A little over a year ago, Boldy James almost lost his life in a car accident. The 11 pieces that make up Penalty of Leadership were recorded during his recovery, which required weeks of rehabilitation since one of the vertebrae in his neck was broken.
The prolific rapper is among the best of recent years. The dozen albums he has released since 2020 are all of high quality and demonstrate the Detroit native’s talent as a storyteller. While many of his peers favor descriptive, detailed narratives, Boldy manages to paint scenes with more evocation of mood and emotion – Murderous Tendencies is a good example. Versatile, he offers his brilliant reflections with or without percussion, the drumless being a specialty of Nicholas Craven.
James Clay Jones III reveals himself more than usual on Penalty of Leadership. His words reflect both a greater vulnerability and a feeling of invincibility, a direct consequence of having come close to death. On the first excerpt, Brand New Chanel Kickswhich he recorded while wearing a neck brace and propped up in a wheelchair, Boldy confides: “ Countin’ my blessings, don’t know why he keeps sparing me “, grateful to still be with us.
On the side of beats, Nicholas Craven delivers possibly his most sophisticated selection yet. By the end of 2024, it is not impossible that Formal Invite, which opens the album, is among our songs of the year. For now, she is at the top. Minimalist and nostalgic, Jack Frostwhich follows, is very similar to what we could hear on the previous collaboration of the two artists, Fair Exchange No Robberyas Speedy Recovery. Rooms Evil Genius, Soccer Mom – our other favorite – and All My Tokens all possess a refinement worthy of the best rap producers.
We listened Penalty of Leadership about ten times since we got it and each listen makes it more satisfying. Sign of a completed work.
Rap
Penalty of Leadership
Nicholas Craven and Boldy James
Nicholas Craven Productions