To Thine Own Self Be True

To Thine Own Self Be True is the third studio album by La Coka Nostra released on November 4, 2016, via Fat Beats Records.

To Thine Own Self Be True
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 4, 2016 (2016-11-04)[1]
GenreHip hop
Length44:21
LabelFat Beats Records
Producer
La Coka Nostra chronology
Masters of the Dark Arts
(2012)
To Thine Own Self Be True
(2016)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
RapReviews8.5/10[2]

Background

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In 2012, La Coka Nostra released their second album, Masters of the Dark Arts. It was the group's first project without Everlast and also their most critically acclaimed project, featuring collaborations with Vinnie Paz, Sean Price and production from DJ Premier and Statik Selektah. Since their debut, the group has become known for their energetic live performances and controversial subject matter, including on To Thine Own Self Be True. "This album was created during a time of unique and individual transformation for each member of the group," Ill Bill stated. "Speaking for myself, it's been a heavy last couple of years. It's definitely the most personal record we've made under the La Coka banner and while we're still making music that's hard as fuck, there's a maturity to this latest batch of songs that makes it different from a lot of the older stuff. I notice the biggest reactions come from the songs our listeners can personally relate to and we needed to make a record like this right now, not only for the fans, but for ourselves. I got a lot off my chest on this one. Making music can be extremely therapeutic and making To Thine Own Self Be True was a rebirth and a re-ignition for me."[citation needed] Slaine had a similar take on the project's therapeutic value: "You don't put as many years in the game as we have without having ups and downs. We all have gone through struggle and adversity-personally and professionally. This album was recorded as I walked out of a very dark time toward a place of truth and understanding. Music has been how I feed my family, my plane ticket around the world and a place I've built real friendships; but at the very core it's a tool I use to get through life. This album is a moment in time. It is visceral and real."[citation needed] While DJ Lethal continues to oversee the production of To Thine Own Self Be True, the group also enlisted Statik Selektah, Marco Polo, Salam Wreck and ChumZilla (from the Demigodz) and vocal contributions from extended family members such as Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Q-Unique, Sick Jacken, SKAM2? & Rite Hook.[3]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Dark Day Road"J572:46
2."I Need Help" (featuring Sick Jacken)
Leaf Dog3:38
3."Waging War" (featuring Rite Hook)
  • Braunstein
  • Carroll
  • Terrence C. Nugent
  • Janos Fulop
The Arcitype2:45
4."Murdered Tonight"
DJ Lethal3:09
5."Stay True"
Statik Selektah2:51
6."Blind" (featuring Q-Unique and Sadie Vada)
Marco Polo4:42
7."Crispy Innovators" (featuring Vinnie Paz)
Vherbal4:06
8."Archie Bunker" (featuring Nems)
  • Braunstein
  • Carroll
  • Travis Doyle
  • Dimant
DJ Lethal3:42
9."High Times" (featuring Sick Jacken)
  • Braunstein
  • Carroll
  • Gonzalez
  • Salam Nassar
Salam Wreck4:12
10."America" (featuring Apathy)
DJ Lethal4:01
11."Now Or Never" (featuring SKAM2? and Rite Hook)
  • Braunstein
  • Carroll
  • Kwesi Ogbourne
  • Nugent
  • Dimant
DJ Lethal4:00
12."To Thine Own Self Be True" (featuring Rite Hook)
  • Braunstein
  • Carroll
  • Nugent
  • Adam Mathiason
ChumZilla4:29
Total length:44:21

Personnel

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The following lists the personnel on the track:[4]

  • Danny Boy O'Connor – art direction
  • Treasure Little – art direction
  • Randy Riggs – layout
  • Peter Humphreys – mastering (tracks: 1–12)
  • Statik Selektah – mixing (track: 5)
  • Scott Stallone – Hohner melodica (track: 8), mixing (tracks: 1–4, 6–12)
  • Eric Bobo – live percussion (track 9)

Charts

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Chart (2016) Peak
position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[5] 95
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 38

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "To Thine Own Self Be True by La Coka Nostra on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  2. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (November 8, 2016). "La Coka Nostra :: To Thine Own Self Be True :: SoulSpazm/Fat Beats Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "LA COKA NOSTRA – To Thine Own Self Be True". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "La Coka Nostra – To Thine Own Self Be True (CD, Album) at Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  5. ^ "Swisscharts.com – La Coka Nostra – To Thine Own Self Be True". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  6. ^ "La Coka Nostra Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.