La Coka Nostra
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La Coka Nostra (short LCN) is an American hip hop group composed of
DJ Lethal Leor Dimant ( lv, Leors Dimants, russian: Леор Григорьевич Димант, ; born December 18, 1972), better known as DJ Lethal, is a Latvian-American turntablist and producer and is best known as a member of the groups House of Pai ...
, Danny Boy,
Ill Bill William Braunstein (born July 14, 1972), known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diver ...
and Slaine.


Biography

Founded in late 2004 with no intention to record an album, La Coka Nostra was more a loose collective of artists connected through Danny Boy than a group. Having taken time off from rap after the break-up of
House of Pain House of Pain was an American hip-hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast. The group's name is a reference to the H. G. Wells novel '' The Island of Dr. Moreau'', a refer ...
, Danny Boy took to working in video production and fashion as well as mentoring other artists. He met Slaine in Boston and, impressed with his writing, brought him to L.A. to record some tracks. Eventually it turned into more of a group effort including the former members of House of Pain and
Ill Bill William Braunstein (born July 14, 1972), known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diver ...
, as well as associates from
Psycho Realm The Psycho Realm is an American hip hop group started in 1989 by brothers Sick Jacken (Joaquín Gonzalez) and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez) from the Downtown, Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. History The first recorded Psycho Realm song, "Scand ...
,
Special Teamz Special Teamz is an American hip hop group made of Boston rappers Edo G (formerly of Da Bulldogs), Jaysaun (formerly of the Kreators) and Slaine (of La Coka Nostra). All three members are of different racial backgrounds: Edo G is African-Ameri ...
and others.HHDX Interview
HipHopDX Interview with Danny Boy
It was not until early 2006 that an actual line up solidified. Plans to release an album were first voiced later the same year.Urb Magazine Interview
, Urb Magazine Interview with Everlast.
In late 2008, the group signed to
Suburban Noize Records Suburban Noize Records, also known as "Subnoize", is an independent record label based in Burbank, California that specializes in punk rock and hip hop music. The label was founded in 1997 by the Kottonmouth Kings' vocalist Daddy X and Kevin Zi ...
and released the long delayed debut album '' A Brand You Can Trust'' on July 14, 2009. The album took so long to complete due to Danny Boy's refusal to have the members collaborate via e-mail; instead, he would gather everyone at the studio. This took time due to the recording of Ill Bill and Everlast's solo albums as well as various tours and other commitments. ''A Brand You Can Trust'' features fifteen tracks and guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Bun B,
Sick Jacken The Psycho Realm is an American hip hop group started in 1989 by brothers Sick Jacken (Joaquín Gonzalez) and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez) from the Downtown, Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. History The first recorded Psycho Realm song, "Scan ...
, B-Real,
Sen Dog Senen Reyes (born November 22, 1965), also known by his stage name Sen Dog, is a Cuban-American rapper and musician who is best known as a member of the rap group Cypress Hill and as the lead vocalist for the heavy metal band Powerflo. He has ...
,
Immortal Technique Felipe Andres Coronel (born February 19, 1978), better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics, from a radical left-wing perspective. Immortal Techn ...
, Big Left and
Q-Unique Anthony Quiles (born June 27, 1972), better known by his stage name Q-Unique, is an American rapper, record producer and a member of rap group Arsonists and the hard rock band StillWell. He also contributed vocals for dance/hip-hop group C+C Mu ...
. Though similar stylistically to the group's prior online releases, it features songs grounded more in reality. Subjects touched upon include politics, death, drug addiction, raising a child and terrorism. ''
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
'' gave four out of five stars. Andrew Kameka of ''
HipHopDX ''HipHopDX'' is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the Head Of Content is Jerry L. Barrow. ''HipHopDX'' is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group. ...
'' wrote that "the album is a mostly solid effort and exactly what someone would expect from a supergroup of like-minded members known for high-energy music". Adam Kennedy of the ''BBC'' while praising some the moments of the album said "it’s a tantalising parting taste of potential capabilities, yet until they improve a customer satisfaction hit rate that barely troubles one in three tunes here". Steve Juon of ''RapReviews'' gave it a seven out of ten. '' Sputnikmusic'' described it as "a disjointed effort, but still pretty decent in and of itself and gave it three point five out of five. Thomas Quinlan of '' Exclaim!'' said "La Coka Nostra are an interesting collection of collaborators that live up to the hype". On March 2, 2012, it was announced that Everlast would be leaving La Coka Nostra due to his daughter's medical issues. That same year, La Coka Nostra released their second album, ''
Masters of the Dark Arts Masters of the Dark Arts is the second studio album by La Coka Nostra released on July 31, 2012. The album features guests including Vinnie Paz, Sean Price, Thirstin Howl III, Sick Jacken and Big Left. Track listing Reception Adam Fleischer ...
''. It reached 176 on ''Billboard'' Top Current Albums, 40 on Independent Albums, and 31 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Adam Fleischer of '' XXL'' magazine noted that "La Coka Nostra remain decidedly true to their core with their new album" and "that they are indeed masters of the dark arts". ''HipHopDX'' gave the album a positive review and noted that the album was a "sinister, happily violent detour from the pop-centric". Peter Marrack of ''Exclaim!'' also gave the album a positive review and noted that the album was "more or less a one-way ticket to hell". Nathan G. O'Brien of ''Scene Point Blank'' gave it four out five star and said "with Master of the Dark Arts La Coka Nostra’s pluperfect union of bombastic boom-bap, record scratching, and realism-based hardcore rhyming". In 2016, La Coka Nostra released ''
To Thine Own Self Be True ''To Thine Own Self Be True'' is the third studio album by La Coka Nostra released on November 4, 2016, via Fat Beats Records. Background In 2012, La Coka Nostra released their second album, ''Masters of the Dark Arts''. It was the group's first ...
''. The album reached 38 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Steve Juon of ''RapReviews'' gave eight point five out of ten and wrote "for a blissful 45 minutes it's an uncut dose of that nostalgia straight through the ear canals to the dopamine centers of my brain".


