The Versace Tape - Boldy James

I’ve been following Boldy James for about a year now, but I’ve yet to listen to his discography in its entirety. This inability can be attributed to the rate at which the Detroit rapper releases projects, as he releases multiple tapes within each calendar year. Upon finding Boldy, I fell in love with his beat selection and nonchalant flows. For my most recent run, I dove into his 2020 record The Versace Tape.

Although many may think the name of this project is an ode to the famous fashion brand, it is actually named after Vine star turned producer Jay Versace, who produced the project in its entirety. Within the last couple of years, Versace has gone on to work with talents such as Tyler, the Creator and Freddie Gibbs.

At the forefront of the album, track number 3 “Nu Wave” caught my attention. Sampling Black Ivory’s 1972 track “I’ll Find a Way”, Boldy effortlessly rhymes about his past experiences. Further on into the album, tracks like “Brick Van Exel” and “Monte Cristo” were standouts, pushing me through my run. 

On the last of the ten tracks, Boldy teams up with Griselda Records contemporary and Buffalo native Westside Gunn, whose presence is made evident within seconds with his famous ad-libs. The pairing take their turn rapping over a heavenly beat, closing out the tape on a strong note.

Whether you’re already familiar with the works of Griselda or a fan of elegant music, Boldy James and The Versace Tape is a must-peep. Despite my tired legs, Boldy’s infectious flows and Versace’s masterful production kept me putting one foot in front of the other.