Boldy James

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Boldy James
Birth nameJames Clay Jones III
Born (1982-08-09) August 9, 1982 (age 39)[1]
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2009–present
Labels
Associated acts

James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan.[2] A member of the Griselda collective, his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, was released on October 15, 2013.

Early life[]

Boldy James was born James Clay Jones III on August 9, 1982, in Atlanta, Georgia to James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus.[3] In 1983, Jones and Broadus returned to their original home of Detroit, Michigan with their son after Jones was wounded in the line of duty serving as a police officer.[3] They resided on the Eastside of Detroit with James' grandmother.[3] In 1989, James' 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.[3] James' 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.[4] He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out after the ninth grade.[4] He got the name Boldy James from his friend from his block, James Osely III, who people in the neighborhood called Boldy.[4] Boldy 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.[4]

Biography[]

In 2009, Boldy James'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".[5] That was followed up by his record "Gettin Flicked" appearing on The Cool Kids's 2010 mixtape Tacklebox.[6] 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.[7] Boldy James and Cool Kid member/producer Chuck Inglish are cousins.[6] On May 24, 2011, Boldy James released his solo debut mixtape Trappers Alley Pros and Cons.[8] The project went on to be named by Pitchfork as one of 2011s Most Overlooked Projects.[9] On February 27, 2012, he released his follow up mixtape, Consignment.[10] On March 5, 2013, he released an EP titled Grand Quarters.[11] On October 15, 2013, he released his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set entirely produced by The Alchemist.[12] On May 22, 2014, it was announced that Boldy James, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn were the first signees to Nas's Mass Appeal Records.[13]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
My 1st Chemistry Set[12]
(with The Alchemist)
  • Released: October 15, 2013
  • Label: Decon, Mass Appeal Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
The Price of Tea in China (with The Alchemist)
  • Released: February 7, 2020
  • Label: ALC
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
Real Bad Boldy (with Real Bad Men)
  • Released: December 11, 2020
  • Label: Real Bad Man
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
Bo Jackson (with The Alchemist)
  • Released: August 13, 2021
  • Label: ALC
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Extended plays[]

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
Grand Quarters[11]
The Art of Rock Climbing[14]
  • Released: January 27, 2017
  • Label: Mass Appeal
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
Boldface (with The Alchemist)
  • Released: December 20, 2019
  • Label: ALC
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Mixtapes[]

List of mixtapes, with year released
Title Album details
Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons[15]
  • Released: May 24, 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape[16]
  • Released: February 27, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Trappers Alley 2[17]
  • Released: February 27, 2015
  • Label: Mass Appeal
  • Formats: Digital download
House of Blues
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: Mass Appeal
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
Live at the Roxy (Caps & Tabs)[12]
(with M. Stacks)
  • Released: November 24, 2018
  • Label: Connected Everywhere, Concreatures 227
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Latr (Tabs & Caps)
  • Released: December 8, 2018
  • Label: Mass Appeal
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
Manger on McNichols
  • Released: July 22, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl
The Versace Tape
  • Released: August 14, 2020
  • Label: Griselda
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Singles[]

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"I Sold Dope All My Life"[18] 2012 Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons
"Grittin"[19]
(featuring Peechie Green and Fat Ray) 		N/A
"For the Birds"[20] 2013

As featured artist[]

List of singles as featured performer, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Take Whats Ours"[21]
(Logic featuring Boldy James and Aaron Williams) 		2012 N/A

Guest appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Fat Raps" (Remix) 2010 King Chip, Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy From Me to You: The Prelude to Gift Raps
"Roll Call" 2011 The Cool Kids, Asher Roth, King Chip When Fish Ride Bicycles
"Criminal Enterprise" Chips, Dusty McFly, Keely Couch Potato
"Stop the Show" Sir Michael Rocks, Payroll Premier Politics
"Golden Midas" Asher Roth, Nico Segal, Greg Landfair Jr. Pabst & Jazz
"Detroit Game" 2012 J Dilla, Chuck Inglish Rebirth of Detroit
"The Kosmos Pt. 2 - Power Glove" The Alchemist Russian Roulette
"Soul Fry" (Remix) Deniro Farrar, Shady Blaze Kill or Be Killed
"Paramount" 2013 Phillie Welcome to the Detroit Zoo
"Boat Races" TreeJay, DJ Clockwork, Larry Fisherman, Freddie Gibbs Show Time
"Friday Night Cypher" 2020 Big Sean, Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce da 5'9", Eminem Detroit 2
"TV Dinners" 2021 The Alchemist, Sideshow This Thing of Ours

References[]

  1. ^ Pitre, Andy (June 4, 2012). "Boldy James | A3C Hip Hop Festival". A3cfestival.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  2. ^ "The Break Presents: Boldy James - XXL". Xxlmag.com. January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Growing Up in Detroit — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. October 25, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "On (Not) Going To School — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. October 25, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  5. ^ "The Cool Kids - Merry Christmas EP Hosted by Don Cannon // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. December 25, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Cool Kids – Tacklebox (Mixtape)". Nah Right. May 31, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  7. ^ "Chip Tha Ripper - Fat Raps [Remix] (Ft. Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Dom Kennedy, Boldy James & Asher Roth)". Illroots. August 31, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "Boldy James – Trapper's Alley: Pro's (Mixtape)". Nah Right. May 24, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "Staff Lists: You Can Find This on the Internet: Overlooked Mixtapes | Features". Pitchfork. December 19, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  10. ^ "Download Boldy James' Consignment: Favor for a Favor, The Redi-Rock Mixtape". The Fader. February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "iTunes - Music - Grand Quarters - EP by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. March 5, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c "iTunes - Music - My 1st Chemistry Set by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  13. ^ "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  14. ^ "DJ Butter Presents: The Art of Rock Climbing by Boldy James on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  15. ^ "Boldy James - Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  16. ^ "Boldy James - Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  17. ^ "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records". XXL. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  18. ^ "iTunes - Music - I Sold Dope All My Life - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  19. ^ "iTunes - Music - Grittin (feat. Peechie Green & Fat Ray) - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. December 18, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  20. ^ "iTunes - Music - For the Birds - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. February 5, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  21. ^ "iTunes - Music - Take Whats Ours (feat. Boldy James & Aaron Williams) - Single by Logic". Itunes.apple.com. April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
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