The West has something to say, particularly the New West. Today two of the most promising young artists come together with Compton AV guesting on J.Stalin‘s new video. “Ain’t No Thang” features the two emcees breaking down their personal day to day ethos. In a situation that many would find hopeless, confronted with violence on a daily basis & the dregs of systemic oppression, the pair of artists maintain an audacious approach. Their impudent refusal to fold in the face of such odds creates a dichotomy that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The visual and their lyrics are bright and hopeful while confronting a situation where the best options are still fraught with peril. The duo proudly issues proclamations of defiance, while thriving in a situation 99% of the population would find hopeless.

Fresh off the release of his On Behalf of the Streets 2 album, West Oakland game-spitter J. Stalin has spent 2016 advancing his career in leaps and bounds. The sequel to 2006’s On Behalf of the Streets, OBOTS2 has J. Stalin taking the Bay’s signature mob and hyphy sounds to tell gritty hood tales. The project features appearances from IAMSU!, K Camp, Nef The Pharaoh, Lil Bood, G-Eazy, Philthy Rich, Slim 400, Rayven Justice, Celly Ru, 4Rax of the Mekanix, Young Doe, G-Stack, Erk Da Jerk and a posthumous appearance from The Jacka.