The Genius Rapper You've Never Heard Of: Story of Boldy James

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00:00 Intro
00:50 Early life/Early career
05:09 Working with Alchemist
06:10 Boldy James Discography
26:16 Conclusion
James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. A member of the Griselda collective, his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, was released on October 15, 2013.
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 2011's 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]
#volksgeist #boldyjames #thealchemist
Background beats licensed from: beatsbynar.com

[@Volksgeist]

🔥 Cop a Volksgeist shirt! Free shipping in US! volksgeist.store 🔥

[@marcusmoore7911]

Do one on Stove God Cooks next, he's an extremely underrated Griselda artist also (My personal favorite), and we need to push Westside Gunn to drop his sophomore album ASAP.

[@marcusmoore7911]

And you have a new sub for this upload.

[@dkscott331]

EPMD is so Criminally underrated that you need to take a 2nd listen. He weaves the story of the break up of EPMD and his own street cinema. His style of rap is in the lane of MF DOOM in terms of how he connects his references. 💯🫡

[@jacksonr1259]

dude this is literally one of the most deserved spotlights ever

[@beenfrank]

Fax

[@marcusmoore7911]

One of them, if he does Stove God I'm buying all of his merch💯

[@CANASTA_GoldWAV]

I wanted to like this, but then the count would change from 227 to 228.

[@beenfrank]

@@CANASTA_GoldWAV# 227 💯 blockworks all day what else ??

[@RIODAYUNGOGTYPEBEATS]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@bounca99]

Fair Exchange No Robbery is a masterpiece

[@AboutMyIssue01]

WHERE WE AT WIT IT?

[@FOUL_TROUBLE]

that album is crazy.

[@AboutMyIssue01]

@@FOUL_TROUBLE no skips

[@TheOverpowered1]

Fax

[@TheOverpowered1]

Fax

[@mugenbasquiat]

Boldy James and The Alchemist are a perfect duo. The first song I heard by him was Surf and Turf when it dropped. Been a fan since.

[@BlackRepublicanTV]

That whole album still go crazy 💿

[@bigbillmusic]

Classic. Same as super techno bo. I remember playing speed demon freestyle for days straight

[@MidwestNemo]

@@BlackRepublicanTVwhole fuckin album

[@YoHazzan81]

For a long time I only wanted to listen to Boldy on Alc beats. But Craven helped change that. And Mr Ten08 w Futurewave is a damned near masterpiece tho that term is soooo played out

[@7seaz-wh3tg]

Surf & Turf gotta be his Magnum Opus

[@SeanKoaKid]

Thank you for putting the spotlight on Boldy here. Saw him and Al live a year ago and he was incredible. An insane talent of an MC for sure

[@wardpixels]

I saw them 20 days ago!

[@DonCMo414]

Boldy is a great live rapper that’s how I knew he was the truth

[@JamahlEvans]

YEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

[@dkscott331]

I just wanna see him do Nu Wave Live !! 💯

[@lofi5992]

that nba leather tour was insane

[@konrTF]

Boldy is incredible!

[@youcher]

1

[@marcusmoore7911]

Agreed

[@musaka2022]

He's dark and gritty

[@gfckid32]

Glad he’s finally getting his flowers. His ability to paint pictures is amazing. Grey October is so calm yet menacing one of my favorite songs by him.

[@wombwomp2983]

Yes because this KZbin nobody finally validates Boldy's music right? Dudes just a suck up for good ratings like your comment.

[@musaka2022]

The flowers he gets are dark and gritty

[@ByDobson]

Sterling Toles was producing Manger for 10+ years. He took Boldy vocals from 2009 and built instrumentals around them for over a decade. One of my favourite albums ever made.

[@BlessedPen]

Even went to like a Buddhist temple and borrowed an ancient instrument and played it in one of the beats lol

[@coltongates7397]

@@BlessedPenur being deadass? Where’d you find this info?

[@barbaryyaw2724]

Dammm that’s fucking insane

[@rianeagan2693]

@@coltongates7397theres a doc about making of that album on KZbin.. might be in there but I’m not sure

[@beenfrank]

Sterling is the homie and multi talented brother, his art is dope asf 🎨 Salutes

[@jcg32002]

Boldy is in his own lane like Roc

[@gabrielberthiaume6302]

Boldy James changed my perspective on the rap game, his collaborations with Nicholas Craven are incredibly good

[@Phearsum]

That whole Fair Exchange album is a masterpiece. I couldn't get over how good it was when I first heard it.

