 "Photo: Courtesy of La Coka Nostra")
With their harsh beats and "Scarface" imagery, it would seem that everyone in rap supergroup La Coka Nostra likes to party hardy.
For group founder Danny Boy, that's not the case.
The visual artist and former member of Irish hip-hop group House of Pain has been sober for four years, he said. This gave him the focus to get his friends from Brooklyn back together 17 years after the success of their hit single "Jump Around."
"Being sober has changed my outlook on the way I look at life," Danny Boy said. "I want to leave a legacy. I can't do that sitting around on drugs."
But he still remembers those restless nights basking in the decadence of fame.
"We were swinging on chandeliers like pirates," he said. "We pillaged."
La Coka Nostra, lined up to perform with Kottonmouth Kings at the Senator Theatre Feb. 26, bring together former House of Pain members Everlast and DJ Lethal, who found success with "What It's Like" and Limp Bizkit, respectively. Added to the mix are rappers Ill Bill, Slaine and Big Left. Their first album, "A Brand You Can Trust," will be released through Suburban Noize Records.
The group mixes gangster intensity with razor-sharp political commentary, Danny Boy said.
"We bring a punch-you-in-the-face atmosphere with that political gangster, new world order shit," he said.
Sophomore Kevin Hayato is going to the show to see the Kottonmouth Kings. He hadn't heard of La Coka Nostra, but remembers House of Pain fondly.
"I hope they're good, because 'Jump Around' is a phat jam," he said.
Junior Kelly Augustine hadn't heard of La Coka Nostra or House of Pain, but likes listening to supergroups.
"When everybody in a band is already established from somewhere else, you know they're probably going to be good," the history major said.
After House of Pain parted ways, Danny Boy concentrated on clothing and shoe design. Right now he heads all of the merchandising and publicity for the band. While he helped found La Coka Nostra, Danny Boy gave up rapping a long time ago and lets the other members of the band handle the music.
"I get my bread and butter with design. I'm not dependent on music," he said.
Danny Boy can't compete with La Coka Nostra members on the mic, he said.
"The music game's tough," he said. "I meet a rapper every 20 minutes."
He keeps himself busy with other projects, too, designing a line of Adidas shoes and video blogging for the Web site kushtv.com.
In 2005, he acted as executive producer for the movie "Just for Kicks," a documentary about the sneaker industry.
Danny Boy balances his different careers by staying focused and remaining grateful.
"I spent 10 years (being) broke and living on couches, so I value every opportunity," he said.
Earl Parsons can be reached at eparsons@theorion.com
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