James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage nameBoldy James, is an American rapper.[2] He is a 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 a wide discography of both studio albums as well as mixtapes and EPs, often releasing multiple projects in a year.
Jones was born on August 9, 1982, in Atlanta, to James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus.[3][4] In 1983, Jones and Broadus returned to their original home of Detroit, with their son after Jones was wounded in the line of duty serving as a police officer.[4] They resided on the Eastside of Detroit with Jones' grandmother.[4] 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.[4] 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.[5] He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out after the ninth grade.[5] He got the name "Boldy James" from his friend, James Osely III, whom people in the neighborhood called "Boldy".[5] 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.[5]
Career
Jones performing in 2023
In 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".[6] That was followed up by his record "Gettin Flicked" appearing on The Cool Kids's 2010 mixtape Tacklebox.[7] 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.[8] On May 24, 2011, Jones released his solo debut mixtape Trappers Alley Pros and Cons.[9] The project went on to be named by Pitchfork as one of 2011's Most Overlooked Projects.[10] On February 27, 2012, he released his follow up mixtape, Consignment.[11] On March 5, 2013, he released an EP titled Grand Quarters.[12] On October 15, 2013, he released his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, entirely produced by The Alchemist.[13] On May 22, 2014, it was announced that Jones, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn were the first signees to Nas's Mass Appeal Records.[14] He left Mass Appeal in 2020 to sign with Westside Gunn's Griselda Records. With Griselda, he has released The Price of Tea in China, Manger on McNichols and Bo Jackson, among other albums.
Personal life
On January 9, 2023, Jones was involved in a car accident in Detroit, leaving him with a broken vertebrae, requiring intensive surgery.[15]
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