[@TjWarren300]

When you really sit and pay attention to Boldys lyrics its actually insane. Real art

[@True_Slime]

Snapple fact

[@JBurroughsMusic]

The Alchemist beats are legendary and paired with Boldy, the music they create together, is a magic in itself.

[@trayjacksontigers]

Steady like train and sharp like a razor

[@monsieurzing]

Went to his show last week in cologne (08/15/23) and boy did he not disappoint🔥

[@malteschuster6999]

Eyyyy I was at that show!!! Him and Alchemist killed it!

[@monsieurzing]

​@@malteschuster6999absolutely🔥

[@kartikkaushik9811]

Boldy probably my favorite artist right now. Incredible production too. Him teaming up with Alc is probably one of the best group-ups in all of modern hip hop

[@thaddeusth2200]

Boldy def deserves this light. But his career started much earlier then buddy gets into. When he was collabing with the cool kids. His first solo album was the trappers alley. Theirs two versions. Initially it came out as 28 songs. Now it’s hard to find the short version. Incredible album. It’s what first got me into Detroit rappers in the first place. Came out 2010-11 I believe. Anywaysss

[@beenfrank]

First heard the brodi Boldy back in the day with my bro King Dave and DJ Butter 🙌🏾 Salutes to the fam 💯 🫡🫡🫡 my bro Rog did the album cover for First Chemistry Set, Salutes to the homies real talk #Concreatures and that "Indiana Jones" album is classic asf 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾👑

[@ConCreatureNickBruno]

No, His first album was King James Version when he first went to Chicago to link with Chuck Inglish..

[@shamanic_nostalgia]

Yeah bro that's what I remember him from, The Cool Kids. I was so hype on them from like 08-2011. I think he was on Big Sean's Fat Raps remix too

[@DavidDrakeJ]

Trappers alley is as good / better than his projects from the last few years. New jacks self justifying their late pass by downing earlier work

[@thaddeusth2200]

@@DavidDrakeJ valid. Concrete Connie still gives chills to this day

[@calebscalzo]

My 1st Chemistry Set is a ten year old album but I can still go back and listen to it and it’s fresh every time. Can’t say that about too many albums in any genre

[@pins7541]

such a fire album fr

[@elliottjones8354]

House of Blues was a dope trap album too with Boldly actually doing voice inflections. FN love it

[@masonshattuck6217]

I love Boldy James, such an underrated lyricist

[@kxam2]

I love Boldy! Glad to see a creator like you making videos about him and exposing him to more people.

[@superorbs]

was just talking to my friend about Super Tecmo Bo yesterday. love this dude. mad underrated.

[@QuinnBJones]

Boldy James is definitely one of my favorite artists and he creates from a pure form of seeing angles that most others would have problems even putting in to words. The way he skates on beats is smooth as butter. Boldy James 🙏🏾🔥🙏🏾🔥

[@buffaloandback]

This is an immaculate reflection on this man’s work. Your choice of words, your research, & your passion are all excellent. I hope someday that my work merits a video. Either way, you’ve got a new fan, & I will be copping Kerch. Good on you for matching your videos quality 👊

[@Volksgeist]

Thank you for the recognition. 🙏✌🏻

[@mical2great]

Bolby, Roc Marc,and RANSOM i are a reason why i hate when people say they "hate" new rappers but dont give the old heads who still doin in for decades the respect they deserve. Ransom mixtape series with nicolas Craven is maybe the best rap series since the Carters 1-5 or pilot talk 1-3 to me

[@cultclassics587]

Thank you for giving this man his roses. Earl, Bold, Mach, WSG, and Freddie are the best dropping right now

[@pins7541]

roc marci???

[@cultclassics587]

@@pins7541 the elephant man’s bones is amazing but that’s one album to the others consistently dropping a lot of material in a short span. Still a goat ever since he was in Flip Mo and every feature he’s got is untouchable

[@cultclassics587]

I do gotta check out the new jay worthy collab though

[@benc4968]

I’m so glad this video exists. His discography is a legit goldmine. The way he writes and raps is just legendary.

[@Mithilan01]

Glad you covered Boldy. He caught my eyes in 2020 with Price of Tea in China and I've been a huge fan ever since. It's so easy to listen to his stuff as well, any time I don't know what I'm in the mood for, I just play Boldy.