Members

*
Ill Bill William Braunstein (born July 14, 1972), known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diver ...
( Non Phixion MC; current Heavy Metal Kings member) (2006-present) * Slaine (current
Special Teamz Special Teamz is an American hip hop group made of Boston rappers Edo G (formerly of Da Bulldogs), Jaysaun (formerly of the Kreators) and Slaine (of La Coka Nostra). All three members are of different racial backgrounds: Edo G is African-Ameri ...
MC) (2006-present) *
DJ Lethal Leor Dimant ( lv, Leors Dimants, russian: Леор Григорьевич Димант, ; born December 18, 1972), better known as DJ Lethal, is a Latvian-American turntablist and producer and is best known as a member of the groups House of Pai ...
(
House of Pain House of Pain was an American hip-hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast. The group's name is a reference to the H. G. Wells novel '' The Island of Dr. Moreau'', a refer ...
, Limp Bizkit) (2006-present) * Danny Boy (House of Pain hype man) (2006-present) ;Past members *
Everlast Erik Francis Schrody (born August 18, 1969), known by his stage name Everlast, is an American musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter, who was the frontman for hip hop group House of Pain. He was also part of the hip hop supergroup La Coka ...
(House of Pain) (2006-2012) * Big Left (2006-2007)


Discography


Albums

*2009: '' A Brand You Can Trust'' *2012: ''
Masters of the Dark Arts Masters of the Dark Arts is the second studio album by La Coka Nostra released on July 31, 2012. The album features guests including Vinnie Paz, Sean Price, Thirstin Howl III, Sick Jacken and Big Left. Track listing Reception Adam Fleischer ...
'' *2016: ''
To Thine Own Self Be True ''To Thine Own Self Be True'' is the third studio album by La Coka Nostra released on November 4, 2016, via Fat Beats Records. Background In 2012, La Coka Nostra released their second album, ''Masters of the Dark Arts''. It was the group's first ...
'' * *


Mixtapes and EPs

*2009: ''100% Pure Coka'' (digital EP) *2009: ''The Height of Power'' *2009: ''The Audacity of Coke'' *2012: ''The Maple Leaf Massacre''


