“Vibrant and exploding with personality, J. Stalin is a knowing, mischievous wise-ass whose charisma hangs between unapologetic cockiness and the ability to cut through rap’s fantasy-addled drug fetishism and provide sobering reality.”Ā –Ā Pitchfork
“One of Oakland’s illest MCs”Ā –Ā XXL
“As the owner of Livewire Records,Ā West Oakland rapper J StalinĀ 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.” –Ā SPIN
“This is what Stalin does: he takes thingsāsounds, human beings, grocery storesāand warps them into something extraterrestrial. Itās eerie, but youāre dancing anyway.” – Passion of the Weiss
J StalinĀ is a crucial figure in the history of Oakland hip-hop, who reoriented the region’s sound around the hard-nosed, slickly produced Mob Music in which he specializes. Delivering a short film about his favorite vice, Stalin sharesĀ “Backwoods.”Ā A soulful dedication to his favorite girl, Mary Jane, “Backwoods” reverberates with passion and paranoia in equal measure, mimicking the effects of Stalin’s favorite drug. The song features a guest appearance fromĀ Kevin Allen, a fellow Bay Area rapper, whose mellow 16 provides a contrast to Stalin’s hard-hustling bars. The video finds J Stalin walking around town with the personification of a Backwoods blunt, before heading to a hotel and popping bubbly with Kevin Allen and some baddies.
“Backwoods” is the latest video fromĀ Prenuptial Agreement 2,Ā Stalin’s new album, following clips for project highlights āTo Do Listā andĀ āWho U Talkin 2 (ft. June).āĀ The sequel to the 2010 breakout project that made him a rgional star,Ā Prenuptial AgreementĀ 2Ā is a showcase for Stalin’s raspy vocals, brutally honest lyrics, and peerless ability to navigate mob instrumentals. Moving from love songs to hustlers’ anthems and back with effortless ease, the album features production from Mob Music architects likeĀ The Mekanix,Ā Clayton Williams, andĀ Mike Made The 808s, plus younger beatmakers likeĀ Juneonnabeat. Like theĀ Pitchfork-acclaimedĀ original, which brought guest spots from the likes of E-40 and The Jacka,Ā Prenuptial AgreementĀ brings an eclectic cast of characters, from fellow Oaklanders likeĀ Philthy Rich,Ā 22nd Jim, andĀ Jane HandcockĀ standing up for the 357, and street heroes from other cities, like Florida’sĀ JackboyĀ and Stockton’sĀ EBK Young Joc,Ā who sound right at home.
Loyal to the grind and his family, J. Stalin is building a legacy for himself and the Oakland scene he hails from. WithĀ Prenuptial Agreement 2, the proudly independent artist cements his rightful place in Bay Area history.
Watch “Backwoods” ft. Kevin Allen:Ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgsBNAnyNRo
StreamĀ Prenuptial Agreement 2:Ā Ā https://music.empi.re/prenuptialagreement2
Buy ticketsĀ HEREĀ for the Livewire Reunion Tour, featuring J Stalin, Philthy Rich, and Lil Blood
Prenuptial Agreement 2Ā tracklist:
Please contact Michelle or Annjie for more info.
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Bio, pics, and more available here:Ā http://www.
“Backwoods” ft. Kevin Allen:Ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgsBNAnyNRo
“Who U Talkin 2” ft. June:Ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAJeq4BPiQE
āTo Do Listā ft. June Poole:Ā https://youtu.be/1igzgSeXLsA
Prenuptial Agreement 2:Ā https://music.empi.re/prenuptialagreement2