[@hellucination9905]

I would call his sound 'urban nihilism'. His music is self-therapy. You hear his pain and suffering through his voice and delivery; there is a dark cold sadness in all of his tracks.

[@barney1925]

found boldy over a year ago, and made me find not only a part of myself but changed my views in the world and streets, he has been my favorite rapper since i first heard him in the versace tape and loved every single album he’s dropped, he’s the van goh of rap

[@soulwafurs]

so glad bros finally getting the recognition he deserves

[@obody-sl9np]

boldy and alchemist is an impeccable duo

[@Sssteelo]

Been listening to Boldy for almost 4 years. Been waiting for him to get the recognition he deserves.

[@jacobw7360]

If you like Boldy, you should take a listen to billy woods. He also has great story telling with very abstract and unique aesthetics being painted by his words.

[@SupremeUnit]

Legit my two favourites right now, both been on a crazy run the last few years

[@LiRa-yn3zl]

I'm interested on getting recommendations on that type stuff! 🙏 Thanks in advance

[@ilchymis4000]

Couldn't agree more. Both are my two favorite rappers in recent memory.

[@TheOverpowered1]

Love his song with Earl , I’m gonna dive in now

[@ilchymis4000]

@@TheOverpowered1 his latest album Maps is a great place to start! Hiding Places is also considered his most popular one by the fans, but aethiopes has a boldy Feature, haha.

[@CrispyChrisss]

Boldy is my favorite out of the "coke" rap bunch. Dude is emaculate

[@OCmenacemafia]

I said the same till the last 5 projects. He is a great artists overalls

[@gkay8889]

@@OCmenacemafiathe last 5 projects are amazing

[@_quarterroy2325]

I stand on his verse on Fat Raps Remix being the greatest coke verse even. Nigga broke the brick down in the verse 😭

[@Fatmanhect]

Boldy has been one of my favorite rappers for some time. Glad you shined light on an amazing artist.

[@gxldengxd7938]

I’m happy to see Volks giving one of my favourite hometown rappers his flowers 🙏🏽

[@Kev_-qm1je]

Boldy is like a Hood Poet! His ability to paint a picture wit his words is immaculate! 227 Where we wit it Mafia What else

[@Whodnl]

Boldy does need some more love he makes amazing music. And his beats are 🤌🏻 (I swear you never miss)

[@Volksgeist]

[@elgigante7081]

Boldy and Mach-Hommy have been two of my fav artists in hip hop atm. Good to see boldy get some love, and even better to maybe see a video on Mach 👀?

[@didintlekodisang1836]

Incredible video! It’s crazy cause I was just telling someone how “trouble man” from Alchemists new album sounds like such a haunting song, the beat sounds like it would be played in a scene where something bad is about to happen in the movie, and boldys verse matches that beat so well, so violent, so vivid, a proper movie!!

[@xteihn]

thats the song that pmo

[@naptownloony]

one thing to stream his music, but in person; it’s another universe bro. got goosebumps from every song 🔥🔥🔥he’s something else

[@HuleeSantanaOfficial]

A minute in I could already feel how incredible this content is. Huge Boldy fan - great video.

[@ozymandias___868]

Manger on mcnichols is very dear to me and so is boldy.

[@blodia0fficial]

I'd admit, the visuals for this video will always draw me back into it. I have no idea how it's done, though studying it makes it more immersive. Great editing!

[@tootnboobie]

I grew up in Toledo, OH which is about 35/40 mins south of Detroit & how you briefly explained the environment is spot on. Im 34 & it was like that even when I was a kid

[@WhatUpDoePhresh]

Come on bro. He did not describe our environment spot on. Teledo 2 hours from Detroit. Maybe 35-40 minutes to get to the border of Michigan. He said the whole eastside looks abandoned. That's a very false statement. I grew up on the east. 8mile to be exact. It's far from abandoned looking. It is some bad spots. No where near all the way through.

[@hectorponce823]

I didn’t know who Boldy James was before I went to go see Action Bronson last year at the Riviera theatre in Chicago. I remember talking to someone in line and he said that James wouldn’t disappoint, surely enough he was right, and I’ve been a fan of Boldy after that night.

[@Kev_-qm1je]

Boldy’s verse on “It’s Possible “ off of HWH7 is different!!!

