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

[@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]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@CaldoHits]

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

[@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

[@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

[@konrTF]

Boldy is incredible!

[@youcher]

1

[@marcusmoore7911]

Agreed

[@musaka2022]

He's 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

[@TjWarren300]

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

[@True_Slime]

Snapple fact

[@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.

[@DedricT96]

@@Phearsummight be his best work. Just listened to that while doing pushups. He’s my main artist to workout to

[@Speak_Knowledge1985]

Boldy is in his own lane like Roc

[@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

[@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🔥

[@kxam2]

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

[@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

[@young_diogenes]

I had to take into consideration

[@masonshattuck6217]

I love Boldy James, such an underrated lyricist

[@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

[@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 🙏🏾🔥🙏🏾🔥

[@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 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾👑

[@ConCreatureS227]

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

[@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. 🙏✌🏻

[@benc4968]

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

[@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

[@superorbs]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@RoxyProd]

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

[@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 👀?

[@soulwafurs]

so glad bros finally getting the recognition he deserves

[@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 🙏🏽

[@HuleeSantanaOfficial]

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

[@Whodnl]

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

[@Volksgeist]

[@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.

[@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

[@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 🤙🏼

[@naptownloony]

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

[@obody-sl9np]

boldy and alchemist is an impeccable duo

[@goldlinkkkk]

ever heard of Boldy and Nicholas Craven??

[@MaxxTaxEvasion]

The work Boldy James put in is always fire

[@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.

[@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 🔥💯

[@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!

[@hectorp823]

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.

[@jchris333]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@R-SUPREME]

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

[@Volksgeist]

Check out the latest vid too!

[@e3109781]

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

[@thaddeusrattley]

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

[@briereludovic]

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

[@jeruelmangual7892]

Boldy and Uncle Al is the best duo when they link up

[@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.

[@lance1199]

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

[@Yamumghae]

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

[@vladav313]

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

[@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

[@GuysAGoose]

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

[@Gladioul]

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

[@yOGlo]

Dam that's dope asf u seent them live

[@yvngdrip8045]

I just watched this yesterday. He’s been my favourite rapper since a couple years now and I can really appreciate this video. Its so well put together and very extensive imo. Props 🫶🏼

[@mr.4leafclova866]

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

[@zbombzbyhislonesome]

Saw boldy live. He’s amazing

[@yOGlo]

That's dope asf u seent him live

[@DawwgHouse]

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

[@Kev_-qm1je]

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

[@trentonbullock48]

I’m glad someone mentioned this!

[@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

[@ozymandias___868]

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

[@jordanbrown9232]

Listen. I first heard that at Sterlings loft and was like oh yeah this is 🔥

[@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

[@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 😭

[@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!

[@Rhinestonearchives00]

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

[@codyschmuff4840]

Boldy james has one of dopest rhyming styles/delivery ever

[@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 🫡.

[@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

[@finndropemoff4383]

Needed this. Boldy so fucking good man

[@seanfrance3182]

You literally pointed out all of my top tracks from Boldy. Truly a hidden gem of an artist.

[@MidTierVillain]

Boldy time is gonna come, he’s too much of a rare artist not to blow up- it’s the timing, that’s all, or the one record that takes off.

[@SymbaSessions]

Great video. Only thing is, I would say this run started in 2019 with the Boldface EP.

[@userunknown7330]

Volks u fr best music yt channel the vids always amazing

[@RealThrax]

Bro talking about Detroit like it’s another country 😂😂😂

[@projectnewsense6780]

My favorite I’m bias. Heard him on Sir Michael Rocks project (another underrated artist) “Stop the Show” wit Payroll Giovanni and became a fan, that was like ‘12 or ‘13. Something undeniably poetic about how he puts words together wit almost no effort and the storytelling was insanely detailed.

[@funDzAmEntal]

Off of Premier Politics

[@stevebuscemi4185]

The Detroit disrespect is wild

[@5pydieman]

Boldys verse on "Tires" was enough to get me hooked, been a fan since 09 dudes done nothing but gotten better with each Project 🔥

[@_quarterroy2325]

I was in the comments looking for somebody who was around for them Cool Kids verses 😂

[@5pydieman]

@@_quarterroy2325 🤣 NGL anybody in a cool kids song back then got my stamp of approval, But Body was and still is that guy. I know Chuck his cousin but I'm still glad they drop tracks together

[@eddietalley534]

I’m order for him to break out further he has to get linked with diverse producers. Some of his music sounds bland with beats he just gotta get better at mixing it up. His bars is incredible man he needs that “Versace tape” feel and expand on that

[@efanga6758]

L take

[@quisejeter1470]

You literally COULD NOT be more wrong

[@danielumana8989]

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

[@margarettembo-gl5yu]

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

[@chloesucksatgaming4563]

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

[@darandomdog]

Started listening to him because i got recommended him and Penalty of Leadership, after hearing that i instantly clicked with his music. I listened to more albums and this dude is good and he deserves so much more

[@BeautifulLoops]

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

[@simbarashetarwireyi5041]

Thank you so much for making this video😢😢😢

[@MookieKnx]

Thank you for this video. Boldy is my favorite rapper in the new wave. I'm from Colombia, and it's difficult for me to know Boldy James' history.

[@michaelcox3353]

Dude gets his flowers from the real ones and thats all that matters. We live in a generation where nobody wants to listen to great music. People are just looking for a whole lotta star power even if the artist lacks everything in the talent department. Aside from him being good at bars and telling stories, his delivery and flow are unique. If they sleep on Boldy, let them. We can have his music all to ourselves and as much as we want him to succeed we don't want dumbasses and tik tok fuckin up his music for us. He'll get his time to shine one way or another. I think his sound perfectly represents Detroit.

[@crans20]

boldy has genuinely been in my top 3 favorite rappers since i heard price of tea in china in 2020 the night it dropped. everything he’s put out since then has been nothing short of quality music

[@incognitotees]

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

[@EvLDJGetRite]

Been hooked on Boldy for the last 5 years.

[@Fee76Lawlus]

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

[@Angelcxc1]

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

[@muveemanone2067]

Thanks for puttin me on fam! 🤘🏼😎

[@peeptheperspective1746]

nice to see Boldy get recognition! I made a video about it a few months ago called "The Historic Run Of Boldy James"

[@JosueBencosmeLiranzo]

I discovered Boldy James researching tru The Alchemist's discography and came across My 1st Chemistry Set... needless to say I have discovered one of my favorite rapper/producer combos ever