Real Bad Boldy is Boldy James’s fourth project of the year, and it’s another strong effort. His Griselda debut The Versace Tape was a solid EP, and The Price Of Tea In China (with The Alchemist) and Manger On McNichols (with Sterling Toles) are both top 20 albums of the year.

“With Real Bad Boldy, I’m talking about my life before music; before I caught this second wave that I got right now. Things that I am into, this art of hustling” Boldy commented.  “I didn’t really make it in this industry as a youngin,’ I made it once I got a little older and I feel I am in my prime now.  I had a life before music and that’s what I rap about. I’ve lived enough life to where it writes the music for me. I don’t have to recap, or reflect, back on it too hard because this is my real life.  This isn’t me taking something I’ve seen, or been fascinated with and creating a fictional truth out of it, because I’ve seen it.  I am not a “seen it” kind of guy.  I am a “lived it type of guy, and this is what it sounds like when you’ve really lived it.”

Real Bad Boldy (is it an EP? or an LP?) runs for just under 30 minutes, its brevity causing it to feel more lightweight than Boldy James’ two real full-lengths that were released this year. The ten tracks we get are all great though, with atmospheric beats (all produced by Real Bad Man), strong lyricism, and a couple of well-placed features from the likes of Meyhem Lauren, Stove God Cooks, Eto, Mooch, and Rigz.

Boldy James is 2020’s MVP. 75/100