James Clay Jones III (born August 9, 1982), better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper. 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.
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, Harry Fraud, Nicholas Craven, Real Bad Man and Futurewave, among others.
Early life Jones was born on August 9, 1982, in Atlanta, Georgia to James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus. 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. They resided on the Eastside of Detroit with Jones' grandmother. 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. 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. He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out his freshman year. He got the name "Boldy James" from his friend, James Osely III, whom people in the neighborhood called "Boldy". 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.
Career
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". That was followed up by his record "Gettin Flicked" appearing on The Cool Kids's 2010 mixtape Tacklebox. 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. On May 24, 2011, Jones released his solo debut mixtape Trappers Alley Pros and Cons. The project went on to be named by Pitchfork as one of 2011's Most Overlooked Projects. On February 27, 2012, he released his follow up mixtape, Consignment. On March 5, 2013, he released an EP titled Grand Quarters. On October 15, 2013, he released his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, entirely produced by The Alchemist. On May 22, 2014, it was announced that Jones, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn were the first signees to Nas's Mass Appeal Records. 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.
Jones is a cousin of American rapper Chuck Inglish and is related to American rapper Snoop Dogg.
Jones has six children.
Discography
Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details My 1st Chemistry Set(with The Alchemist) Released: October 15, 2013 Label: Decon, Mass Appeal Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download The Price of Tea in China (with The Alchemist) Released: February 7, 2020 Label: ALC Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl Manger on McNichols (with Sterling Toles) Released: July 22, 2020 Label: Sector 7-G Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl The Versace Tape Released: August 14, 2020 Label: Griselda Formats: Streaming, digital download Real Bad Boldy (with Real Bad Man) Released: December 11, 2020 Label: Real Bad Man Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl Bo Jackson (with The Alchemist) Released: August 13, 2021 Label: ALC Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl Super Tecmo Bo (with The Alchemist) Released: December 17, 2021 Label: ALC Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl Killing Nothing (with Real Bad Man) Released: May 20, 2022 Label: Real Bad Man Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl, cassette Fair Exchange No Robbery (with Nicholas Craven) Released: September 30, 2022 Label: Nicholas Craven Productions Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl, cassette Mr. Ten08 (with Futurewave) Released: November 4, 2022 Label: WAVGODMUSIC INC. / FXCKRXP Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl, cassette Be That as It May (with Cuns) Released: December 14, 2022 Label: Tuff Kong Records Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl, cassette Indiana Jones (with RichGains) Released: January 20, 2023 Label: Self-released Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl Penalty of Leadership (with Nicholas Craven) Released: January 12, 2024 Label: Nicholas Craven Productions Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, cassette Across the Tracks (with Conductor Williams) Released: June 28, 2024 Label: Near Mint Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, cassette The Bricktionary (with Harry Fraud) Released: November 22, 2024 Label: Near Mint Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, cassette Murder During Drug Traffic (with RichGains) Released: January 3, 2025 Label: Self-released Formats: Streaming, digital download Permanent Ink Released: January 24, 2025 Label: Royal House Recordings Formats: Streaming, digital download The Exorcism (with The Flaurist) Released: February 11, 2025 Label: Unsigned Records Formats: Digital download Token of Appreciation (with Chuck Strangers) Released: February 27, 2025 Label: Self-released Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl Hommage (with Antt Beatz) Released: March 28, 2025 Label: Empire Formats: Streaming, digital download Alphabet Highway (with V Don) Released: April 4, 2025 Label: Serious Soundz, RRC Music Co. Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl Conversational Pieces (with Real Bad Man) Released: May 2, 2025 Label: Real Bad Man Records Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl Late To My Own Funeral (with Nicholas Craven) Released: July 11, 2025 Label: Nicholas Craven Productions Formats: Streaming, digital download, CD, vinyl, cassette Criminally Attached (with Nicholas Craven) Released: November 14, 2025 Label: Roc Nation Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, cassette
Extended plays + List of extended plays, with selected details Title EP details Grand Quarters Released: March 5, 2013 Label: Decon Formats: CD, digital download The Art of Rock Climbing Released: January 27, 2017 Label: Mass Appeal Formats: Streaming, digital download Boldface (with The Alchemist) Released: December 20, 2019 Label: ALC Formats: Streaming, digital download ADU (with Real Bad Man as Boldy Bad Man) Released: January 16, 2023 Label: Real Bad Man, RRC Music Formats: vinyl Prisoner of Circumstance (with ChanHays) Released: June 9, 2023 Label: Droppin Science Productions Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl 1LB (One Lucky Bastard) (with Your Boy Posca) Released: February 2024 Label: Near Mint Formats: Vinyl, cassette Hidden in Plain Sight (with whothehelliscarlo) Released: December 20, 2024 Label: Westside Bike Club Formats: Streaming, digital download Magnolia Leflore (with Your Boy Posca) Released: May 23, 2025 Label: Near Mint Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl ADU 2 (with Real Bad Man as Boldy Bad Man) Released: November 4, 2025 Label: Real Bad Man, RRC Music Formats: vinylSalvation For The Wicked (with Ransom & Nicholas Craven) Released: February 12, 2026 Label: Momentum Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, CD Manhunt (with Rome Streetz) Released: February 27, 2026 Label: Mass Appeal Formats: Streaming, digital download, vinyl, CD
Mixtapes + List of mixtapes, with year released Title Album details Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons Released: May 24, 2011 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download Consignment: Favor For A Favor The Redi-rock Mixtape Released: February 27, 2012 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download Trappers Alley 2 Released: February 27, 2015 Label: Mass Appeal Formats: Digital download House of Blues Released: February 24, 2017 Label: Mass Appeal Formats: Streaming, digital download Live at the Roxy (Caps & Tabs)(with M. Stacks) Released: November 24, 2018 Label: Connected Everywhere, Concreatures 227 Formats: CD, digital download Latr (Tabs & Caps) Released: December 8, 2018 Label: Mass Appeal Formats: Streaming, digital download
Singles
+List of singles showing year released and album nameTitleYearAlbum"I Sold Dope All My Life" 2011Trappers Alley: Pros & Cons"Grittin" (featuring Peechie Green and Fat Ray)2012"Take Whats Ours" (featuring LOGIC and Aaron Williams)Consignment: Favor For A Favor"For The Birds""2013Grand Quarters"Brand New Chanel Kicks"2024Penalty of Leadership"No Pun Intended""Blocks & Ave’s"(Featuring Nuglife and Zombie Juice)"Yokohama Slim"(Featuring MadeinTYO)"Terms & Conditions"Across The Tracks"Off White Lumberjack""Cecil Fielder"(Featuring Tee Grizzley)The Bricktionary"Super Mario"Hommage"Dead Flowers""Shrink Wrap"(Featuring Babyface Ray)The Bricktionary"Rabies"(Featuring Benny The Butcher)"Achilles"2025Murder During Drug Traffic"Single File Line"Permanent Ink"Whale Fishing"Token of Appreciation"Street Cred"Hommage"Split The Bill"Alphabet Highway"RSNS""It Factor"(Featuring El-P)Conversational Pieces"Come Back Around"(Featuring dreamcastmoe)"Nancy Botwin"Magnolia Leflore"Spider Webbing Windshields"Late To My Own Funeral"Nice Try Wrong Guy""COLLECTION PLATES" Salvation For The Wicked"No Blemishes"Criminally Attached"Infrared Dot Com"
Guest appearances