3.16.2023

Video: J Stalin – “Issues” ft. Stunnaman02 & Lyjah

The Bay Area Boss Gets Up to No Good with Stunnaman02 and Lyjah in Latest Video from Prenuptial Agreement 2

Critical Praise:

“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.” – Pitchfork

“One of Oakland’s illest MCs” – XXL

“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

“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:

Solidifying his Bay Area OG status with a tireless hustle, J. Stalin works hard and parties even harder. Returning with a playful reminder that mixing business and pleasure is a dangerous game, Stalin shares the new video for “Issues.” Featuring San Francisco’s Stunnaman02 and Fresno native Lyjah, who is signed to Stalin’s Livewire Records, the highlight track from Stalin’s recent Prenuptial Agreement 2 finds the West Oakland artist basking in the life of luxury his hard work has afforded: “I’m so fly, I might not even land now/Ran them bands up, b****, now I’m the man now.”

The video for “Issues” opens with Stalin and Lyjah pulling up to a mansion, posing as pool cleaners as the owner guides them to the backyard before leaving the house while they work. Without a second to waste, the pair bring in a whole squad of swimsuit-clad partygoers, including Stunnaman02, for an impromptu pool party. The summertime vibes are plentiful and the fun in the sun continues until the owner returns, furious at Stalin, who’s having too good of a time to give a care.

“Issues” is the latest video from Stalin’s recent album Prenuptial Agreement 2, and it follows videos for album highlights like “The Boss,” “Basic,” “To Do List,” and “Backwoods.” The sequel to the 2010 breakout project that made him a regional star, Prenuptial Agreement 2 is a showcase for Stalin’s raspy vocals, brutally honest lyrics, and peerless ability to navigate mob instrumentals. Like the Pitchfork-acclaimed original, which brought guest spots from the likes of E-40 and The Jacka, Prenuptial Agreement brings an eclectic cast of characters, from fellow Oaklanders like Philthy Rich, 22nd Jim, and Jane Handcock standing up for the 357, and street heroes from other cities, like Florida’s Jackboy and Stockton’s EBK Young Joc, who sound right at home.

J. Stalin is celebrating the success of Prenuptial Agreement 2 with the Livewire Reunion Tour, hitting cities across the West Coast. The tour reunites the original Livewire Records crew, including Bay Area royalty Philthy Rich and Lil Blood. The Livewire Reunion Tour hits Club Insomnia in Oakland on May 19th and May 20th.

Loyal to the grind and his family, J. Stalin is building a legacy for himself and the Oakland scene he hails from. With Prenuptial Agreement 2, the proudly independent artist cements his rightful place in Bay Area history. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Watch “Issues”: https://youtu.be/bmvLCncPyBA

Stream Prenuptial Agreement 2: https://music.empi.re/prenuptialagreement2

Buy tickets HERE for the Livewire Reunion Tour, featuring J Stalin, Philthy Rich, and Lil Blood

Prenuptial Agreement 2 tracklist: