James Clay Jones III aka Boldy James was born in August 9th 1982 in Atlanta, GA to his parents James Clay Jones Jr. and Toni K. Broadus. 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. 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. He attended high school at Detroit Cooley, and dropped out after the 9th grade. It was at this moment when he begun to get involved in the streets and live the stories that you hear in his music today. There is a story behind James stage name Boldy James. He got the name from his friend from his block, James Osely III, who people in the neighborhood called Boldy. "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. 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 records BBQ Wings  and Tires . That was followed up by his record Gettin Flicked appearing on The Cool Kids 2010 mixtape Tacklebox. Also in 2010 he was featured on the record Fat Raps  remix alongside Big Sean, Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, Dom Kennedy, and Chuck Inglish. Boldy James and Cool Kid member and producer Chuck Inglish are cousins. On May 24, 2011 Boldy James released his solo debut mixtape Trappers Alley Pros and Cons. He released several videos from this tape including the fan favorites JIMBO , I Sold Dope All My Life  and Concrete Connie . The project went on to be named by Pitchfork as one of 2011's Most Overlooked Projects. The momentum continued in 2012, with the February 27th release of his follow up mix-tape, Consignment: Favor For A Favor the redi-rock mixtape. The project received great reviews from The Source, Pitchfork, and Stereo Gum. Also, Boldy began work on his untitled debut album, to be produced entirely by Alchemist. Boldy's is a uniquely paired-down style, relatively barren beats propped up by stanzas that fill their vacancies. He s a deft storyteller, spitting deceptively bare-bones bars with a distinct midwestern lean over icy instrumental avenues produced by his cousin, Chuck Inglish (formerly of the The Cool Kids), Chicago duo Blended Babies, and Huntsville heat-makers Block Beattaz. Neighbors Peechie Green, Poppy Bricks, and Kevo Da Kid make their presence known- Boldy is in good company in a town that many fled and proves that Detroit s not going anywhere.