Boldy James – “Criminally Attached” review

It’s been 4 months & Detroit veteran Boldy James has finally returned to make his Roc Nation Records debut in the form of his 17th LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), there was a point where Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records had them on their roster for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. Manger on McNichols produced by Sterling Toles was as equally fantastic & the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, the Antt Beatz produced Hommage left people divided although I didn’t mind it, coming off the V Don-produced Alphabet Highway & the Killing Nothing sequel Conversational Pieces respectively by showing up Late to His Own Funeral. Signing to Roc Nation not too long ago, he & Craven have decided to run it back with Criminally Attached.

“Walnut Grove” comes out the gate with a vocal sample talking about making money for a long time putting it on his grandmother Mary Lou whereas “No Blemishes soulfully explains that a membership of the gang he’s in cannot be simply claimed.“Infrared.com” talks about still being in the ghetto with all of his Zs getting calls that shouldn’t be answered on speaker just before “Fully Smack” runs up a check quickly to the point where he doesn’t have to wait in a line.

David Hill & 50 Gwuap Taj join Boldy on the soulful “Trifecta” talking about the way they see themselves livin’ leading into “Thumb of Craven” starting the 2nd half continuing the drumless chipmunk soul vibes telling the heavyweights throw up against to walk a little lighter. “Mr. Quaker Oats” featuring Poppy Bricks embraces a jazzier vibe talking about being more Richie than Lionel while “Thread the Needle” suggests you know he came from the bands the way he marches in.

“2 Left Feet” begins Criminally Attached last several minutes talking about not missing a single beat when he’s hustling in the streets over a chipmunk soul instrumental & lastly, “1st Time Around” ends with a vocal jazz flip admitting that he isn’t referring to blank disc when he mentions CDs & advising that one shouldn’t get to acquainted with the 227 Concreatures because of all the excessive gang shit that stays surrounding them.

Hard to say whether or not we’ll still get The Pop Catcher either next month or in 2026 but either way, Boldy James’ official Roc Nation Records debut & his 4th album to be entirely produced by one of my personal favorite producers of this ongoing decade joins Late to My Own Funeral alongside Token of Appreciation & Alphabet Highway for the strongest out of the handful of albums the Motor City’s finest has had to offer in 2025. Gearing up for a Super Tecmo Bowl follow-up next year also, Nicholas Craven’s drumlessly soulful production is unparalleled compared to it’s predecessor 4 months earlier & the same can be said regarding the gangsta-themed lyrics.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James & Rome Streetz – “Manhunt” review

Griselda Records signees Boldy James & Rome Streetz teaming up for a brand new collaborative EP. One of whom hails from Detroit, Michigan & the other was born in London, England, United Kingdom albeit raised in Brooklyn, New York. We’ve gotten hear both of these guys cross paths on several instances over the years on tracks like “Open Door” or “Serving”, but they’re looking to go on a Manhunt with one another as a way of elevating their chemistry.

After the intro, the first song “Hot Plate” works in a drumless sample to start the EP talking about everything they touch being high grade whereas “Like Biggie Did” takes the chipmunk soul route instrumentally becoming richer than ever after betting it all. “Tricky” is a Rome Streetz solo cut with a boom bap flare speedin’ in an AMG because of the wave he caught while “Only 1” soulfully talks about God knowing their come up wasn’t easy for them.

“Cheat the Grind” by Boldy James produced by Chuck Strangers could’ve been an outtake from Token of Appreciation & I wouldn’t mind if that’s the case at all as a a fan of that album, advising that the hustle cannot be cheated & the title track finishes up the EP with both of them getting together 1 last time for a mafioso heater about everyone else not having the drive they possess.

2 of the most consistent artists in the GxFR camp these recent years have joined forces coming off Trainspotting & Late to My Own Funeral respectively for an EP full of drumless chipmunk soul & hardcore gangsta lyricism enhancing the speed they’re individually known for running circles around. Boldy James & Rome Streetz have always been deadly MCs separately & combining them makes it significantly lethal.

Score: 4/5

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Boldy James – “Late to My Own Funeral” review

Here is the 16th studio LP from Detroit veteran Boldy James. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), he would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, the Antt Beatz-produced Hommage left people divided although I didn’t mind it, coming off the V Don-produced Alphabet Highway & the Killing Nothing sequel Conversational Pieces by showing up Late to My Own Funeral.

“Spider Webbing Windshields” opens with a sped-up gospel sample keeping blue tips in the tin mill & putting $10K bounties on heads whereas “Marrero” dabbles with rap rock instrumentally talking about being a ghetto trophy & a collector’s item. “Trapezoid” gets back on the chipmunk soul vibes boasting of the 227 Concreatures been real trappers while “Antonio Tuttle” drumlessly talks about his near death experience.

