind” f/ Q-Unique & Sadie Vada (produced by Marco Polo)
7.) “Crispy Innovators” f/ Vinnie Paz (produced by Vherbal)
8.) “Archie Bunker” f/ Nems (produced by DJ Lethal)
9.) “High Times” ft/ Sick Jacken (produced by Salam Wreck)
10.) “America” f/ Apathy (produced by DJ Lethal)
11.) “Now Or Never” f/ Skam2? & Rite Hook (produced by DJ Lethal)
12.) “To Thine Own Self Be True” f/ Rite Hook (produced by ChumZilla)
La Coka Nostra European Tour Dates:
Nov. 05 – La Coruna, Spain- Sala Pantalan
Nov. 06 – Madrid, Spain- Copernico
Nov. 07 – Oslo, Norway- John Dee
Nov. 08 – Helsinki, Finland- The Circus
Nov. 10 – Stockholm, Sweden- Debaser Strand
Nov. 11 – St. Gallen, Switzerland- KUGL
Nov. 13 – Cologne, Germany- Gebaude 9
Nov. 14 – London, England- The Garage
Nov. 17 – Neuchatel, Switzerland- Chase A Chocs
Nov. 18 – Aarau, Switzerland- Kiff
Nov. 19 - Thessaloniki, Greece- Principal Club