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 La Coka Nostra
Released	November 4, 2016 (2016-11-04)[1]
Genre	Hip hop
Length	44:21
Label	Fat Beats Records
Producer	DJ Lethal, J57, Leaf Dog, The Arcitype, Statik Selektah, Marco Polo, Vherbal, Salam Wreck, ChumZilla
La Coka Nostra chronology
Masters of the Dark Arts (2012) To Thine Own Self Be True (2016)

Background

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." 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." 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.[2]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Dark Day Road"	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, James Victor Heinz	J57	2:46
2.	"I Need Help" (featuring Sick Jacken)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Jack Gonzalez	Leaf Dog	3:38
3.	"Waging War" (featuring Rite Hook)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant	The Arcitype	2:45
4.	"Murdered Tonight"	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant	DJ Lethal	3:09
5.	"Stay True"	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Patrick Baril	Statik Selektah	2:51
6.	"Blind" (featuring Q-Unique and Sadie Vada)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Anthony Quiles	Marco Polo	4:42
7.	"Crispy Innovators" (featuring Vinnie Paz)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Vincenzo Luvineri	Vherbal	4:06
8.	"Archie Bunker" (featuring Nems)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant	DJ Lethal	3:42
9.	"High Times" (featuring Sick Jacken)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Jack Gonzalez	Salam Wreck	4:12
10.	"America" (featuring Apathy)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant, Chad Bromley	DJ Lethal	4:01
11.	"Now Or Never" (featuring SKAM2? and Rite Hook)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant	DJ Lethal	4:00
12.	"To Thine Own Self Be True" (featuring Rite Hook)	William Braunstein, George Carroll, Daniel O'Connor, Leor Dimant	ChumZilla	4:29
Total length:				44:21

Personnel

The following lists the personnel on the track:[3]

• 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

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[4]	95
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5]	38

See also

• Hamlet, Shakespeare's play in which the phrase "to thine own self be true" is famously spoken by Polonius
• "To Thine Own Elf, Be True", a 1990 episode of My Two Dads

References

1. "To Thine Own Self Be True by La Coka Nostra on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
2. "LA COKA NOSTRA – To Thine Own Self Be True". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
3. "La Coka Nostra – To Thine Own Self Be True (CD, Album) at Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
4. "Swisscharts.com – La Coka Nostra – To Thine Own Self Be True". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
5. "La Coka Nostra Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.