Appearances on other albums

*2006: "Fuck
Tony Montana Antonio Montana is a fictional character and the protagonist of the 1983 film ''Scarface''. This character is portrayed by Al Pacino in the film and is voiced by André Sogliuzzo in the 2006 video game '' Scarface: The World Is Yours''. Embod ...
" ( D.J. Mek Remix) featuring Big Left *2006: "Get Outta My Way" ( D.J. Mek Remix) featuring B-Real of Cypress Hill &
Sick Jacken The Psycho Realm is an American hip hop group started in 1989 by brothers Sick Jacken (Joaquín Gonzalez) and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez) from the Downtown, Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. History The first recorded Psycho Realm song, "Scan ...
of
Psycho Realm The Psycho Realm is an American hip hop group started in 1989 by brothers Sick Jacken (Joaquín Gonzalez) and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez) from the Downtown, Pico-Union area of Los Angeles. History The first recorded Psycho Realm song, "Scand ...
*2006: "This Is War" featuring Big Left '' Ill Bill Is The Future Vol. 2'' *2006: "It's a Beautiful Thing" '' Ill Bill Is The Future Vol. 2'' *2007: "Where Hope Goes to Die" ''
Black Metal Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, a shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw (lo-fi) recording, unconventional song structures, and an emp ...
'' *2007: "Soldiers of Fortune" (produced by
Sicknature Sicknature is an independent Rapping, rapper and hip-hop producer from the southern part of Copenhagen, Denmark. He began his career making music and recording with his childhood friend Jesta in the mid 1990s. Sicknature is also a producer in th ...
) ''
Black Metal Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, a shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw (lo-fi) recording, unconventional song structures, and an emp ...
'' *2007: "Get Outta My Way" featuring Big Left ''
Black Metal Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, a shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw (lo-fi) recording, unconventional song structures, and an emp ...
'' *2007: "Broken Pieces" featuring
Jeru the Damaja Kendrick Jeru Davis (born February 14, 1972), known as Jeru the Damaja, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his 1993 single " Come Clean" from his debut album, ''The Sun Rises in the East'', ranked as one of the 100 great ...
''
Black Metal Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, a shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, raw (lo-fi) recording, unconventional song structures, and an emp ...
'' *2009: "Do It" (produced by
DJ Solo Dave Abrams, better known as DJ Solo (often stylized DJ SOLO), is an American DJ, producer, rapper and visual artist. He is a part of the Cypress Hill affiliated Soul Assassins collective. His production credits include La Coka Nostra, Everla ...
) '' Soul Assassins: Intermission'' *2009: "Hey Young World" featuring
Heltah Skeltah Heltah Skeltah was an American hip hop duo which consisted of rappers Jahmal "Rock" Bush and Sean "Ruck" Price. The two were also members of New York supergroup Boot Camp Clik, along with Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and O.G.C. Biography He ...
''The Trojan Horse'' *2010: "Skull & Guns" featuring Slaine &
Everlast Erik Francis Schrody (born August 18, 1969), known by his stage name Everlast, is an American musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter, who was the frontman for hip hop group House of Pain. He was also part of the hip hop supergroup La Coka ...
'' DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill: Kill Devil Hills'' *2012: "Geometry of Business":
Vinnie Paz Vincenzo Luvineri (born October 5, 1977), better known as Vinnie Paz (formerly known as Ikon the Verbal Hologram), is a Sicilian American rapper and producer behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the fr ...
God of the Serengeti God of the Serengeti is the second studio album by American rapper Vinnie Paz. It was released on October 22, 2012. Background This effort follows up 2010's ''Season of The Assassin''. The album is said to include production and MC skills fro ...
*2015: "The Hard Way" ''House of Slaine''


References


External links


La Coka Nostra
at MySpace
lacokanostra.com

Suburban Noize Records page

''A Brand You Can Trust'' album details
* https://www.facebook.com/lacokanostramusic/posts/10157940434003425 {{Authority control American hip hop groups Hip hop supergroups Underground hip hop groups Musical groups established in 2006 Hardcore hip hop groups