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.
The Stain
La Coka Nostra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let them devils take it away
All that glitters is not gold, girl
Hollywood is a dangerous place to play
Keep an out for your soul, girl
Cause ain't nothing getting rid of the stain
The hills are dark, the hills are cold, girl
[Verse 1: Ill Bill]
Her heels clicking on the black asphalt
Her beauty's a pistol and a passport
I couldn't tell her nothin, look what her titties and her ass bought
You never asked what that cost, tell her that she can't afford it
Next thing you know she gotta have it, she can't avoid it
Champagne dreams, caviar wishes
Barely eighteen with bad intentions
Baby take heed, don't just laugh
And stress the fact I'm in the music business
Accuse me of using bitches
You're probably right, that guarantees it's the truth I'm spittin'
Trust nobody, question everything
The only thing certain is death eventually
And how perception is received
Deception is conceived, sex, drugs, decadence, and greed
You're my daughter, I raised you to be a queen
It seems like it was just yesterday you were born
I take responsibility for putting you onto the truth
To the devils and the gods it doesn't matter if you live in the rain
You can't wash it out cause nothing gets rid of the stain
[Chorus]
Keep an eye out for your soul, girl
Don't let the devils take it away
Hills are dark here, hills are cold girl
It's soaked in blood, they're draped in pain
Keep an eye out for your soul, girl
Don't let the devils take it away
All that glitters is not gold, girl
Hollywood is a dangerous place to play
[Verse 2: Slaine]
The hills have eyes in the land of lost angels in skies
The lies are disguised leaving truth tangled and tied
The fiends are awake, the lights are bright, the strangers are high
Dreams are at stake, there's no brakes on a dangerous ride
First you love it and you want it, go faster cause it's a rush
Hit the gas, try to chase cause you want it but you can't touch
The more that you speed and try to catch the further you fall
You scream for help and it seems nobody heard you at all
Baby, I don't want to see you repeat it and try to be me
Believing all the bullshit that they feed you on the TV
You're my seed and I was tortured, I need you to believe me
I rose from the city, fell into the seedy side of greedy
It's a letter from your daddy if I'm gone when you hear it
Just a memory, a voice on a record, even a spirit
Just remember it don't matter if you live in the rain
And try to wash it out, nothing gets rid of the stain
[Chorus]
Keep an eye out for your soul, girl
Don't let them devils take it away
All that glitters is not gold, girl
Hollywood is a dangerous place to play
Keep an out for your soul, girl
Cause ain't nothing getting rid of the stain
The hills are dark, the hills are old, girl
They're soaked in blood, they're draped in pain
The song "The Stain" by La Coka Nostra is a cautionary tale about the dangers of Hollywood and the music industry. The song starts with the warning to a girl to keep an eye out for her soul and not let the devils take it away. The girl is cautioned against the alluring glitter of Hollywood, which can be a dangerous place to play. The verse by Ill Bill talks about the music business and the temptation of sex, drugs, and decadence that lurks within it. Towards the end of his verse, he takes responsibility for putting the girl onto the truth and warns her that nothing can wash away the stain of this industry.
The second verse by Slaine is addressed to his daughter. He talks about the lies disguised in the land of lost angels in the skies and how dreams are at stake. He warns her against believing the bullshit that they feed her on TV and encourages her to believe him when he tells her how tortured he was in the industry. They both end their verses cautioning the girl that nothing can get rid of the stain of this industry.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released as part of their album "Masters of the Dark Arts" in 2012. This album is considered to be one of the strongest hip-hop releases of that year. Another interesting fact about the song is that it features Ill Bill's daughter as the girl being warned about the dangers of the music industry. The song was produced by Statik Selektah, who is known for his work with other hip-hop artists like Freddie Gibbs and Action Bronson.
Overall, "The Stain" is a powerful warning about the dangers that lurk in the entertainment industry, especially the music business. It is a reminder to aspiring artists to be mindful of their souls and not lose themselves in the glitter and fleeting fame that the industry offers.
Chords: This is a rap song, so there are no chords associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep an eye out for your soul, girl
Be cautious of your own well-being, girl.
Don't let them devils take it away
Do not let the evil forces influence you.
All that glitters is not gold, girl
Not everything that looks good is good.
Hollywood is a dangerous place to play
The entertainment industry is a hazardous environment.
Keep an out for your soul, girl
Be wary of the state of your spirit.