[@joniboni5029]

Boldy to me is like a less polished Freddy Gibbs in terms of being able to rap very versatibly over different great production. but hes got way better storytelling, less filler lines, crazy high & high quality output overall

[@FlavurbyK]

This🔥

[@mortezz1268]

Their deliveries are also very different, Boldy has a more laid-back flow while Freddie is more energetic

[@hoangbangkhuang1nonly]

Boldy is a better lyricist but when it comes to rapping ability Freddie wipes, his flow is more versatile and Gibbs breath control is top notch

[@crispythablack5837]

​@@hoangbangkhuang1nonly That part!

[@noneofyourbusiness1114]

He's also on the same career path as Gibbs

[@soloeskimo6721]

The work Boldy James put in is always fire

[@jchris333]

Boldy has been my favorite rapper since I heard him for the first time. He doesn’t miss

[@DHix319]

Bo Jackson was an instant classic to me when I heard it 2 years ago. Fell in love with it immediately. Uncle Al was meant to team up with an artist as amazig as Boldy James. Hope more people get hip to his genius.

[@GromoOfficial]

Boldy is one of the best rappers I’ve seen live! I saw him in 2021 at SOBs front row, not too crowded, but full of energy when he came on. I was totally blown away by his control on the mic and effortlessly he flowed. I saw him a couple months later with alchemist at terminal 5 and it was incredible to see how much he leveled up in just a few months. Boldy is on a whole other level. Much respect!

[@nickytru]

Bro…….wow. First time ever watching any of your work. I been a HUGE Boldy fan the last couple years. Dude is incredible and ridiculously underrated. STILL! Surf N Turf knocked me on my ass and I played it constantly. Anybody I knew that was even remotely into the same music, was told to start listening to Boldy James if they hadn’t already. This dude had something very different going on. Saw this on my feed and was stoked to check it out. Outstanding job man for real. I can’t wait to not only go back and dive into some of these earlier albums I admittedly hadn’t even listened to. But I’m also excited to check out some more of your videos. Thank you man. Much love and respect 🤙🏼

[@mr.4leafclova866]

BOLDY'S BO JACKSON ALBUM IS AMAZING... NO SKIP TRACKS. 🔥 HE'S SOOO UNDERRATED THAT HIS MUSIC IS LIKE ART WORK.

[@100drips]

I love this guy. A friend brought me the 1st chemistry set CD back in 2013, and since then, he is one of my favorite rappers

[@vladav313]

Ey, this was GREAT, you gave us an amazing review of his catalogue. Thank you.

[@Gladioul]

boldy so goated, saw him and alc in ldn last week, amazing

[@yOGlo]

Dam that's dope asf u seent them live

[@freeformexpression1575]

I really think you would enjoy Ka based off what you like from boldly. Ka is an amazing lyricist who also doesn’t seem to glorify his past. He seems more troubled by it in his lyrics. Very dark and he produces his own albums

[@dually81]

Yeah Ka paints pictures as well... also add Billy Woods and Roc Marci to that list.

[@TheScyy]

Yup, ka is awesome. I first heard him on the gza album paper airplanes.

[@besusshuttlesworth6166]

Ka, Boldy & Ransom are all currently on the craziest artistic album runs EVER in hip hop

[@Trillyella]

Having songs myself wit Boldy that date back as far as 2013, Fair Exchange Is Boldy at his peak as an artist. Never have I ever heard a producer make a beat that featured a boat radar on Monterey Jack or Lyrical ability he displays on Town & Country! Although I enjoy him and Alchemist the most, Him and Nick Craven just can’t miss 🔥💯

[@ramseymccall7308]

The first time I heard Boldy was at the end of "Clairborne kick" by Westside Gunn.

[@zbombzbyhislonesome]

Saw boldy live. He’s amazing

[@yOGlo]

That's dope asf u seent him live

[@codyschmuff4840]

Boldy james has one of dopest rhyming styles/delivery ever

[@R-SUPREME]

Your videography graphics are incredible. Keep creating more visual art interactive pictures like this.

[@Volksgeist]

Check out the latest vid too!

[@Libxn]

Your videos are incredible! You probably have a lot of ideas you’re working on, but i’d love to see a video like this on the alchemist!

