We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.
Preferring a literate style over simple hooks or radio-friendly fodder, Detroit rapper Boldy James delivers sharply focused rhymes that describe drug deals in acute detail.
Some of his best-received work, including 2013's My 1st Chemistry Set and 2020's The Price of Tea in China, has been produced by the Alchemist, whose minimalist production befits Boldy's cold, unflinching narratives.
Born in Atlanta but raised in Detroit, where his parents were originally from, James Clay Jones III established Boldy James as his stage name in tribute to his friend Boldy, who was murdered. The cousin of rapper/producer and Cool Kids member Chuck Inglish, Boldy made appearances on Cool Kids mixtapes before releasing his first tape, Trapper's Alley: Pros and Cons, in 2011. Consignment: Favor for a Favor, the Redi-Rock Mixtape followed in 2012, and the EP Grand Quarters preceded My 1st Chemistry Set, Boldy's Alchemist-produced studio debut, issued by Decon in 2013.
Boldy became one of the first signees to Nas' Mass Appeal Records in 2014. His output for the label included the 2015 mixtape Trapper's Alley 2: Risk vs. Reward, 2017 EP The Art of Rock Climbing, and 2017 mixtape House of Blues. He went independent with 2018's Live at the Roxy (Tabs & Caps), then linked back up with the Alchemist for 2019's Boldface EP and 2020's full-length The Price of Tea in China. Soon after the album was released, Buffalo-based Griselda Records announced that they had signed Boldy. Following Manger on McNichols, a jazzy collaboration with producer Sterling Toles, Boldy released his Griselda debut (and third album of 2020), The Versace Tape. ~ Paul Simpson & David Jeffries, Rovi