Boldy James & Harry Fraud on ‘The Bricktionary’ & Independence

Boldy James had one of the crucial highest years of his profession in 2025.

The rapper out of Detroit dropped 3 albums this yr with 3 other manufacturers — a layout that’s beginning to develop into his signature. On the most sensible of the yr, he launched Penalty of Management with Montréal-based manufacturer Nicholas Craven, then in June, he dropped Around the Tracks with fellow Griselda associate Conductor Williams, and previous this month he and Harry Fraud in the end connected up for The Bricktionary.

This actual mission has been years within the making, as the 2 have ran in the similar circles for some time now, turning into conversant in each and every different via Boldy’s cousin Chuck Inglish of the Cool Youngsters and assembly each and every different in particular person down in Austin for SXSW with the assistance of Motion Bronson and a block of resort rooms equipped to him by way of Reebok. Their chemistry within the studio mirrors their chemistry in particular person. Harry arrived past due to our interview on the Billboard New York places of work in Midtown on account of the site visitors, in fact, however something I spotted was once how Boldy lit up when he walked into the convention room the place we were speaking for approximately half-hour.

We talked with the duo about in the end running in combination, independence and simply existence on the whole. Take a look at our dialog beneath.

So, how did this mission got here in combination?

Boldy James: I met Harry Fraud proper when I met The Alchemist; it could’ve been at the identical day, or identical evening kind sh—t at SXSW. We were mentioned running, and I roughly misplaced focal point on target from the song for a minute, so we revisited the speculation of me and him completing a complete period mission. We finished it two years in the past and labored out all of the details out. Now the sector will get an opportunity to listen to it.

Harry: That was once my first time there. I’m there with Motion Bronson and had a host of resort rooms. He instructed everyone to roll with him, as a result of Reebok had given him a host of resort rooms. So, that will have to’ve been once we met. Clearly, again then, I used to be a distinct man, the use of various things… Over the years, I’d ship Bo a track to leap on, however I at all times had at the back of my thoughts that to paintings on a mission with him.

You guys have had this within the stash for 2 years?

Boldy: I take a seat on numerous song. Y’all don’t most often pay attention my song no faster than a yr or two when I make it. The newest, present so far, like song that I make up into the purpose the place y’all get an opportunity to listen to it’s possibly The Alchemist tasks and the Nic Craven tasks. The whole thing else most often take a minute to return out, as a result of we were given a hash out the structure, the industry preparations and agreements, you understand, phrases and stipulations.

Harry Fraud: The mission on the whole was once this type of very long time within the making. Boldy’s cousin, Chuck Inglish, was once the primary particular person to turn me song at the Web. Me and French [Montana] had been within the town, and we had been promoting mixtapes hand at hand. And at the moment, a man that I used to be sharing a studio with was once Chuck’s roommate in Chicago.

Chuck got here to town one time to our studio, and I’m running with French, we’re simply doing what we’re doing. And Chuck’s at the pc, and I’m like, “What you doin’?” And he’s like, “Yo, that is Nah Proper.” And I’m like, “What the f—k is that?” So, he’s like, “This can be a weblog.” I’m like, “What the f—k are you speaking about?” And he’s like, “Yo, that is the place folks submit your song at the Web. That is the way you get your song out.” And he arms me an electronic mail deal with and says I must ship them a track. So, I despatched them “New York Minute” and the remaining is historical past.

The entire time Chuck is round us and he’s telling us that his cousin is the most productive rapper you ever heard. I’m like, “The f—k is that this man talkin’ about?” You already know what I imply? Deadass. This man is speaking loopy. Then he begins appearing us a track right here and there and the man sounds loopy. And he like, “This my cousin, Boldy.” That is all of the long ago then. That’s the inception of me even short of to paintings with Boldy.

Boldy discussed you guys labored in this in combination in particular person.