Reaching the halfway point, “Cordon Bleu” featuring David Wesson brings a jazzier flare to the table breaking down how real this shit gets at time & going crazy with the highest class just before “The Whole Shabang” soulfully talks about wanting it all. “Genie in a Bottle” continues with the sampling advising to take this as a token because time isn’t on his side prior to the 2nd & final single “Nice Try Wrong Guy” figuring out where one’s loyalty lies.

“Meal Prepping” gets the final leg of Late to My Own Funeral soulfully talking about hating thieves as much as rats just before “AT&T” featuring C Dell & Nick Bruno concludes the service linking the trio up over a chipmunk soul beat reaffirming their legitimacy getting up close & personal unlike some of these other killers around their parts or addressing the group of individuals burning bridges with them not knowing how to swim.

Regarding the run Boldy’s been on this year, Token of Appreciation & Alphabet Highway gotta make some room for Late to My Own Funeral since it’s head above shoulders compared to those enjoyable projects & The Pop Catcher has a very high chance joining this a month from now. Nicholas Craven’s production recaptures the drumless, jazzy & chipmunk soul feeling of Fair Exchange No Robbery combined with the expansion of Penalty of Leadership’s near-death experience exploration.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James – “Conversational Pieces” review

Detroit veteran Boldy James continuing his monthly streak by having Real Bad Man produce his 15th studio LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), he would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, the Antt Beatz produced Hommage left people divided although I didn’t mind it & is coming of the V Don-produced Alphabet Highway for a Killing Nothing sequel.

“Class Clown” was a great drumless intro talking about putting a dunce cap on a sucka he had to lay out whereas “Tap the Breaks Twice” adds some drums into the equation so he can watching out for tiger sharks & great whites on the track during the late night. “ITT Tech” dabbles with trap working in some pianos & strings clarifying it’s all about the cheese for him while the quasi-jazzy “Fear of God” featuring Conway the Machine clarifies that all they do is trap.

dreamcastmoe’s hook on “Come Back Around” gives the song a soulful boom bap vibe talking about how people sometimes only get back up to eventually fall back down just before “Cutthroats” maintains a dusty flare getting in his hardcore bag lyrically. “Aspen” talks about there being more than 1 way to skin a cat & pull a hat trick keeping the boom bap flare in tact, but then “Triple Platinum” slows down a prominent vocal sample going ghetto gold in his city.

“Bag It Up” of course reflects on his time in the streets moving weight while “Burn in Hell” talks about needing to make it to heaven after all the Hell he’s been through. “It Factor” featuring El-P finds the 2 showing off their A1 abilities on the microphone over more sampling while “Say Less” takes it back to the basement instrumentally advising that’s all you really have to do around him & the title track finishes up Conversational Pieces dropping off much more personal topics.

The prominent gangsta rap themes that were prevalent during Killing Nothing & even Real Bad Boldy during the COVID-19 lockdowns at the mere end of 2020 make their way on the follow-up, except the boom bap elements in the production are being used to a lesser extent focusing more on drumless & jazz rap for secondary influences.

Score: 4/5

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Boldy James – “Alphabet Highway” review

The hardest working Detroit artist today Boldy James enlisting V Don to produce his 14th full-length LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), he would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks, the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, coming off the Antt Beatz produced Hommage from last weekend to go on the Alphabet Highway.

“Finishing Touches” starts by talking about his resume not having any blemishes or smudges when he has only a few projects in his discography that stand out being mid at best whereas “R.S.N.S. (Real Street N***a Shit)” needs no further explanation regarding the subject matter. “Split the Bill” was an outstanding boom bap single explaining trigger happy & they ain’t even smiling while “Mrs. Porter” dabbles with trap going off to the horse races

Moving on from there, “No Guessing Games” assures his girl to chill out since all wounds will be healed in due time just before “Dr. Demento” talks about people being able to tell he’s up simply by looking at his chains & being in a standoff with the opps. “Entrapment” heads for an atmospheric direction asking if he’s speaking to an undercover fed & worried of setting himself up if he is, but then “Lemon Head Light” soulfully walks people down like he’s on papers they’re tryna take from him.

“Day Light Savings” goes drumless to talk about bottling up his pain in a pint & people tryna seal his fate while the piano-driven “Without Mention” explains that the streets turned his soul cold. “Smacking Foreigns” jazzily advises to never switch up on your members while “Quaker Oats” gets on the rap rock tip again tryna stack his chips until they touch the sky. “Bobert Horry” finishes Alphabet Highway with this killer tribute to current Los Angeles Lakers commentator & former player Robert Horry.

