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.
ONCE UPON A TIME
La Coka Nostra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo I? mma take it back to the old school like Red Dawn
And blow the fuck up like Lebanon
You ain? t my first or my second, you my thousandth born
And I put you on all that shit you on
The originator, kid, look what you done did
Snitched, told a fib, sent feds to the crib
I ain? t under arrest, I? m David Koresh
Bring all your big guns and your funeral clothes
Cause my rap? s gonna feel like six Wacos
Make a new set of laws and we? ll still break those
Get a new list of drugs, we will take those
Standing on the block in my b-boy pose
Nike sneakers on my feet and my wrist stay froze
Chilling on the corner in a b-boy stance
With a gun in my pants and some blood on my hands
(Slaine)
Once upon a time not too far in the past
When people said what they meant and lived life fast
There was a young man who was misled
By another motherfucker, this is what he said
Once upon a time less recently
I had to walk around with the piece with me
There was a young man who was misled
So I put the gun to his head, this is what I said
(Ill Bill)
Dance with the Devil, conquer the planet with God
Swim with the sharks and transcend unbearable odds
Wrestle alligators, man-eaters, snakes, and gorillas
I catch a bullet in my teeth and spit it back you killer
I painted cathedrals with Michelangelo
Decorated the face of a nasty hoe while the camcorder rolls
I? m a certified stunner surrounded by murderers
Tech 9 runners and pistol-packing homicide gunners
Coka Nostradamus, holy rollers exploding martyrs
We heat the block up hotter than molten lava
Realer than rock stars dying in bathtubs choking on vomit
I? m like a psychedelic drug that you open your mind with
My logo incite riots, cause oppressed nations to rise in defiance
Overthrowing any tyrant, any war machine, any shadow government structure
On a grassy knoll my guns and ammo will touch ya, fucka
Once upon a time not too far in the past
When people said what they meant and lived life fast
There was a young man who was misled
By another motherfucker, this is what he said
Once upon a time less recently
I had to walk around with the piece with me
There was a young man who was misled
So I put the gun to his head, this is what I said
(Slaine)
This is LCN, we ain? t for the faint of heart
We rearrange your teeth, leave your cheeks maimed with scars
C? mon man, you know your grind ain? t the same as ours
The only time you held nines was in a game of cards
And your crew is full of fags like a gang at Oz
I roll with strictly underdogs who overcame the odds
Pushers, villains, rap legends, hookers, and killers
This is for the lost angels and the Brooklyn guerillas
Boston stranglers, con artists, scammers, and thieves
We fuck porn stars right down to amateur freaks
I need a grand in my sneaks, gram of the leak, hand on my piece
Anything else is only bringing sand to the beach
I? m a bad motherfucker, that? s why I rose above you
When you? re like me everybody loathes to love you
Say I might be the next one OD? d in a room
With an unreleased album and a seed in the womb
Once upon a time not too far in the past
When people said what they meant and lived life fast
There was a young man who was misled
By another motherfucker, this is what he said
Once upon a time less recently
I had to walk around with the piece with me
There was a young man who was misled
So I put the gun to his head, this is what I said
The song "Once Upon a Time" by La Coka Nostra features three different verses, each delivered by a different member of the group. The first verse is by Everlast and talks about his dominance in the rap world, declaring himself as the originator and warning others not to cross him. He references David Koresh, the infamous religious cult leader who died in a violent confrontation with the U.S. government, suggesting that he too is willing to use violence to protect his position. The second verse is by Slaine, who tells a story about a young man who was misled by someone else and was eventually forced to carry a gun for protection. The third verse, by Ill Bill, talks about his fearlessness and willingness to confront any challenge, from wrestling alligators to taking on tyrannical governments.
The overall message of the song seems to be one of defiance and resistance, against both the mainstream rap industry and the societal forces that push young men towards violence and criminality. The repeated phrase "once upon a time" suggests a nostalgia for a simpler, more honest time, when people were more direct and truthful. But the song also acknowledges the harsh realities of the present day, where success often means resorting to deceit and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo I? mma take it back to the old school like Red Dawn
I'm going to bring it back to the old-school style like the movie Red Dawn.
And blow the fuck up like Lebanon
I'm going to blow up and get big like Lebanon did.
You ain? t my first or my second, you my thousandth born
You're not my first or second priority, you're way down the list at number one thousand.
And I put you on all that shit you on
I introduced you to all the things you're into now.
The originator, kid, look what you done did
I'm the one who started everything and look what you've done with it.
Snitched, told a fib, sent feds to the crib
You snitched and lied, and sent the government to my house.
I ain? t under arrest, I? m David Koresh
I'm not in jail, I'm like David Koresh, a cult leader who stood up against the government.
Bring a strap and a vest, send your mother my best
Come prepared for a fight and give your mother my regards.
Bring all your big guns and your funeral clothes
Bring all your weapons and be ready to die.
Cause my rap? s gonna feel like six Wacos
My music is going to feel like six Waco sieges, where the government invaded and killed innocent people.
