Boldy James is an up-and-coming hip-hop artist from Detroit, Michigan, often grouped in with fellow midwestern artists like Danny Brown and Freddie Gibbs. He is signed to Legends at No Better Recordings, a subsidiary of the celebrated label Mass Appeal Records. His music is often considered to be part of the realm of gritty street rap, but his lyrics tend to focus on concisely and poetically painted stories of the hustler's lifestyle and his deep love for his hometown of Detroit. He rose to prominence with the release of his 2013 debut mixtape Trapper's Alley: Pros & Cons, which was met with acclaim from critics and fans alike. Since then, he has released multiple albums and EPs to similar critical reception, leading to a strong and growing fanbase. His most recent project, the album The Art of Rock Climbing, was released in 2020 and saw him team with some of rap's top producers.