It is hard these days to readily find genuine rap music. The same can be said for anything verging on metal.
It seems as though the public’s radar has been inundated with a lackluster version of pop/hip hop in recent years. So just when you think you will puke if you hear one more wispy synthesized pop vocal, leave it to several seasoned rap veterans to combine forces and reintroduce that edge we have all been missing.
La Coka Nostra recently released its debut “A Brand You Can Trust.” Even though this is the rap outfit’s debut, its is by no means new to this game. La Coka Nostra is a collective of well-known artists, and each one brings something distinctive to “A Brand You Can Trust.” La Coka Nostra is comprised of the infamous Everlast and Danny Boy, both formerly of House of Pain; rapper and producer Ill Bill Slaine, of Special Teamz; and DJ Lethal of Limp Bizkit and also formerly House of Pain.
La Coka Nostra is rap meets hardcore. The band possesses a grittiness that brings old-school rap right into the present. The group has a hardness about it that many artists completely lack these days. It is this uncompromising attitude alone that instantly sets this band apart.
Just as each member is diverse, each song on this album is different. The band starts with “Bloody Sunday,” featuring Big Left and Sen Dog of Cypress Hill. The track has the patented Latin-influenced hip-hop feel of Cypress Hill merged with the roughness of La Coka Nostra. Throughout “A Brand You Can Trust,” the band promotes an interesting version of gangster life. One of the album’s standout tracks it “Bang Bang,” featuring Snoop Dog. The track is an over-the-top simulation of thug life.
The addition of Everlast was definitely a wise move. He is known for his deep, soulful voice, which he makes good use of here. Everlast’s voice provides the key to one of the album’s standout tracks, “The Stain.” His voice is deeper than ever and is a reminder of why he was successful on his own.
From techno beats to Middle Eastern influences, “A Brand You Can Trust” encompasses it all. Fans of any one of the artists featured on “A Brand You Can Trust” will definitely look forward to hearing more from this band.
Rating: W W W
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