Cause ain't nothing getting rid of the stain
The damage cannot be undone.
The hills are dark, the hills are cold, girl
The location is ominous and ominous.
They're soaked in blood, they're draped in pain
There has been significant suffering in this place.
Her heels clicking on the black asphalt
The sound of her footsteps on the dark pavement.
Her beauty's a pistol and a passport
Her attractiveness is both a weapon and an opportunity.
I couldn't tell her nothin, look what her titties and her ass bought
I could not stop her, look at what she was able to acquire just by using her physique.
You never asked what that cost, tell her that she can't afford it
You did not inquire about the price and tell her that it is unaffordable.
Next thing you know she gotta have it, she can't avoid it
Before you know it, she becomes obsessed and cannot resist.
Champagne dreams, caviar wishes
Desiring a luxury lifestyle.
Barely eighteen with bad intentions
Being deceitful even at a young age.
Baby take heed, don't just laugh
Listen carefully and take it seriously, do not dismiss it as a joke.
And stress the fact I'm in the music business
Make a point of the fact that I work in the music industry.
Accuse me of using bitches
Blame me for exploiting women.
You're probably right, that guarantees it's the truth I'm spittin'
You are most likely correct, it confirms that I am speaking the truth.
Trust nobody, question everything
Do not rely on anyone and scrutinize everything.
The only thing certain is death eventually
The only certainty in life is death.
And how perception is received
How things are perceived.
Deception is conceived, sex, drugs, decadence, and greed
Falsehoods are created by indulging in sex, drugs, luxury, and greed.
You're my daughter, I raised you to be a queen
You are my child, I raised you to be a dignified individual.
It seems like it was just yesterday you were born
It feels like only yesterday that you were born.
I take responsibility for putting you onto the truth
I am accountable for teaching you the reality of life.
To the devils and the gods it doesn't matter if you live in the rain
Both evil and goodness are indifferent to your circumstances.
The hills have eyes in the land of lost angels in skies
The hills represent the presence of the pure and the damned.
The lies are disguised leaving truth tangled and tied
The truth is concealed with falsehoods.
The fiends are awake, the lights are bright, the strangers are high
Evil is present, the surroundings are bright, and unknown individuals are under the influence.
Dreams are at stake, there's no brakes on a dangerous ride
One's aspirations are at risk, and there is no way to slow down on the perilous journey.
First you love it and you want it, go faster cause it's a rush
Initially, you enjoy and yearn for the experience and desire to accelerate due to it being exciting.
Hit the gas, try to chase cause you want it but you can't touch
Step on the gas pedal, try to pursue it, but you cannot physically grasp it.
The more that you speed and try to catch the further you fall
The faster you go, the more you attempt to acquire it, the deeper you sink.
You scream for help and it seems nobody heard you at all
Asking for assistance, but no one listens.
Baby, I don't want to see you repeat it and try to be me
I do not want you to mimic me and make the same errors.
Believing all the bullshit that they feed you on the TV
Accepting all of the lies told on television.
I rose from the city, fell into the seedy side of greedy
I came from the depths of the metropolis and plunged into the corrupt, selfish world.
It's a letter from your daddy if I'm gone when you hear it
A message from your father if he is not present when you find it.
Just a memory, a voice on a record, even a spirit
It will merely be a recollection, an audio recording, or even an apparition.
Just remember it don't matter if you live in the rain
Remember that the circumstances you are in do not matter.
And try to wash it out, nothing gets rid of the stain
And even if you try to undo the wrongs, it cannot be completely eliminated.
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@haggardheartagram81
Been waiting on this album for over 3 years, and it does NOT disappoint!! This is my favorite song on the album...LCN & Everlast fan FOREVER!
@MrSlimshadyshow
Oh my god...Im french, and we can't make a song like this...i call this a masterpiece, total respect from France
@hockeythug6969
Probably 1 of the best songs ive ever heard
@mrskepto7315
слушаю уже 6 лет и никак не отпустит !
@Da40cal
Hip Hop ain't dead, it just gone underground.
@wastelandwarriorz665fanacc8
Listing to vinyl right now 🎵 just came to give song a like
@shelbytobin96
This song gives me goose bumps, and the lyrics are amazing -3
@StitchedLipScripts
This album is amazing but this track is on some next level. A powerful piece of music indeed.
@avahemen4924
one of my favorite songs
@LukeAMcKay
Same.