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]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@vladav313]

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

[@DawwgHouse]

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

[@EvLDJGetRite]

Been hooked on Boldy for the last 5 years.

[@NessieBud]

he will go down as a great in the world of rappers when it’s all said and done.

[@ekerney441]

Fair exchange no robbery deadass my favorite project of 2022

[@montariussmith5381]

Boldy been in my top 5 for the last 3 years,. Anything he touch I gotta give it a listen

[@muveemanone2067]

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

[@dawsonsharpton4124]

Techmo Bo one of my favorite pieces of media ever

[@will_cashgrow2294]

Oh, i've heard of Baldy James and...he's 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@fekkacam]

The price of tea in china is my personal favorite in the past like 5-8 years

[@PlatinumBarsHipHop]

Legend for this vid 💯

[@wydsan]

one of the greatest

[@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

[@konrTF]

Boldy is incredible!

[@youcher]

1

[@marcusmoore7911]

Agreed

[@musaka2022]

He's 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

[@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

[@TjWarren300]

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

[@True_Slime]

Snapple fact

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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. 🙏✌🏻

[@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🔥

[@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.

[@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

[@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 🙏🏾🔥🙏🏾🔥

[@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

[@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.

[@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 🔥

[@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

[@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

[@soulwafurs]

so glad bros finally getting the recognition he deserves

[@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

[@superorbs]

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

[@obody-sl9np]

boldy and alchemist is an impeccable duo

[@goldlinkkkk]

ever heard of Boldy and Nicholas Craven??

[@Whodnl]

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

[@Volksgeist]

[@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.

[@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 😭

[@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.

[@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 👀?

[@gxldengxd7938]

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

[@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.

[@HuleeSantanaOfficial]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@Kev_-qm1je]

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

[@trentonbullock48]

I’m glad someone mentioned this!

[@RealThrax]

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

[@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

[@subjectofthemoon]

This titles kinda crazy considering he has 2 mil monthly listeners on spotify

[@sixermd]

"Never heard of." These Ivy League kids got AV skills but try to storyboard off internet research alone. If you've never been to Detroit, you're not qualified to post a misleading headline, let alone make assumptions about the city.

[@benc4968]

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

[@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 🔥💯

[@Sssteelo]

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

[@Handleunavailabl]

The description of Detroit was taking it a little too far the D is not THAT depressing bruh 😭

[@mr.4leafclova866]

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

[@MegaKickn]

Feel like you could of gave Fair Exchange No Robbery more credit

[@wely1100]

his work with al and nicolas craven were G shi. i found him through griselda BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOOOOM!!

[@briereludovic]

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

[@jchris333]

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

[@stevebuscemi4185]

The Detroit disrespect is wild

[@AntonVSEDELA]

Болди очень крут, удивительно, что он по настоящему раскрылся только к 40 годам!

[@naptownloony]

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

[@MaxxTaxEvasion]

The work Boldy James put in is always fire

[@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 🤙🏼

[@Yamumghae]

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

[@Fatmanhect]

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

[@alniter1919]

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

[@zbombzbyhislonesome]

Saw boldy live. He’s amazing

[@yOGlo]

That's dope asf u seent him live

[@ramseymccall7308]

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

[@e3109781]

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

[@SiloSh3llz]

Bro Detroit is not as abandoned as you patray it to be and alot of the producers Boldy work with not even known in Detroit. We call Boldy a left hand rapper in Detroit he don't rap on Detroit beats like Babyface Ray, Allstar Jr, Payroll Giovani, Vezzo and Veeze dude his own lane, even Detroit sleep on dog tbh, Boldy has a cult following Detroit has its own wave just do some digging bro you'll see

[@Gladioul]

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

[@yOGlo]

Dam that's dope asf u seent them live

[@bsmr2]

Concreatures what else. This nigga sound like what Francis bacon was listening to while painting. Google it you’ll get it. A+ presentation fam

[@Rhinestonearchives00]

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

[@finndropemoff4383]

Needed this. Boldy so fucking good man

[@Rizpektable]

because he has a boring voice with his incredible flow ... listening to Boldy James means you have to fully LISTEN and appreciate the boring-ness of his voice in order to enjoy the flow.

[@dfwherbie8814]

Old boldy James was fire too. You buggin. And btw, you finding satanic rituals interesting is big time sus. You must not believe. Good luck in the afterlife bro.

[@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!

[@margarettembo-gl5yu]

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

[@DavidDrakeJ]

He wasn’t obscure or something before you discovered him. “Trappers alley” is a classic from 2011 and his sound was fully formed. The pre jail stuff was great. Clueless. Do some research

[@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 🫡.

[@lance1199]

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

[@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

[@migmach]

Metro boomin? Respect for talking on boldy James but boldy original authentic most are cap rappers and those that were cap when they got older boldy the truth. Thank you for mentioning boldy

[@detroitmadejayy5637]

Hearing peoples view of detroit from outside looking in is so funny 😂😂😂shit ain’t that damn horrible here😂😂😂

[@TheBouier]

Dude, you gotta relax on the overzealous descriptions of Detroit. I grew up in the city (down the street from the area Boldy grew up) and it's far from this barren wasteland that you're describing. It's absolutely insulting that you keep painting this picture of a dilapidated wasteland when it's clear you've never been.

[@BlaineMakesBeats]

Detroit isn’t that doomed and decayed. Some parts are fucked but I’m seeing a conscious effort from communities to make the city cleaner and more welcoming. Take a trip here, downtown is cool during the summer.

[@userunknown7330]

Volks u fr best music yt channel the vids always amazing

[@IndustrialStreamingLogistics]

Come on man. No mention of “trappers alley: pros and cons”???? That was the album that kicked off his whole career not that alchemist shit

[@mituscustoms7796]

Boldy James tapes with Nicholas Craven are amazing.

[@dennismoore4977]

Do you fw rome streetz or mach hommy?

[@danielferd5099]

Mach

[@MrBluntafterblunt]

Rome is dope

[@yOGlo]

Ya mach n fahim tha notorious dump legends !!

[@JGLCSW]

Speak for yourself. I love his material with Alchemist.

[@Medgarevers20]

13:45 lol come on bro tha abortion bar is a biggie line lol ,he’s paying homage since the mommy dearest is a flip on bigs song “my downfall” (daddys dearest) give it a listen lol Jay also did a remake of this song on maga Carter “baby blue”