Yesterday (April 17), several publications reported that Boldy James signed under Nas’ new Mass Appeal imprint. Boldy James says that the reports are unfounded.
“Can I get a deal on the table 1st before people start with the rumors. Still the most slept on unsigned hype in the Game. #BoldyBlocks227,” James said in a Twitter post yesterday following published reports on the supposed signing.
James, who only follows 9 people on Twitter, one of whom is Nas, has earned critical acclaim for his work as an emcee. In 2013, when James released the Alchemist-produced project My 1st Chemistry Set, the rapper was celebrated for his work. “Throughout the whole project, James is consistent, even when transitioning from understated brags to self-conscious street worries,” HipHopDX said in its review of the project. “Particularly with his penchant for witty slang, his style doesn’t seem derived or lifted despite obvious similarities. Still, he’s sure footed enough to know where he stands.”
In March, Nas brought Boldy James out for his SXSW showcase, an event that also included appearances from Bishop Nehru and Fashawn. Fashawn spoke with HipHopDX about the experience soon after, saying he and Nas have “a lot of things brewing” for the future.
In October 2013, Boldy James spoke with HipHopDX about wanting to work with Nas. “Nas, Jay [Z], Scarface and the legends from a couple eras before my time,” he said, when asked about who he would want to collaborate with. “Mothafuckers like that, who I think are really talented and just passionate. They’d do me some justice on the track. I get a lot of complaints for putting niggas from around my way on songs. A lot of my fans thought that I could’ve taken the song to the head, or they wanted to hear more from me. I have to shine light on those dudes, because I don’t know who else would. It’s a gift and a curse being a good nigga, man.”
Boldy James’ tweet from yesterday is as follows:
Can I get a deal on the table 1st before people start with the rumors. Still the most slept on unsigned hype in the Game. #BoldyBlocks227
— Block Works (@BoldyJames) April 18, 2014
