James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan,[2] and 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 14 studio albums along with several mixtapes and EPs.
Boldy James | |
|---|---|
 Jones in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Clay Jones III |
| Also known as |
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| Born | August 9, 1982[1] Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of |
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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, Nicholas Craven, Real Bad Man, Futurewave and others.
Early life
editBoldy 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 Jones' grandmother.[3] 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.[3] 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.[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, James Osely III, whom people in the neighborhood called "Boldy".[4] 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.[4]
Career
editIn 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".[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] Jones and Cool Kid member/producer Chuck Inglish are cousins.[6] On May 24, 2011, Jones 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 Jones, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn were the first signees to Nas's Mass Appeal Records.[13]
Personal life
editOn January 9, 2023, Jones was involved in a car accident in Detroit, leaving him with a broken vertebrae requiring intensive surgery.[14]
On August 24, 2023, Jones revealed that he is related to American rapper Snoop Dogg through word of his family.[15][16]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| My 1st Chemistry Set[12] (with The Alchemist) |
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| The Price of Tea in China (with The Alchemist) | |
| Manger on McNichols (with Sterling Toles) |
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| The Versace Tape[17] |
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| Real Bad Boldy (with Real Bad Man) |
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| Bo Jackson (with The Alchemist) |
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| Super Tecmo Bo (with The Alchemist) |
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| Killing Nothing (with Real Bad Man) |
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| Fair Exchange No Robbery (with Nicholas Craven) |
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| Mr. Ten08 (with Futurewave) |
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| Be That as It May (with Cuns) |
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| Indiana Jones (with RichGains) |
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| Penalty of Leadership (with Nicholas Craven) |
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| Across the Tracks (with Conductor Williams) |
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| The Bricktionary (with Harry Fraud) |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Grand Quarters[11] |
|
| The Art of Rock Climbing[21] |
|
| Boldface (with The Alchemist) |
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| ADU (with Real Bad Man as Boldy Bad Man)[22] |
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| Prisoner of Circumstance (with ChanHays) |
|
| 1LB (One Lucky Bastard) (with Your Boy Posca) |
|
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons[24] |
|
| Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape[25] |
|
| Trappers Alley 2[26] |
|
| House of Blues |
|
| Live at the Roxy (Caps & Tabs)[12] (with M. Stacks) |
|
| Latr (Tabs & Caps) |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "I Sold Dope All My Life"[27] | 2012 | Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons |
| "Grittin"[28] (featuring Peechie Green and Fat Ray) |
— | |
| "For the Birds"[29] | 2013 |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Take Whats Ours"[30] (L.O.Gic featuring Boldy James and Aaron Williams) |
2012 | — |
Guest appearances
edit| 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 |
| "Girl (I Used To Know)" | JMSN | Priscilla | |
| "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 | |
| "Light This Fa Me" | 2016 | Chuck Inglish, Buddy | Ev Zepplin |
| "On The Set" | 2017 | The Cool Kids, Smoke DZA | Special Edition Grandmaster Deluxe |
| "It's Possible" | 2019 | Westside Gunn, Jay Worthy | Hitler Wears Hermes 7 |
| "Ocean Prime" | The Alchemist | Yacht Rock 2 | |
| "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 |
| "Get Money" | Dej Loaf, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine | Sell Sole II | |
| "Claiborne Kick" | Westside Gunn | Pray For Paris | |
| "Buffs vs. Wires" | Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher | Flygod Is An Awesome God 2 | |
| "All Praises" | Westside Gunn, Jadakiss | Who Made The Sunshine | |
| "TV Dinners" | 2021 | The Alchemist, Sideshow | This Thing of Ours |
| "Yzerman" | Nicholas Craven | Craven N 3 | |
| "Bird Box" | Rx Papi | 100 Miles & Walk'in | |
| "Westheimer" | Westside Gunn, Stove God Cooks, Sauce Walka | Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf | |
| "716 Mile" | Westside Gunn | ||
| "No Yeast" | 2022 | Curren$y | Continuance |
| "Sauvage" | Billy Woods, Gabe 'Nandez | Aethiopes | |
| "December Coming" | Domo Genesis & Evidence | Intros, Outros & Interludes | |
| "Looking For Water" | Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man | Real Bad Flights | |
| "Trillion Cuts" | Roc Marciano & The Alchemist | The Elephant Man's Bones | |
| “4Evastackin" | Marcel Allen | Ebony Goddess | |
| "Serving" | Rome Streetz | Kiss the Ring | |
| "Art Talk" | 2023 | Larry June & The Alchemist | The Great Escape |
| "Red Dolphin" | A$AP Ant | The PostLude | |
| "Stunna" | Rome Streetz, Double Dee | Noise Kandy 5 | |
| "Trouble Man" | The Alchemist, T.F. | Flying High EP |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "The Break Presents: Boldy James - XXL". Xxlmag.com. January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Growing Up in Detroit — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. October 25, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "On (Not) Going To School — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. October 25, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "The Cool Kids - Merry Christmas EP Hosted by Don Cannon // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. December 25, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "The Cool Kids – Tacklebox (Mixtape)". Nah Right. May 31, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Boldy James – Trapper's Alley: Pro's (Mixtape)". Nah Right. May 24, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Staff Lists: You Can Find This on the Internet: Overlooked Mixtapes | Features". Pitchfork. December 19, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Download Boldy James' Consignment: Favor for a Favor, The Redi-Rock Mixtape". The Fader. February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Grand Quarters - EP by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. March 5, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c "iTunes - Music - My 1st Chemistry Set by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records - XXL". Xxlmag.com. May 22, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel; Gee, Andre (January 14, 2023). "Boldy James Suffers Broken Vertebrae in Neck After 'Serious' Car Accident". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Griffin, Marc (August 31, 2023). "Boldy James Told By Family That Snoop Dogg Is His Long Lost Relative". VIBE.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (August 31, 2023). "Boldy James Explains How He's Related To Snoop Dogg". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Paul a. (August 14, 2020). "Boldy James: The Versace Tape Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ "Boldy James & Futurewave - Mr. Ten08". Apple Music. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ "Andrea Cuns on Instagram: "@boldyjames "BE THAT AS IT MAY" entirely produced by yours truly drops next Wednesday December 14th @tuffkongrecords 🔥 Vases and…"". Instagram. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Boldy James & RichGains - Indiana Jones". Apple Music. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ "DJ Butter Presents: The Art of Rock Climbing by Boldy James on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
- ^ "Real Bad Man on Instagram: "Next release - EP w/ @boldyjames No preorder. No digital. Physical copies only. Mark your calendars."". Instagram. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Boldy James & ChanHays - Prisoner of Circumstance". Apple Music. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ "Boldy James - Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Boldy James - Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records". XXL. May 22, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Grittin (feat. Peechie Green & Fat Ray) - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. December 18, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - For the Birds - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. February 5, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Take Whats Ours (feat. Boldy James & Aaron Williams) - Single by L.O.Gic". Itunes.apple.com. April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2013.