Boldy James
{{short description|American rapper (born 1982)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Boldy James
| image = Boldy James.jpg
| caption = Jones in 2017
| landscape = yes
| birth_name = James Clay Jones III
| alias = {{hlist|Bo Jack|Mr. Ten08}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1982|08|09}}{{cite web |last=Pitre |first=Andy |url=http://www.a3cfestival.com/artist-bio/boldy-james |title=Boldy James | A3C Hip Hop Festival |website=a3cfestival.com |date=2012-06-04 |access-date=2013-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014085746/http://www.a3cfestival.com/artist-bio/boldy-james |archive-date=2012-10-14 }}
| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| origin = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| genre =
{{hlist|Underground rap|hardcore hip hop|jazz rap|alternative hip hop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Griselda|Decon|Mass Appeal}}
| current_member_of = {{hlist|Boldy James & The Alchemist|Boldy Bad Man}}
| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature = Boldy James sig.svg
}}
}}
James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/the-break/2012/01/the-break-presents-boldy-james/ |title=The Break Presents: Boldy James - XXL |website=XXL |date=2012-01-13 |access-date=2013-11-15}} He is a member of the hip hop collective Griselda. Recognized for his deep voice and laid-back delivery of vivid stories, he often explores themes of drug trade and street life. After his debut album My 1st Chemistry Set (2013), James has since released a wide discography of both studio albums as well as mixtapes and EPs, often releasing multiple projects in a year.
His reunion with the Alchemist—who also produced his debut—on The Price of Tea in China (2020) saw him gain significant recognition, along with his jazz-infused collaboration album with Sterling Toles, Manger on McNichols, released that same year. He frequently collaborates with other members of the Griselda collective, and has worked with producers such as Conductor Williams, Jay Versace, Harry Fraud, Nicholas Craven, Real Bad Man and Futurewave, among others.
Early life
Jones was born on August 9, 1982, in Atlanta, to James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus.{{cite web|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/music/the-journey-of-detroit-rapper-boldy-james-29956668 |title=The journey of Detroit rapper Boldy James |website=Metro Times |date=2022-05-04 |access-date=2024-12-19 |archive-date=2024-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701213826/https://www.metrotimes.com/music/the-journey-of-detroit-rapper-boldy-james-29956668 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/who-is-boldy-james/growing-up |title=Growing Up in Detroit — Who Is Boldy James? |website=Complex |date=2013-10-25 |access-date=2013-11-15}} In 1983, Jones and Broadus returned to their original home of Detroit, with their son after Jones was wounded in the line of duty serving as a police officer. They resided on the Eastside of Detroit with Jones' grandmother. In 1989, Jones' parents separated and his mother sent him and his younger sister to live with their father on Detroit's westside on Stahelin Hell Block near McNichols Road and the Southfield Freeway. Jones' love for music came to the forefront at the age of 12, when he performed in a middle school talent show and began writing his first raps shortly after.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/who-is-boldy-james/not-going-to-school |title=On (Not) Going To School — Who Is Boldy James? |website=Complex |date=2013-10-25 |access-date=2013-11-15}} He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out after the ninth grade. He got the name "Boldy James" from his friend, James Osely III, whom people in the neighborhood called "Boldy". Jones said, "he didn't rap, he just sold cocaine. I liked the name because his name was James too". When his friend was murdered, he decided to carry on with the name, using it to rap.
