3.30.2023
Video: J. Stalin – “Don’t Front Pt. 2” ft. Big Breaux
The Bay Area OG Still Has No Time to Play Around 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:
A certified legend of the Bay Area rap scene, J. Stalin built his legacy with a no-nonsense approach to his art. Getting straight to business as usual, Stalin returns to double down on a classic with “Don’t Front Pt. 2,” from his recent project, Prenuptial Agreement 2. Featuring a soaring hook from Baton Rouge’s Big Breaux, the sequel to Stalin’s 2010 mob music players’ anthem, “Don’t Front,” from the original Prenuptial Agreement might slow things down with it’s R&B-sampling instrumental, but Stalin’s desire for reticence in his romantic affairs is unchanged: “I want the pick of the litter, I don’t want none of them b*****s/The cute one that don’t want me that keep turning down them n****s.”
The Thakur Media-directed video for “Don’t Front Pt. 2” was shot at the same white chapel featured on the album’s cover. While Stalin’s snow-white Jaguar coupe matches the scenery, his attire matches the black veil and lingerie of his leather-clad lover in the clip. Though the two embrace like a slow dance while Big Breaux sings the track’s seductive hook, Stalin separates like a clean break whenever it’s time to deliver his verses, keeping his priorities intact to handle business.
“Don’t Front Pt. 2” 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 “Don’t Front Pt. 2”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW9KgRq4EAI
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:
- The Boss
- Who U Talkin 2 (ft. June)
- Bricks in the City (ft. Jackboy)
- World On My Shoulders
- A Lot of Money (ft. 22nd Jim)
- Everywhere I Go
- Basic (ft. Lyjah)
- Don’t Front Pt. 2 (ft. Big Breaux)
- To Do List (ft. June Poole)
- Issues (ft. Stunnaman02 & Lyjah)
- S. 580 (ft. Lyjah)
- Tupac (ft. EBK Young Joc)
- Count On 1 Hand (ft. Jane Handcock)
- 3 Minutes (ft. Philthy Rich)
- Backwoods (ft. Kevin Allen)
- Grind For It (ft. 4rAx of The Mekanix & Acito)
- The One
Please contact Michelle or Annjie for more info.
Links:
official site | twitter | facebook | instagram
“Don’t Front Pt. 2”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW9KgRq4EAI
“Issues”: https://youtu.be/bmvLCncPyBA
“Count On 1 Hand” ft. Jane Handcock: https://youtu.be/PdsSyu4eJEA
“The Boss”: https://youtu.be/moUSCyhYQlk
“World On My Shoulders”: https://youtu.be/ZBasX_uefh4
“Basic” ft. Lyjah: https://youtu.be/fYc_4Ztm29Y
“Backwoods” ft. Kevin Allen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgsBNAnyNRo
“Who U Talkin 2” ft. June: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAJeq4BPiQE
“To Do List” ft. June Poole: https://youtu.be/1igzgSeXLsA
Prenuptial Agreement 2: https://music.empi.re/prenuptialagreement2
“S580”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGczu0tw1OM