Make a new set of laws and we? ll still break those
Even if you create new laws, we'll still break them.
Get a new list of drugs, we will take those
Even if you come up with new drugs, we'll still use them.
Standing on the block in my b-boy pose
I'm standing on the street corner in a classic b-boy stance.
Nike sneakers on my feet and my wrist stay froze
I'm wearing expensive Nike sneakers and my wrist is adorned with jewelry.
Chilling on the corner in a b-boy stance
I'm relaxing on the street corner in a classic b-boy stance.
With a gun in my pants and some blood on my hands
I have a gun in my pants and am responsible for some violence.
Once upon a time not too far in the past
This story took place not too long ago.
When people said what they meant and lived life fast
Back then, people were more direct and lived life at a faster pace.
There was a young man who was misled
There was a young man who was led astray by someone else.
By another motherfucker, this is what he said
By another person, he was influenced to say certain things.
Once upon a time less recently
This story took place even further back in the past.
I had to walk around with the piece with me
I had to carry a gun with me for protection.
So I put the gun to his head, this is what I said
So I threatened him with a gun and said certain things to him.
Dance with the Devil, conquer the planet with God
Take risks and face danger, but also have faith and achieve great things.
Swim with the sharks and transcend unbearable odds
Take on great challenges and overcome difficult obstacles.
Wrestle alligators, man-eaters, snakes, and gorillas
Face various dangerous animals and be victorious.
I catch a bullet in my teeth and spit it back you killer
I am so skilled that I can catch and return a bullet fired at me.
I painted cathedrals with Michelangelo
I am an excellent artist, as good as Michelangelo, who famously painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Decorated the face of a nasty hoe while the camcorder rolls
I filmed myself performing a sexual act with a promiscuous woman.
I? m a certified stunner surrounded by murderers
I am highly attractive and am surrounded by dangerous criminals.
Tech 9 runners and pistol-packing homicide gunners
My associates are highly skilled with firearms and willing to commit murder.
Coka Nostradamus, holy rollers exploding martyrs
La Coka Nostra is like Nostradamus, predicting the future. We are also religious, but willing to die for our beliefs.
We heat the block up hotter than molten lava
We make the streets lively and active, like molten lava.
Realer than rock stars dying in bathtubs choking on vomit
We are more authentic and truthful than rock stars who have died in tragic circumstances.
I? m like a psychedelic drug that you open your mind with
I am similar to a psychedelic drug that helps you see things in a new way.
My logo incite riots, cause oppressed nations to rise in defiance
My symbol inspires people to protest and rebel against oppression.
Overthrowing any tyrant, any war machine, any shadow government structure
We are willing to fight against any dictator, military power, or secret government organization.
On a grassy knoll my guns and ammo will touch ya, fucka
I am ready to fight and will use my guns and ammunition to defeat my enemies.
This is LCN, we ain? t for the faint of heart
La Coka Nostra is not for weak or timid individuals.
We rearrange your teeth, leave your cheeks maimed with scars
If you mess with us, we will physically harm you and cause you serious injury.
C? mon man, you know your grind ain? t the same as ours
Our lifestyle and work ethic is much different and more demanding than yours.
The only time you held nines was in a game of cards
The only time you held guns was in a game of poker, not in real life.
And your crew is full of fags like a gang at Oz
Your group is full of homosexuals, like the TV show Oz that takes place in a prison.
I roll with strictly underdogs who overcame the odds
I associate with people who have faced adversity and triumphed in their lives.
Pushers, villains, rap legends, hookers, and killers
My associates include drug dealers, criminals, successful rappers, prostitutes, and murderers.
This is for the lost angels and the Brooklyn guerillas
This music is dedicated to those who have fallen and the rebellious people of Brooklyn.
Boston stranglers, con artists, scammers, and thieves
We associate with dangerous criminals and people involved in illegal activities.
We fuck porn stars right down to amateur freaks
We have sex with professional porn stars and even regular, amateur people who are sexually adventurous.
I need a grand in my sneaks, gram of the leak, hand on my piece
I need money, drugs, and a gun to feel secure.
Anything else is only bringing sand to the beach
Anything else is unnecessary or pointless, like bringing sand to a beach.
I? m a bad motherfucker, that? s why I rose above you
I'm a tough and formidable person, which is why I surpassed you in life.
When you? re like me everybody loathes to love you
When you're as tough as I am, people are afraid to love or show affection towards you.
Say I might be the next one OD? d in a room
People are saying I might die from a drug overdose, alone in a room.
With an unreleased album and a seed in the womb
When I die, I will leave behind an unfinished music project and a child who will carry on my legacy.
Writer(s): Tian Ce Copyright: Mark Lui And His Music Production Limited
Contributed by Isabella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bncbrny
Best of la coka nostra!
@sergiugrigore1075
Instrumental name please ?
@UltraViolenceG13
YEEEEEAAAHH
@1324rob
Anyone here after the beirut explosion?