Career
File:Boldy James performing.jpg
In 2009, Jones's first big break on the national scene came in the form of two features on The Cool Kids and Don Cannon's mixtape Merry Christmas, on the songs "BBQ Wings" and "Tires".{{cite web |url=http://www.datpiff.com/The-Cool-Kids-Merry-Christmas-EP-mixtape.86781.html |title=The Cool Kids - Merry Christmas EP Hosted by Don Cannon // Free Mixtape @ |website=DatPiff |date=2009-12-25 |access-date=2013-11-15 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221854/http://www.datpiff.com/The-Cool-Kids-Merry-Christmas-EP-mixtape.86781.html |url-status=dead }} That was followed up by his record "Gettin Flicked" appearing on The Cool Kids's 2010 mixtape Tacklebox.{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/news/2010/05/31/the-cool-kids-tacklebox-mixtape/ |title=The Cool Kids – Tacklebox (Mixtape) |website=nahright.com |date=2010-05-31 |access-date=2013-11-15 |archive-date=2013-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511221905/http://nahright.com/news/2010/05/31/the-cool-kids-tacklebox-mixtape/ |url-status=dead}} Also in 2010, he was featured on the Chip tha Ripper song "Fat Raps" remix alongside Big Sean, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy and Chuck Inglish.{{cite web|url=http://www.illroots.com/read/fatrapsremix |title=Chip Tha Ripper - Fat Raps [Remix] (Ft. Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Dom Kennedy, Boldy James & Asher Roth) |website=Illroots |date=2010-08-31 |access-date=2013-11-15}} On May 24, 2011, Jones released his solo debut mixtape Trappers Alley Pros and Cons.{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/news/2011/05/24/boldy-james-trappers-alley-mixtape/ |title=Boldy James – Trapper's Alley: Pro's (Mixtape) |website=nahright.com |date=2011-05-24 |access-date=2013-11-15 |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019220802/http://nahright.com/news/2011/05/24/boldy-james-trappers-alley-mixtape/ |url-status=dead}} The project went on to be named by Pitchfork as one of 2011's Most Overlooked Projects.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8743-you-can-find-this-on-the-internet-mixtapes-you-might-have-missed/ |title=Staff Lists: You Can Find This on the Internet: Overlooked Mixtapes | Features |website=Pitchfork |date=2011-12-19 |access-date=2013-11-15}} On February 27, 2012, he released his follow up mixtape, Consignment.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/02/27/download-boldy-james-consignment-favor-for-a-favor-the-redi-rock-mixtape/ |title=Download Boldy James' Consignment: Favor for a Favor, The Redi-Rock Mixtape |website=The Fader |date=2012-02-27 |access-date=2013-11-15}} On March 5, 2013, he released an EP titled Grand Quarters.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/grand-quarters-ep/id602499941 |title=iTunes - Music - Grand Quarters - EP by Boldy James |website=iTunes Store |date=2013-03-05 |access-date=2013-11-15 |archive-date=2013-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105175003/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/grand-quarters-ep/id602499941 |url-status=dead}} On October 15, 2013, he released his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, entirely produced by The Alchemist.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-1st-chemistry-set/1569901114 |title=My 1st Chemistry Set - Album by Boldy James - Apple Music |website=Apple Music |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2024-12-19 |archive-date=2024-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010055637/https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-1st-chemistry-set/1569901114 |url-status=live}} On May 22, 2014, it was announced that Jones, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn were the first signees to Nas's Mass Appeal Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/boldy-james-fashawn-nas-mass-appeal/ |title=Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records - XXL |date=May 22, 2014 |website=XXL |access-date=2016-03-15}} He left Mass Appeal in 2020 to sign with Westside Gunn's Griselda Records. With Griselda, he has released The Price of Tea in China, Manger on McNichols and Bo Jackson, among other albums.