Some felt that Hommage was on the same level of mediocrity as Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, which I disagree with because I’d have to put it behind Hidden in Plain Sight as the finest examples of him pulling off that Detroit trap sound. Alphabet Highway if you’re familiar with V Don’s production style, most will find themselves enjoy as much if not more than Token of Appreciation over a month ago. The production that V Don cooks up here is more rawer & Boldy lyrically goes harder with the pen.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James – “Hommage” review

Detroit veteran Boldy James enlisting local trap producer Antt Beatz for his 13th studio LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), the Detroit lyricist would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks, the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, hoping Hommage would do the same with Alphabet Highway produced by V Don dropping next weekend.

“Back on Top” hooks up a Detroit trap instrumental begging to differ regarding people telling him they be making money now whereas “Off the Richter” featuring Baby Money finds the pair talking about it best to keep things pushing since your life can be taken in an instant. “Brick James” gives off an atmospheric Detroit trap vibe delving into the gangsta lifestyle he lives leading into “Tetris” co-produced by Helluva showing a boastful side to him.

Moving on from there, “Concrete Connie” takes a pint of red & paints the entire town hall just before “Met Me” featuring BandGang Lonnie Bands talks about being evil genius gangsta intellectuals. “Super Mario” offers to show y’all how to turn a pitbull into a bouvier while “Himothy Mcveigh” gives off a soulful Detroit trap vibe talking about being unable to stand these boujee ass dudes.

“Street Cred” continues to push further towards the final moments of Hommage going behind the scenes with the clip & warning him not to roll the credits while “Talk Nice” puts a west coast spin Detroit trap recalling losing sight once as a pup in the middle of a full-blown dog fight. “Dead Flowers” wraps things up making it rain on your head & calling that a head shower, only to leave ‘em dead in the middle of a field.

Arguably the hardest working artist in Detroit balancing quantity & quality gets everyone prepared for Alphabet Highway by linking up with Antt Beatz for a Detroit trap album ending the 1st quarter of 2025 that I enjoy almost as much as Token of Appreciation from last month. Antt’s production is on par with Carlo Anthony’s roughly 3 months ago, both features come correct & Boldy shuts down those complaining of him venturing out to trap with his lyrics.

Score: 4/5

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Boldy James – “Token of Appreciation” review

Boldy James teaming up with Chuck Strangers for his 12th full-length studio LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), the Detroit lyricist would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks, the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception as well so I went into Token of Appreciation hoping it would be better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink.

“B.O.B. (Big Ol’ Business) is this calming opener with Boldy making it very clear what he’s standing on regularly whereas “Whale Fishing” works in a drumless chipmunk soul instrumental talking about being aware of this shit coming with gun-smoke or a jail cell. “Big Paws on a Puppy” hooks up this piano refusing to lack & staying in double action while “Unapologetic” strips the drums again so he can talk about trying to a catch a blessing recollecting.

The synth-organs on “Lop Sided” are the most attentive detail about Chuck’s beat here zip-lining through the ghetto with his Concreature family just before “Global Telling” brings psychedelic jazzy flare to the table talking about his mother being extremely proud of his career taking off. “Thank God” continues the sampling giving praise to the Most High, but then “UPS” hops over a harp laying the demo down soon as they get ups.

“Fail Proof” officially gets the final leg of Boldy’s Token of Appreciation rollin’ to observe a plain that wasn’t protected from fallin’ flat on it’s face while “3rd Little Piggy” goes for a richly groovier vibe instrumentally unsurprisingly fucking with the bricks. “Bird’s Eye View” properly finishes the best thing that Boldy has made in the first 2 months of the year telling everyone the sky’s the limit from that very perspective.

Seeing people on social media saying Boldy’s beginning to fall off because Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink were both mid really must’ve caught his attention because he & Chuck Strangers just made every one of those idiots eat their words with an album on 2/27 Day that clears both it’s predecessors. Chuck’s production is far more well detailed than what we got from Boldy last month & his rapping sounds better in comparison.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James – “Hidden in Plain Sight” review

This is the 8th EP from Detroit veteran Boldy James. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), the Detroit lyricist would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven also became another essential until Penalty of Leadership surpassed it & Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave is up there too as is the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks at the beginning of the summer & The Bricktionary produced by Harry Fraud. A month after the latter, Carlo Anthony’s joining him for Hidden in Plain Sight.

“I.S.D.A.M.L. (I Sold Dope All My Life)” starts the EP with a drumless, funky instrumental talking about being in the drug game forever whereas “Dirty Dancing” reminds us that no one wins when the family feuds & wants to make sure y’all bring your dance shoes. The title track featuring Conway the Machine & Styles P brings a jazzier vibe to the beat spittin’ that gangsta shit & after the “Wire Taps” skit, “1st & 15th” featuring King Hendricks goes for a cloudy boom bap flare talking about supplying the coke.

