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.
Letter To Ouisch
La Coka Nostra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Starting shooting heroin at fourteen to numb the pain
Track marks similar to tattoos tell the story of a sad fool
Tragic monologue of a man who became a victim of half-truths and whispered secrets
His own inner-demons, syringes and lesions
Crack pipes and binges for weekends
Led to benders and blackouts that last for seasons
For no apparent reasons, never had children
Found joy in the thrill of the streets and crack parties
Robbing drug dealers, selling dope, selling soap
Locked in the belly of the beast where the felons roam
Gift of gab, quick-witted with the clever soul
Couldn’t keep him from catching a buck-fifty in his dome
Matter fact, more like 250, too shifty
His name was Howie but on Rikers Island he was just
Time and time again as I pick up the pen
As my thoughts emerge these are those words
I glance at the paper to know what’s going on
Someone’s doing wrong, the story goes on
A lot of stuff happens that the news won’t tell yous
Loose all L juice, snooze all hell loose
State of the slums, kill four, play the drums
Fake ones, they’re coarse with smiles and snake tongues
Fuck the clan it with coke man, I stand by my own
All by myself grown up but fuck you I’m abandoned, disowned
I’m alive and thrivin', drivin' like a bandit wit gold
You ain’t got no balls so you don’t understand it at all
I’m America’s nightmare, I’m a werewolf with soul
I’m unbearable with no fam' I’m just terrible yo
I have hate in my heart so when I tear a new hole
In all your dreams and ideals, momma where would you go?
Watched my father betray me baby watched Erica go
That’s interference, I just wanted Terrence to grow
Steering clear of all these voices I can hear in my skull
Here in my head, surrounded by these spirits is dead
Who are you to trust and who I am to judge it?
This is do-or-die, suicide on a budget
You can hate or love it but I put it on my motherfucking mother
That I came out and I ain’t going back to the gutter
Time and time again as I pick up the pen
As my thoughts emerge these are those words
I glance at the paper to know what’s going on
Someone’s doing wrong, the story goes on
A lot of stuff happens that the news won’t tell yous
Loose all L juice, snooze all hell loose
State of the slums, kill four, play the drums
Fake ones, they’re coarse with smiles and snake tongues
The story goes on
The lyrics of La Coka Nostra's "Letter to Ouisch" depict the tragic life of a man who was born into a sorrowful destiny. He never knew his father and started shooting heroin at the age of fourteen, which became his only escape from the pain of his life. The track marks on his arm tell the story of the sad fool he became. He fell victim to half-truths and whispered secrets, which led him towards his own inner demons. He found joy in the thrill of the streets and crack parties, but he was never able to escape his troubles.
Despite his endeavors, he couldn't keep himself from getting caught up in binges and blackouts for no apparent reason. He never had children and remained a child in a man's body. He ended up locked in the belly of the beast where the felons roam, and met his tragic end. The lyrics illustrate how despite the choices made by such a person, they are still deserving of sympathy, as they fell victim to the cruel world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
His father died, never knew him to shield him from the rain
He lost his father at a young age and never had a protector or guide in his life
Starting shooting heroin at fourteen to numb the pain
He turned to drugs as a coping mechanism at a young age
Track marks similar to tattoos tell the story of a sad fool
His drug addiction is evident through visible scars
Tragic monologue of a man who became a victim of half-truths and whispered secrets
He was deceived by those around him, leading to his downfall
His own inner-demons, syringes and lesions
His addiction led to physical and mental health issues
Crack pipes and binges for weekends
He would binge on drugs on weekends
Led to benders and blackouts that last for seasons
His drug use caused extended periods of time where he couldn't recall his actions
For no apparent reasons, never had children
He didn't have children and it's unclear why
He was a child in a man’s body
He struggled to mature emotionally and make responsible decisions
Found joy in the thrill of the streets and crack parties
He enjoyed the excitement of the dangerous lifestyle he led
Robbing drug dealers, selling dope, selling soap
He resorted to illegal activities to make money
Locked in the belly of the beast where the felons roam
He was imprisoned and surrounded by other criminals
Gift of gab, quick-witted with the clever soul
He was charismatic and had a quick wit
Couldn’t keep him from catching a buck-fifty in his dome
He couldn't avoid getting slashed in the face with a blade
Matter fact, more like 250, too shifty
He actually got cut deeper than he initially thought
His name was Howie but on Rikers Island he was just
He was stripped of his identity in prison
Time and time again as I pick up the pen
The artist is reflecting on his experiences
As my thoughts emerge these are those words
He's putting his thoughts into words
I glance at the paper to know what’s going on
He's trying to make sense of his situation
Someone’s doing wrong, the story goes on
There is an ongoing cycle of wrongdoing
A lot of stuff happens that the news won’t tell yous
The media doesn't report on everything that happens
Loose all L juice, snooze all hell loose
Things can quickly spiral out of control
State of the slums, kill four, play the drums
Violence is commonplace and celebrated in the impoverished areas
Fake ones, they’re coarse with smiles and snake tongues
There are many deceitful people in this world
Fuck the clan it with coke man, I stand by my own
He doesn't need anyone else and will do things his own way
All by myself grown up but fuck you I’m abandoned, disowned
He's forced to be independent due to lack of support
I’m America’s nightmare, I’m a werewolf with soul
He's a symbol of the darkness and chaos present in society
I’m unbearable with no fam' I’m just terrible yo
He acknowledges that he's not the easiest person to deal with
I have hate in my heart so when I tear a new hole
His anger drives him to lash out at others
In all your dreams and ideals, momma where would you go?
He questions the values and beliefs instilled in him by his mother
Watched my father betray me baby watched Erica go
He's experienced betrayal and abandonment from those closest to him
That’s interference, I just wanted Terrence to grow
He's been prevented from achieving his goals by external factors
Steering clear of all these voices I can hear in my skull
He's trying to silence the negative thoughts in his head
Here in my head, surrounded by these spirits is dead
He's tormented by his own demons
Who are you to trust and who I am to judge it?
He questions the reliability of others and his own ability to make judgments
This is do-or-die, suicide on a budget
He feels like he's in a life-or-death situation but has limited means to change it
You can hate or love it but I put it on my motherfucking mother
He doesn't care about others' opinions because he's doing things for himself
That I came out and I ain’t going back to the gutter
He's determined to rise above his circumstances and not return to a life of poverty and crime
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike K
This beat is so sick!! Respect!
Thordur Bjarkar
I wish it was longer.. love this raw style!!
Wookie Lebon
I've seen you guys in Rome live the 31 of May and it was awsome. RESPECT FROM ROME!
MetalFaceVic
Love this song. Too raw! Wish it was longer though. COKA!
BrodyzVidz
Ill Bill is so innovative & dope it's almost unreal! LCN, Non Phixion, PLR 4 life!
Caleb Breer
favorite track on the album
Jim Birchall
Who is else puts out tracks with this much thought? These guys are seriously slept on
MooseBeef
vinnie needs to be on a remix or something in this song this beat is for him!!
AbbottSupreme
DOPE BIG UP LA COKA NOSTRA! Peace!
pmon
great album