Boldy: We did them at the spot proper then and there. That was once how me and Al paintings. We take a seat within the studio, Al prepare dinner up the beats, I take a seat there scribble my rap whilst he whipping up. Similar factor I did with H. Harry performed the beats. He sitting there with me, I’m smoking, writing, possibly consume one thing, communicate slightly sh—t, and I glance up, like, “Aye, H, I’m in a position. You in a position?” He pulls the beat up, and it’s showtime. We mainly did each and every file like that.

Harry: Yeah, we labored on each track in particular person. We had been staying in my space within the Hamptons in combination, after which we did some paintings at my studio in Brooklyn.

Boldy: I used to be telling him we didn’t do any electronic mail information.

Which is unusual at the moment.

Harry: Whilst you in point of fact get to understand Bo, that’s in fact the one technique to optimize him, in the case of us developing one thing that was once cohesive — it was once vital for us to be in combination. It’s essential for me with the fellows that I in point of fact care about as people and artists to be within the room with them. You already know my guys that I in point of fact create that s–t with, Bo, Benny [the Butcher], Dave [East], French, we’re within the room. The one one, I might say, now not — as a result of he lives to this point away and doesn’t commute all that a lot — is Spitta, however even with him our first stuff is in combination, and we roughly solidified the sound, so we will do it by way of electronic mail.

Phrase, you guys have constructed up a chemistry.

Boldy: Guy, this my actual brother. The original factor about this album is that I used to be completely positive at first of it — like the primary 80 p.c — however then the final 20 p.c, I broke my neck, again and f—king leg within the twist of fate. I may slightly stroll once I got here again to complete the remainder of it.

Harry: I’m in truth thankful that the album spanned the ones existence studies for him, as a result of I are aware of it’s cathartic for him in an effort to specific himself all the way through all the ones other chapters. I do know that permits him to get out no matter is inside of him. Simply even gazing my boy undergo that, it’s like, I will’t repair his neck, his again, however I will lend this to him to make him really feel higher, so he can determine no matter’s in his head. I really like striking out with him.

Boldy: I’m at all times pullin’ up.

Harry: Like, even the day gone by we’re within the studio, I didn’t even assume, “Oh, we’re gonna make song. I’m gonna pull up beats.” I simply haven’t observed my man shortly, so I simply sought after to cool.

Boldy: I used to be lifeless two hours prior to I were given to y’all. I used to be pullin’ up on my brother. I ain’t even inform them to chop a beat on nothin’. I were given there and fell asleep.

Harry: [Laughs.] I think like numerous folks don’t put sufficient price in that in this day and age. You gotta create actual chemistry to have musical chemistry. Speak about existence, discuss what’s occurring. We’re sitting there and he’s hanging me directly to a brand new man in Detroit that’s on YouTube the day gone by, and we’re giggling our asses off. You gotta create that thread. I think like we’re ready to do this without difficulty on account of all that lineage I described prior to. It’s simple for us to paintings. We had been by no means within the studio scratching our heads.

Boldy: Simply having him there is helping as a result of along with his historical past, his monitor file, I’m moreso having a look at him for that glance — like, “Yeah, we were given one” — when I’m executed with a track.

Harry: And he’ll let you know. When he would do a verse and I’m sitting there expecting it — as a result of there’s at all times a line or a metaphor, one thing I key in on — and I’m like, “Ahhh,” as a result of I’m this type of fan of him. It turns me up, it makes me wish to paintings tougher, it make me wanna refine it. And throughout the strategy of completing the album, I put such a lot drive on myself — as a result of I think like he did his process, so it was once my flip to check what he was once doing. It’s essential for me to step as much as the plate, even with the blending and stuff.

Boldy: When he despatched it to the primary dude, and dude did what he did to it — after they despatched it again, I used to be telling him, like, “It’s cool — however for some explanation why, I adore it how it sounded once we recorded it. So, simply combine it like that.”

Harry: From time to time, guy, you gotta have any individual that you just believe to shake you from your convenience zone, your procedure, to make you step again and understand, like, “Nah, they were given some extent.”

