Boldy James

Boldy James
Birth name James Clay Jones III
Born (1982-08-09) August 9, 1982[1]
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Years active 2009–present
Labels Decon Records, Mass Appeal Records
Associated acts The Cool Kids, The Alchemist

James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan.[2] 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 his parents James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus.[3] In 1983, Jones and Broadus returned to their original home of Detroit, MI 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 to live on Detroit’s westside on Stahelin Hell Block near McNichols Rd 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 begun writing his first raps shortly after.[4] He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out after the 9th 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] He didn’t rap, he just sold cocaine, and “I liked the name because his name was James too,” says James. When his friend was murdered he decided to carry on the name using it to rap.[4]

Musical career

In 2009, Boldy James first big break on the national scene came in the form of 2 features on The Cool Kids and Don Cannon 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’ 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' Mass Appeal Records.[13]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
My 1st Chemistry Set[12]
(with The Alchemist)

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
Grand Quarters[11]

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with year released
Title Album details
Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons[14]
  • Released: May 24, 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape[15]
  • Released: February 27, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Trappers Alley 2[16]

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
US R&B
US Rap
"I Sold Dope All My Life"[17] 2012 Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons
"Grittin"[18]
(featuring Peechie Green and Fat Ray)
N/A
"For the Birds"[19] 2013
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured performer, with selected chart positions showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
US R&B
US Rap
"Take Whats Ours"[20]
(Logic featuring Boldy James and Aaron Williams)
2012 N/A
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. Pitre, Andy (2012-06-04). "Boldy James | A3C Hip Hop Festival". A3cfestival.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  2. "The Break Presents: Boldy James - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Growing Up in Detroit — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "On (Not) Going To School — Who Is Boldy James?". Complex. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  5. "The Cool Kids - Merry Christmas EP Hosted by Don Cannon // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. 2009-12-25. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  6. 1 2 "The Cool Kids – Tacklebox (Mixtape)". Nah Right. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  7. "Chip Tha Ripper - Fat Raps [Remix] (Ft. Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Dom Kennedy, Boldy James & Asher Roth)". Illroots. 2010-08-31. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  8. "Boldy James – Trapper's Alley: Pro's (Mixtape)". Nah Right. 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  9. "Staff Lists: You Can Find This on the Internet: Overlooked Mixtapes | Features". Pitchfork. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  10. "Download Boldy James' Consignment: Favor for a Favor, The Redi-Rock Mixtape". The Fader. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  11. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - Grand Quarters - EP by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  12. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - My 1st Chemistry Set by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  13. "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  14. "Boldy James - Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  15. "Boldy James - Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  16. "Boldy James And Fashawn On Signing To Nas' Mass Appeal Records - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  17. "iTunes - Music - I Sold Dope All My Life - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  18. "iTunes - Music - Grittin (feat. Peechie Green & Fat Ray) - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  19. "iTunes - Music - For the Birds - Single by Boldy James". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  20. "iTunes - Music - Take Whats Ours (feat. Boldy James & Aaron Williams) - Single by Logic". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
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