Video: Boldy James – “Maserati Rick“

The Gritty Detroit Griot Counts Bills and Whips Around His Hometown in the Video for the House of Blues Highlight

3.29.2017

Critical Praise:

“…he’s a rapper for whom content is style, whose subtle poetic gifts are dependent on the seeming veracity of the concrete heart of the stories he tells.” – Pitchfork

“…this ‘Maserati Rick’ single from another upcoming mixtape, House of Blues, sounds like the sorta shit that’ll ensure that [Boldy James’] in enough demand to never have to take a break from rap again.” – Passion of the Weiss

The Video:

A well-respected emcee in the Detroit underground, Boldy James spits densely detailed rhymes about life in his hometown. Counting cash and pouring lean while preparing his fleet of luxury sports cars, Boldy channels one of the Motor City’s most notorious drug lords in “Maserati Rick.” Rocking a laconic flow over a sparkling, stuttering production, Boldy prowls the streets of Detroit while wearing sunglasses at night. A departure from the gritty soundscapes on which he made his name, the trap-influenced production of “Maserati Rick” is indicative of the atmosphere of House of Blues, Boldy’s latest mixtape. Premiered by HipHopDX, “Maserati Rick” is an engaging and charismatic track for the gym or for the turn-up, proof that Boldy James does not need to sacrifice his lyricism in service of a more mainstream mode.

Born in Atlanta, but raised on the Eastside of Detroit, Boldy James gained a reputation in critical circles for hard-hitting, raw bars. He first gained acclaim for his 2011 mixtape Trapper’s Alley Pros and Cons, which Pitchfork named one of that year’s Most Overlooked Mixtapes. With his unique style gaining attention throughout the blogosphere, James released his debut album My 1st Chemistry Set, a full-length collaboration with The Alchemist, in 2013, catching the ear of Nas, who signed Boldy to Mass Appeal Records in 2014. Marking a new era for Boldy James’ sound, House Of Blues is an accomplished effort, with Boldy’s trademark lyrical grit co-mingling with new musical elements to create a fresh, modern take on Boldy’s Detroit street tales. His second release of the year, House of Blues followed his EP The Art of Rock Climbing, which was Boldy’s first release since 2015.