James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan.[2] A member of the Griselda collective, his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, was released on October 15, 2013.
Boldy James | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | James Clay Jones III |
Born | (1982-08-09) August 9, 1982 (age 40)[1] Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2009–present |
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Boldy 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 James' grandmother.[3] In 1989, James' 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] James' 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 from his block, James Osely III, who people in the neighborhood called Boldy.[4] Boldy 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]
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 2011s 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]
Title | Album details |
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My 1st Chemistry Set[12] (with The Alchemist) |
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The Price of Tea in China (with The Alchemist) |
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Manger on McNichols (with Sterling Toles) |
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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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Title | EP details |
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Grand Quarters[11] |
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The Art of Rock Climbing[15] |
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Boldface (with The Alchemist) |
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Title | Album details |
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Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons[16] |
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Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape[17] |
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Trappers Alley 2[18] |
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House of Blues |
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Live at the Roxy (Caps & Tabs)[12] (with M. Stacks) |
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Latr (Tabs & Caps) |
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The Versace Tape |
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Title | Year | Album |
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"I Sold Dope All My Life"[19] | 2012 | Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons |
"Grittin"[20] (featuring Peechie Green and Fat Ray) |
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"For the Birds"[21] | 2013 |
Title | Year | Album |
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"Take Whats Ours"[22] (Logic featuring Boldy James and Aaron Williams) |
2012 | — |
Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
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"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 |
"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 | |
"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 |
"TV Dinners" | 2021 | The Alchemist, Sideshow | This Thing of Ours |
"Westheimer" | Westside Gunn, Stove God Cooks, Sauce Walka | Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf | |
"716 Mile" | Westside Gunn | Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf | |
"No Yeast" | 2022 | Curren$y | Continuance |
"Sauvage" | Billy Woods, Gabe 'Nandez | Aethiopes |
Authority control ![]() |
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