What makes A Brand You Can Trust by La Coka Nostra notable?

'A Brand You Can Trust' received attention for its hard-hitting lyrics and production, debuting at number 57 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's content, touching on themes of violence and street life, sparked discussions about its provocative nature while further cementing La Coka Nostra's influence in the hardcore hip-hop scene. By the time 'A Brand You Can Trust' was released in July 2009, La Coka Nostra had already established themselves as a significant force in hardcore hip-hop. This album marked their first full-length release after the group's formation in 2006 and followed their earlier mixtapes, showcasing a more polished yet unfiltered sound as they solidified their identity within the genre.

How many songs are on A Brand You Can Trust?

A Brand You Can Trust has 15 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

A Brand You Can Trust

La Coka Nostra · 2009

57 min · 15 tracks · hardcore hip-hop

Aggressive beats and raw lyricism collide in a gritty exploration of urban life and personal struggle.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Bloody Sunday — Opening with a powerful declaration, this track sets the tone for the entire album with its intense energy and stark themes of social unrest.
→
I'm an American — This track stands out for its biting commentary on national identity, juxtaposing personal struggle against broader societal issues.
→
Cousin of Death — With its haunting production and evocative imagery, this song encapsulates the lyrical depth and emotional weight present throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album delivers aggressive beats and raw lyrics, maintaining a strong thematic focus throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Bloody Sunday', that sets an aggressive tone, which is maintained through the first half of the record.
The production features heavy beats and samples, often layering multiple elements to create a dense soundscape that complements the aggressive delivery of the vocals.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bloody Sunday 3:12
2 Get You By 4:01
3 Bang Bang 3:30
4 The Stain 5:21
5 I'm an American 3:59
6 Brujeria 2:41
7 Once Upon a Time 3:19
8 Cousin of Death 4:18
9 Choose Your Side 4:22
10 Hardcore Chemical 3:23
11 Soldier's Story 3:50
12 Gun in Your Mouth 3:39
13 Nuclear Medicinemen 4:38
14 That's Coke 3:09
15 Fuck Tony Montana 4:23

What to play next

Listen next

Masters of the Dark Arts

2012

Go back to

The LCN LP

2006

Full La Coka Nostra discography Artists like La Coka Nostra

hardcore hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata