Founded in late 1994 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, 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, as well as associates from Psycho Realm, Special Teamz and others. It was not until early 2006 that an actual line up solidified. Plans to release an album were first voiced later the same year.
In late 2008, the group signed to Suburban Noize Records 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, B-Real, Sen Dog, Immortal Technique, Big Left and Q-Unique. 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.
On March 2, 2012, it was announced that Everlast would be leaving La Coka Nostra due to his daughter's medical issues.
המוסד
La Coka Nostra Lyrics
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Midst of the torn seventies
With bad memories
Bad habit's and sworn enemies
Terrifying prospects, baptized in fire
Black Irish chipped teeth
Fast lives and liars
Cars with fast tires, bitches with no morals
Caskets with no florals
Bodies with no headstones
Dirt naps and apathy i grew up in this
Now the worst cats is after me
Junkies and con artists with
The rivals and survivalists
Eyes emit's a deep abyss
I sleep with this connivingness
No wonder why this virus blister
When you ride with us
We can’t rid of all the
Sickness that’s inside of us
It’s just a gun but it feels
Like it’s such a heavy burden
It’s just a song but I feel the
Need to fit every word in
It’s just some whiskey but I can
Feel that the Chevy swerving
Are you ready to die now?
You better be certain
Make moves like Mossad, I’m close to God
Close to the jackpot though the road is hard
I’d rather take a bullet to
The dome than stop
So I’mma keep on going till the world is ours
Fools cause problems to rise, start eons ago
Shoot on targets and dive bomb, we on a roll
Ski on the snow
Try not to sniff yourself off the cliff
Know the ledge, know who your enemy is
Be certain who’s your friend
My shooters laugh at things
Like human trafficking
And looming anarchy, impending doom
Consuming savagery
But keeping it real goes wrong
It’s not funny
You can get jammed the fuck up like
Slick Rick when he shot his cousin
I seen the worm holes through sherm smoke
Seen family members burn coke and
OD then turn cold
Secret to surviving is not dying and pop iron
Stop trying to be something you’re not
Stop lying
Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Watch your mouth, what you say could get you
Showered with the gun
Crew spray your soul away
Draped in hatred and torture
Bones Brigade like Stacy Peralta
The lyrics of La Coka Nostra's song "המוסד" (transliterated as "HaMossad") paint a gritty picture of the artist's upbringing in Dorchester during the tumultuous 1970s. The verse begins by describing the challenging environment filled with bad memories, sworn enemies, and fast lives. The imagery of "black Irish chipped teeth" suggests a rough and tough neighborhood where survival is paramount. The lyrics further highlight the corrupting influence of money, lack of morals, and indifference towards death, symbolized by caskets with no florals and bodies with no headstones.
The song delves deeper into the artist's mindset, showcasing the sense of vulnerability and burden felt by carrying a gun and the need to express oneself truthfully through music. The reference to being ready to die signifies the constant danger and uncertainty present in this environment.
The chorus references Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency known for its covert operations. The line "Make moves like Mossad" implies the artist's determination, resourcefulness, and willingness to overcome obstacles in pursuit of success and power. Despite the hardships faced, the artist is unwavering in their determination to keep moving forward until they conquer the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Dorchester in the
I originated in Dorchester during the
Midst of the torn seventies
Amidst the turbulent 1970s
With bad memories
With unpleasant recollections
Bad habit's and sworn enemies
Undesirable behaviors and sworn adversaries
Terrifying prospects, baptized in fire
Frightful possibilities, baptized in hardship
Black Irish chipped teeth
Ethnic Irish individuals with damaged teeth
Fast lives and liars
Chaotic lifestyles and deceitful individuals
Cars with fast tires, bitches with no morals
Fast cars, immoral women
Money with no questions
Unquestionable wealth
Caskets with no florals
Flowerless coffins
Bodies with no headstones
Corpses without tombstones
Dirt naps and apathy i grew up in this
I grew up in a context of death and indifference
Now the worst cats is after me
Now the most dangerous individuals are pursuing me
Junkies and con artists with
Drug addicts and scam artists
The rivals and survivalists
Enemies and those bent on survival
Eyes emit's a deep abyss
Eyes that radiate a profound emptiness
I sleep with this connivingness
I rest with this cunning nature
No wonder why this virus blister
It's not surprising that this virus festers
When you ride with us
When you join us
We can’t rid of all the
We cannot eliminate all the
Sickness that’s inside of us
Illness that resides within us
It’s just a gun but it feels
A firearm is merely an object, but it carries
Like it’s such a heavy burden
A weight as if it's a significant burden
It’s just a song but I feel the
A song is simply music, but I sense the
Need to fit every word in
Compulsion to include every word
It’s just some whiskey but I can
Whiskey is only alcohol, yet I can
Feel that the Chevy swerving
Perceive the sensation of the Chevrolet veering
Are you ready to die now?
Are you prepared for death at this moment?
You better be certain
You must be absolutely sure
Make moves like Mossad, I’m close to God
Take actions resembling Mossad, I have a strong connection with God
Close to the jackpot though the road is hard
Near the ultimate prize despite the difficult journey
I’d rather take a bullet to
I would prefer to be shot in
The dome than stop
The head rather than halt
So I’mma keep on going till the world is ours
Therefore, I will persist until we conquer the world
Fools cause problems to rise, start eons ago
Idiots instigate the emergence of issues, beginning in ancient times
Shoot on targets and dive bomb, we on a roll
Aim and strike our targets aggressively, we are on an upward trajectory
Ski on the snow
Glide on the snow
Try not to sniff yourself off the cliff
Avoid self-destruction and falling off the edge
Know the ledge, know who your enemy is
Understand the limits, recognize your adversaries
Be certain who’s your friend
Ensure the identity of your trustworthy companion
My shooters laugh at things
My shooters find amusement in
Like human trafficking
Activities such as human trafficking
And looming anarchy, impending doom
And the imminent chaos, impending catastrophe
Consuming savagery
Absorbing brutality
But keeping it real goes wrong
However, maintaining authenticity leads to negative consequences
It’s not funny
It is not amusing
You can get jammed the fuck up like
You can get trapped and fucked up like
Slick Rick when he shot his cousin
Slick Rick when he mistakenly shot his cousin
I seen the worm holes through sherm smoke
I have witnessed the distorted reality through PCP smoke
Seen family members burn coke and
Observed family members abusing cocaine and
OD then turn cold
Overdose and subsequently pass away
Secret to surviving is not dying and pop iron
The key to survival is avoiding death and carrying a firearm
Stop trying to be something you’re not
Cease your efforts to portray an inauthentic identity
Stop lying
Cease your falsehoods
Death and life are in the power of the tongue
One's words hold the ability to bring about life or death
Watch your mouth, what you say could get you
Be cautious with your speech, as it may lead to
Showered with the gun
Being heavily targeted with gunfire
Crew spray your soul away
The crew dispenses gunfire causing the annihilation of your soul
Draped in hatred and torture
Covered in intense animosity and torment
Bones Brigade like Stacy Peralta
A group of individuals closely united, reminiscent of the skateboarding team led by Stacy Peralta
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind