Video: J. Stalin – “Cindafella” ft. Young Doe (Prod. by The Mekanix)

Stalin Will Love You, But Leave Before Midnight in This Not-Safe-For-Disney Video from On Behalf of the Streets 2

11.14.2016

Critical Praise:

“As the owner of Livewire Records, West Oakland rapper J Stalin provides a place for the growth of incredibly creative, meat-and-potatoes Bay Area hip-hop. The label hosts gritty rubbery street music that navigates crack dealing devastation and grounded partying tracks with equal aplomb, with artists that range from Stalin himself to MCs like Shady Nate and Philthy Rich among others.” – SPIN

“J Stalin pushes the envelope by vividly reiterating his Mob Bay Area persona and turmoil of his harsh upbringing.” – XXL

“This is what Stalin does: he takes things–sounds, human beings, grocery stores–and warps them into something extraterrestrial. It’s eerie, but you’re dancing anyway.” – Passion of the Weiss

The Video:

It’s the classic fairy tale: Cinderella transforms for an evening from a beleaguered servant into an elegant princess in order to win her Prince Charming. However, as Bay Area rapper J. Stalin proves, there is a fair amount of deception that goes unmentioned in that ages old story. The latest video single from On Behalf of the Streets 2, “Cindafella” inverts the famous tale, with Stalin playing the titular character over a lush instrumental courtesy of The Mekanix with twinkling keys, rubbery bass, and angelic vocal samples. Featuring an appearance from Denver’s Young Doe, the video finds Stalin in a tropical resort with video vixen September Reign, basking under palm trees and relaxing in a hammock. Though it might seem as if Stalin is the perfect gentleman, the West Oakland veteran has other intentions in mind. Explains J. Stalin, “she thinks she’s spending the night with Prince Charming, but I turn into a dirtbag at midnight.”

Repping his West Oakland neighborhood and providing his own take on hyphy and mob music with his slick wordplay, J. Stalin is one of the Bay Area’s most respected emcees. Released ten years after his debut album On Behalf of the Streets, Stalin returned in October with On Behalf of the Streets 2,premiered by HipHopDX. Produced entirely by Bay Area duo The Mekanix, and featuring appearances from IAMSU!, K Camp, Nef The Pharaoh, Lil Blood, G-Eazy, Philthy Rich, Slim 400, Rayven Justice, Celly Ru, 4Rax of the Mekanix, Young Doe, G-Stack, Erk Da Jerk and a posthumous appearance from The Jacka, among others, OBOTS 2 is a worthy sequel to the original, illustrating Stalin’s transformation from a young upstart to an established veteran. Released via Livewire Records, On Behalf of the Streets 2 is currently available to buy on iTunes and stream on Spotify.