Video: J. Stalin – “Face Shot”

Debuted by East Bay Express, the Bay Area Legend Releases Hard-Hitting Visual From Tears of Joy Project Set to Release on October 30th

10.21.2015

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 Video:

J. Stalin isn’t backing down- today he’s releasing a hard-hitting visual for “Face Shots,” which is off his forthcoming album, Tears Of Joy, slated to release on October 30th. In “Face Shots,” which premiered via East Bay Express, the MC cements his status as a Bay Area legend with his prolific rhymes and crew by his side. With features from Iamsu!, Riff Raff, Snow Tha Product, Mistah F.A.B., The Jacka, Rayven Justice, D-Lo, B-Legit, and Jonn Hart, Tears of Joy is bringing a reinvigorated J. Stalin back to the scene.

Stalin explained to East Bay Express that he wrote the lyrics after his friend survived a gunshot to the face. “I haven’t done a song like this in a long time, but where we’re at in Oakland, we need it,” he explained. “The rest of the world needs to know there’s a lot of shit going on in Oakland. How are we gonna go overseas and fight wars if we can’t fix our cities?”

Earlier this month, J. Stalin announced the album 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. Tears of Joy will follow SID: Shining in Darkness, adding to his collection of over a dozen mixtapes he’s released over the past 8 years. In a review of the album, XXL said “J. Stalin pushes the envelope by vividly reiterating his Mob Bay Area persona and turmoil of his harsh upbringing,” adding, “Shining In Darkness is easily considered one of J. Stalin’s most cultivating yet.” Hailing from West Oakland, J. Stalin has long been one of the Bay Area’s most respected artists. In 2007, he signed to Zoo Entertainment Production Company run by artist Mekanix. He is also the Owner of Livewire Records and the President of Town Thizzness ENT, which is a sub-division of the late Mac Dre‘s Thizz ENT. Stay tuned for Tears Of Joy, which releases October 30th, 2015.

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