[@kiddchronic9014]

Aye bro i think this the first video i watched from you and the breakdown of these tracks is immaculate thanks bro

[@702prodigy]

i appreciate you putting this guy up here. every time he popped up in a westside project i was impressed more and more by his cadence and overall work he puts into the music

[@gutsfiend6678]

love how the title paints him as this underrated super underground artist when he has been working with the alchemist for many years and is pretty much part of Griselda

[@e3109781]

Finally, somebody feels the same as me when it comes to Boldy 🔥 Boldy and Alc are goated

[@danielumana8989]

I'm happy boldy getting known been listening to him for many years

[@briereludovic]

"Wasnt just an artistic renaissance, it was an artistic rebirth". Renaissance is literaly rebirth in french.

[@Hoffagotti]

boldy really a new age prodigy that's why him and al chemistry is crazy

[@chloesucksatgaming4563]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO MAKE SOMETHING ON BOLDY, THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@lance1199]

30 minutes !!! Damn how much time you got on your hands. Respect boldy one of my favorite rappers lately

[@lowk2yz]

Beautiful video man! Immediately subbed!

[@Yamumghae]

Wow what a commentary on boldly You did him well 💯 He’s the man

[@incognitotees]

BoJames is that dude. I can listen to his records all day and some songs are on loop constantly

[@alniter1919]

Alchemist is the bloodline that keeps Boldy , and a lot of underground rappers rockin ...

[@TheRealDahli]

Wow dude you’re amazing! Instant sub, and I’m gonna to check out Boldy

[@nololol]

he was a bonus track on a 2008 cool kids tape called "gettin flicked" been so fun watching dude go up and down/ghost for years and now hes shining

[@nicholassimon1419]

Surprised I’d never heard of him til watching this right now! Thank you. About to delve into some of his music for my soundtrack at work today 🙌

[@Fee76Lawlus]

Thank you, I heard some of his music through Spitta. Now I will dig deeper.

[@EvLDJGetRite]

Been hooked on Boldy for the last 5 years.

[@adrianbouchout3587]

Amazing video on my favorite rapper ever. Love the way you highlighted phone bill, my all time favorite Boldy somg

[@BeautifulLoops]

This is a great video explaining Boldy James contributions to hip hop. 🔥

[@shamanic_nostalgia]

Known about Boldy since he was doing songs with The Cool Kids and i think he was on a Big Sean mixtape back then too. Stands out immediately when you hear him. He's kinda got the Griselda vibe before Griselda existed

[@dimitrioli1506]

so glad you made this video 🫂

[@ronniehenley1336]

Facts, Facts, Facts! This Brother is definitely one of the Most Creative and Best! I got wind of him through my Griselda favorite Benny The Butcher, when he said “ My style is Boldy James now and Tupac then” but I’ve been listening ever since. This brother is The Hottest out now hands down

[@Elzeko21]

Kudos to whoever writes these scripts, man. Your description and usage of words is insane, I legitimately never heard anyone describe music like you do. Keep it up!

[@Volksgeist]

bro I write them lol

[@Elzeko21]

@Volksgeist Ahaha fairs then. You're very talented, my brother. Always look forward to your videos 🫡.

[@thaddeusrattley]

Good job! Boldy has become my absolute favorite rapper during this 3-4 year run

[@shamanic_nostalgia]

Well done i appreciate you promoting underground artists to a wider audience that may not have heard of him

[@mazinabdallah5241]

Really good video! Would love for you to do one on billy woods too!

[@brock_b_0759]

amazing video, I love your style and way of doing things

[@dretheman123]

This video was produced extremely well and I’ve definitely hit the follow button. Very insightful and thought provoking takes on arguably my favourite artist. It’s between Boldy and Freddie Gibbs for me. Both have immaculate bodies of work.

[@DawwgHouse]

One of my fav rappers ever, the consistency of Boldy is insane. Them Alchemist/Boldy tapes are legit.

[@dunvegandungeon7152]

boldly been a favourite for ages this man really doesn’t miss he really just goes and goes

[@Angelcxc1]

Hes my favorite rapper right now and paired with alchemist he unstoppable

[@muveemanone2067]

Dude's nice! Gr8 job on how you break it dwn...I just subscribed🤘🏼

[@sehemunzuri]

Glad you covered Boldy & what an incredible Video.

[@margarettembo-gl5yu]

I first heard B.J on WestSideGunn Claiborne kick. Always knew there was greatness in this dude.

[@wellfedstarvingartist]

Thank you for making this video

[@who_is_dis]

Thanks for making this

[@kayrez3492]

So glad to see a video on Boldy