Album – J. Stalin – Tears of Joy + “Selling Crack” Video

Bay Area Legend Releases His 14th Solo Album + Heartfelt Video on the Realities of His Former Hustling Days

10.30.2015

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

The Album:

Bay Area mainstay J. Stalin is back – today he’s releasing his 14th solo album, Tears Of Joy, which is his first official solo album since 2014’s S.I.D. With features from Iamsu!, Riff Raff, Snow Tha Product, Mistah F.A.B., The Jacka, Rayven Justice, D-Lo, B-Legit, and Jonn Hart, as well as production from The Mekanix, DJ Fresh, Junonnabeat, and more, Tears of Joy is bringing a reinvigorated J. Stalin back to the scene. The MC has built his name on reality-driven street raps, offering his unique perspective on the world he grew up in and beyond.

“I consider this to be my best body of work since Prenuptial Agreement because I just went in and did the best songs,” J. Stalin explained. “Usually my street music be my best music and this one has a lot of that.” With the album, he’s sharing his “Selling Crack” video and “Real Niggaz Only” single, which features Iamsu! and Riff Raff. “Selling Crack” shows Stalin delivering rhymes about his former hustling days, while “Real Niggaz Only” has the three MCs spitting fiery bars about only messing with the realest.

Earlier this month, J. Stalin announced Tears Of Joy while sharing his Damon Jamal-directed visual for “Bye Felicia,” which has him ducking his old flame Lil Debbie while laid up in bed with his new girl. Hailing from West Oakland, J. Stalin has long been one of the Bay Area’s most respected artists. “I like the Bay Area and the California rap scene overall because it’s getting back to gangsta music… I judge what’s hot by taking notice of what people are playing in their cars. The industry don’t really know shit. If you go to Oakland and listen to what everyone is riding around to in their car, it’s not shit that people are going crazy on the Internet or the radio. It’s some hood shit.”

Tears Of Joy tracklist:

1. What’s My Name
2. Selling Crack
3. We All In
4. Think U Ready ft. The Jacka
5. Jacka’s Prayer
6. Bye Felicia ft. L’Jay
7. Face Shots
8. Running ft. Iamsu & Rayven Justice
9. Thang Rang
10. Boppin’
11. Thang On Me
12. Going Steady
13. Now A Days
14. Can’t Tell Me Nothing ft. Garret The Singer
15. Instagram Gangstaz ft. L’Jay
16. Bad P*ssy Song ft. D-Lo
17. Never Change ft. B-Legit & 4Rax
18. Can’t F*ck Wit U ft. Lil June & Jonn Hart
19. Mama’s Bou ft. Mistah F.A.B.
20. F*ck Rite
21. I’m Sorry