ZelooperZ joins Boldy on “Big Wigs” fusing chipmunk soul & trap together sitting back as they watch everything blossom after going from being at the bottom to chillin’ at the spot sittin’ on $600K prior to “Brick James” swapping out the chipmunk soul elements of the previous joint in favor of jazz rap calling for Only the Family Entertainment founder Lil Durk to come home since he got arrested last month & sending his condolences to their biggest signee King Von, who was murdered several years ago.

Carlo’s primarily known the Detroit trap scene so a lot of people were expecting it to be a lot like The Bricktionary in terms of sound, but he completely proved everyone wrong by trying out sounds that’re new to his wheelhouse. His production goes from drumless to jazz rap, chipmunk soul, boom bap & cloud rap in the span of 18 minutes so Boldy James can finish off 2024 the way he started it: Applying pressure.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James – “The Bricktionary” review

Boldy James teaming up with Harry Fraud for his 9th full-length studio LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), the Detroit lyricist would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven also became an essential until Penalty of Leadership surpassed it & Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave is up there too as is the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks at the beginning of the summer, so I knew The Bricktionary would live up to my expectations.

“Pressing My Bunk” is this drumless opener promising that the new shit will make toes curl daydreamin’ of the big stage whereas “Rabies” featuring Benny the Butcher works in a guitar so they can rap about still trappin’ & having motion within the jungles. “Pillar to Post” takes the trap route instrumentally likening this shit to a vicious cycle feelin’ worn down just before “Speedy Gonzales” hooks up some sampling & hi-hats shakin’ the bag at record time

Tee Grizzley joins Boldy for the slick lead single “Cecil Fielder” getting on their authentic d-boy shit together prior to the chipmunk soul/trap hybrid “Ronald Bishop” talking about wanting people to stop calling him crazy. “Shrink Wrap” featuring Babyface Ray brings a cloudy trap vibe to the table flexing their dope game being as cold as it is while “Shadowboxing” hops over more soul sample chops & hi-hats sparrin’ with his demons.

“Harvey Grant” nears the conclusion of The Bricktionary by asking God to forgive him for his sins the evil in the hearts of men with a luxurious trap beat backing him, but then “Thuggin’” properly finishes the 3rd classic that Boldy’s put out this year soulfully admitting he’s got bad habits & furthermore explaining the moral of the story being that the 227 Concreatures were steadily cuttin’ them corners.

A lot like Penalty of Leadership & Across the Tracks respectively, Boldy James nears the end of what has been a prolific year for hip hop musically by going on a 3-peat in terms of releasing some of the very best music of his entire career. Harry Fraud’s production puts a bigger emphasis on the chipmunk soul undertones of its predecessors & throwing a hint of trap in the mix, allowing Boldy & his guests to spit game from The Bricktionary itself.

Score: 4.5/5

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Boldy James – “Across the Tracks” review

Detroit veteran Boldy James linking up with Conductor Williams for his 7th EP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set). He would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records for a little while before getting locked up but once Boldy came home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was followed up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally fantastic, but the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven also became an essential until Penalty of Leadership surpassed it & Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave is up there too, so hearing that Conductor was producing Across the Tracks sounded as thrilling of an idea on paper.

“Terms & Services” starts off with a soulful boom bap beat talking about the first brick he ever touched being the worst one whereas “All Madden” featuring Bo Jack goes for a cloudier approach instrumentally referring to themselves as the real apex predators. “Flying Trapeze Act” brings back the soul samples flexing the way his youngin’ be catching bodies leading into “The Ol’ Switcharoo” unsettlingly talking about the all-nighters giving him vertigo.

Meanwhile on “Undisputed”, we have Conductor dabbling with more of a trap sound so Boldy can remind everyone he got the right mix just before “Lamp Shade” goes drumless talking about them coming to confiscate his onions sooner than later. “St. Juliana” soulfully moves on from there staying 2 commas in & 7 figures strong, but then “Permission” featuring Double D keeps the sampling going talking about needing the ok from them to make the hit.

“Offwhite Lumberjack” nears the conclusion of Across the Tracks on some lo-fi rap rock shit acknowledging that he’s been fucked up in the head ever since they took Tonya from him later referencing the late アイアンマンヘビーメタル級王座, TNA World Tag Team Champion, WCW World Television Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 7-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, 4-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall prior to “Stamps in the Middle” wrapping up the EP jumping on top of victorious horns talking grey squares keeping the stamps dead in the middle of them & comparing the Cuban on his neck to that of a whole trophy made out of diamonds.

Boldy already dropped a top 10 album of 2024 in Penalty of Leadership right when it began & now he’s concluded the first half of the year by putting out an EP that’s as highly enjoyable. His lyricism is rawer than the previous LP’s personal themes & Conductor Williams’ spot as one of the most in-demand producers in hip hop today as well as the standout member of Griselda’s in-house production trio The Heartbreakers is reaffirmed demonstrating his range more.

Score: 4.5/5

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