Personal life
On January 9, 2023, Jones was involved in a car accident in Detroit, leaving him with a broken vertebrae, requiring intensive surgery.{{Cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |last2=Gee |first2=Andre |date=2023-01-14 |title=Boldy James Suffers Broken Vertebrae in Neck After 'Serious' Car Accident |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/boldy-james-broken-vertebrae-serious-car-accident-1234661501/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}
Jones is a cousin of American rapper Chuck Inglish{{Cite web |last=Davison |first=Kahn Santori |title=The journey of Detroit rapper Boldy James |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/music/the-journey-of-detroit-rapper-boldy-james-29956668 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Detroit Metro Times |language=en}} and is related to American rapper Snoop Dogg.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=2023-08-31 |title=Boldy James Told By Family That Snoop Dogg Is His Long Lost Relative |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/boldy-james-family-snoop-dogg-relative-1234786125/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Vibe |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=2023-08-31 |title=Boldy James Explains How He's Related To Snoop Dogg |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/707944-boldy-james-snoop-dogg-related-hip-hop-news |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Album details |
| scope="row" | My 1st Chemistry Set (with The Alchemist) |
|
|---|
| scope="row" | The Price of Tea in China (with The Alchemist)
| |
| scope="row" | Manger on McNichols (with Sterling Toles)
|
|
| scope="row" | The Versace Tape{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Paul a. |date=August 14, 2020 |title=Boldy James: The Versace Tape Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boldy-james-the-versace-tape/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=December 6, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126051303/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boldy-james-the-versace-tape/ |url-status=live}}
|
|
| scope="row" | Real Bad Boldy (with Real Bad Man)
|
|
| scope="row" | Bo Jackson (with The Alchemist)
|
|
| scope="row" | Super Tecmo Bo (with The Alchemist)
|
|
| scope="row" | Killing Nothing (with Real Bad Man)
|
|
| scope="row" | Fair Exchange No Robbery (with Nicholas Craven)
|
|
| scope="row" | Mr. Ten08 (with Futurewave)
|
|
| scope="row" | Be That as It May (with Cuns)
|
|
| scope="row" | Indiana Jones (with RichGains)
|
|
| scope="row" | Penalty of Leadership (with Nicholas Craven)
|
|
| scope="row" | Across the Tracks (with Conductor Williams)
|
|
| scope="row" | The Bricktionary (with Harry Fraud)
|
|
| scope="row" | Murder During Drug Traffic (with RichGains)
|
|
| scope="row" | Permanent Ink
|
|
| scope="row" | Token of Appreciation (with Chuck Strangers)
|
|
| scope="row" | Hommage (with Antt Beatz)
|
|
| scope="row" | Alphabet Highway (with V Don)
|
|
| scope="row" | Conversational Pieces (with Real Bad Man)
|
|
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | EP details |
| scope="row" | Grand Quarters
|
|
|---|
| scope="row" | The Art of Rock Climbing{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dj-butter-presents-art-rock/id1198507849 |title=DJ Butter Presents: The Art of Rock Climbing by Boldy James on Apple Music |website=iTunes Store |access-date=2017-02-06 |archive-date=2017-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206105354/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dj-butter-presents-art-rock/id1198507849 |url-status=dead}}
|
|
| scope="row" | Boldface (with The Alchemist)
|
|
| scope="row" | ADU (with Real Bad Man as Boldy Bad Man){{cite web |title=Real Bad Man on Instagram: "Next release - EP w/ @boldyjames No preorder. No digital. Physical copies only. Mark your calendars." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmE2ieQJUhW/ |website=Instagram |access-date=13 December 2022}}
|
|
| scope="row" | Prisoner of Circumstance (with ChanHays)
|
|
| scope="row" | 1LB (One Lucky Bastard) (with Your Boy Posca)
|
|
| scope="row" | Hidden in Plain Sight (with whothehelliscarlo)
|
|
| scope="row" | Magnolia Leflore (with Your Boy Posca)
|
|
=Mixtapes=
=Singles=
{{incomplete list|date=July 2025}}
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of guest appearances with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Artist(s) ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Fat Raps" (Remix)
| 2010 | King Chip, Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy | From Me to You: The Prelude to Gift Raps |
| scope="row" | "Roll Call"
| rowspan="4" | 2011 | The Cool Kids, Asher Roth, King Chip |
| scope="row" | "Criminal Enterprise"
| Chips, Dusty McFly, Keely | Couch Potato |
| scope="row" | "Stop the Show"
| Sir Michael Rocks, Payroll | Premier Politics |
| scope="row" | "Golden Midas"
| Asher Roth, Nico Segal, Greg Landfair Jr. | Pabst & Jazz |
| scope="row" | "Detroit Game"
| rowspan="4" | 2012 | J Dilla, Chuck Inglish | Rebirth of Detroit |
| "Girl (I Used To Know)"
|JMSN |Priscilla |
| scope="row" | "The Kosmos Pt. 2 - Power Glove" |
| scope="row" | "Soul Fry" (Remix) |
| scope="row" | "Paramount"
| rowspan="3" | 2013 | Phillie | Welcome to the Detroit Zoo |
| scope="row" | "Boat Races"
| TreeJay, DJ Clockwork, Larry Fisherman, Freddie Gibbs | Show Time |
| "Trying To Come Up" |
| "Light This Fa Me"
|2016 |Chuck Inglish, Buddy |
| "On The Set"
|2017 |The Cool Kids, Smoke DZA |Special Edition Grandmaster Deluxe |
| "It's Possible"
| rowspan="2" |2019 |Hitler Wears Hermes 7 |
| "Ocean Prime"
|The Alchemist |Yacht Rock 2 |
| scope="row" | "Friday Night Cypher"
| rowspan="5" | 2020 | Big Sean, Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce da 5'9", Eminem |
| "Get Money"
|Dej Loaf, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine |Sell Sole II |
| "Claiborne Kick"
|Westside Gunn |
| "Buffs vs. Wires"
|Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher |Flygod Is An Awesome God 2 |
| "All Praises"
|Westside Gunn, Jadakiss |
| "Voices"
| rowspan="6" |2021 |Heem B$F, Chase Fetti |Griselda & BSF: Conflicted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |
| scope="row" | "TV Dinners"
| The Alchemist, Sideshow |
| "Bird Box"
|Rx Papi |100 Miles & Walk'in |
| "All Of That Said" |
| scope="row" | "Westheimer"
| Westside Gunn, Stove God Cooks, Sauce Walka | rowspan="2" | Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf |
| scope="row" | "716 Mile"
| Westside Gunn |
| scope="row" | "No Yeast"
| rowspan="9" | 2022 | Curren$y & The Alchemist |
| "Yzerman"
|Craven N3 |
| "Weekends in the Perry's"
|Benny The Butcher |
| scope="row" | "Sauvage"
| Billy Woods, Gabe 'Nandez |
| "December Coming"
|Domo Genesis & Evidence |Intros, Outros & Interludes |
| "Looking For Water"
|Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man |Real Bad Flights |
| "Trillion Cuts"
|Roc Marciano & The Alchemist |
| scope="row" | “4Evastackin"
| Marcel Allen | Ebony Goddess |
| "Serving" |
| "Art Talk"
| rowspan="8" |2023 |Larry June & The Alchemist |
| "Red Dolphin"
|The PostLude |
| "Stunna"
|Rome Streetz, Double Dee |Noise Kandy 5 |
| "Trouble Man"
|The Alchemist, T.F. |Flying High EP |
| "It's On"
| rowspan="3" |DJ Muggs | rowspan="3" |Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley |
| "Where We At" |
| "We Coming for the Safe" |
| "Jalen Rose"
|Westside Gunn |
| "Live from the Roxy"
| rowspan="8" |2024 |Ransom & Harry Fraud |Lavish Misery |
| "No Fighting"
|Elcamino & Real Bad Man |The Game is the Game |
| "Just Doing Art"
|Gangrene, The Alchemist & Oh No |Heads I Win, Tails You Lose |
| "Godfather, Pt. 2"
|Big Hit, Hit-Boy, & The Alchemist |Black & Whites |
| "Big Piranhas"
|Sewaside III |
| "Classic"
|2 Eleven & Python P, Jay Worthy |Proof Of Concept |
| "Still Praying"
|Westside Gunn, DJ Drama, Conway The Machine, Stove God Cooks, Benny The Butcher |
| "mikealstott"
|Blvck Svm |michelinman |
| "Duffel Bag Hottie's Revenge"
|2025 |Benny The Butcher |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Boldy James}}
- {{Discogs artist|Boldy James}}
{{Boldy James}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Boldy}}
Category:21st-century African-American male rappers
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American male musicians