Boldy: You forgot about that pulse that be in your beats.

Harry: Precisely.

Boldy: A large number of occasions, if it’s referred to as for it, you’ll be able to strip the beat and simply have oil on vinegar. However with this sort of mission — I used to be telling him — I d–n close to felt like shall we’ve simply put it out like that with out 3 rounds of mixes.

Harry: He’s proper. After I went again and listened, we had captured the essence, and we had misplaced slightly little bit of that by way of making it too glossy, too polished.

Boldy: The explanation why the beats really feel like it is because the whole thing that’s occurring with it’s what it’s that we feeling. Whilst you get to stripping it and seeking to carry this again out? Nah, go away that s—t identical to that.

Do you employ a undeniable program? A definite beat gadget?

Harry: We used an MPC 2500, we used an MPC 2000 on some beats, we did some beats in Professional Gear. And on the finish of the day, we put the whole thing into Professional Gear to file his vocals and do the preparations and stuff like that. The true advent of the beats ranged from an MPC to an iPad to no matter. Something I noticed about myself is — possibly I were given ADHD or one thing — nevertheless it’s more uncomplicated for me to change issues up as a result of that provides me a brand new viewpoint, a brand new technique to way the beat, a brand new technique to create.

I do know you guys mentioned you recorded this in combination — however in the case of the sound, did you could have a pack of beats in thoughts already, or had been you making the beats as you went alongside?

Harry: After I know I’m running with any individual, I am going via all of the contemporary issues that I’ve made — they will not be completed beats — after which those that I do know or I think will give you the option to suit that artist, I’ll pass refine the beat, after which after they pull up, I’ll have a playlist. It could be 10 to twenty, after which I’ll take a seat down with with the artist and key in on what they prefer.

After I see what they’re keying in on for the mission, that permits me to then pass deeper and put extra beats in that zone. That’s the linchpin for me, I’m off to the races. He’ll let you know — the primary couple beats may had been extra geared to what he were doing with, say, Al [The Alchemist], as a result of I’m this type of fan and I’ve been paying attention to them.

That will affect you somewhat subconsciously.

Harry: Precisely, however then after I noticed him keying into positive beats, I knew the place he was once going. It don’t even need to be spoken.

And Boldy’s taste comes throughout so easy.

Harry: Neatly, you understand, it’s humorous, as a result of there’s been numerous nice MCs via time which might be ready to drag off a supply that some would say is, quote, unquote monotone, however take it into those other wallet — like, say, a Guru from Gang Starr. That’s a really perfect instance of that again then, however he’s a brand new realization of what it’s to provide you with that supply the place he’s now not doing circus tips along with his voice.

It’s the facility to do this in such away that now you’re locking in on what he’s pronouncing. After which when, such as you mentioned, at the 3rd or fourth or 5th pay attention you’re catching s–t the place you’re like, “Whoa, I didn’t even pay attention that the primary thrice.” That’s what the greats do.

One of the vital songs jogged my memory of ’80s police procedurals like Miami Vice, however then you definately discussed the cokewave s—t, you have to roughly pay attention that taste.

Harry: Yeah, that’s it, bro. If you happen to pass pay attention to Bo’s previous s—t too, you understand what I imply? That thread is in there too. It had a much like side road gritty really feel to it, and it was once like bringing the ones two issues in combination to create the vibe that we have got now. It’s like several the ones sounds, however delicate slightly bit. When I used to be in point of fact drawing near that is I sought after to listen to him with numerous bass within the monitor.

Boldy: There we pass.

Harry: And I think just like the low finish of this album, is not like anything else that Boldy has executed, the place, like, it’s an overly complete, spherical low finish. Whilst you put it within the automobile, that sh—t is gonna slam. It’s a movement image. It’s The Bricktionary, it’s the handbook. There’s now not numerous artists left that may let you know a tale with out it being a, quote unquote, tale rap.

He raps such as you’re sitting passenger aspect with him, rolling throughout the hood.

Boldy: That’s all that s—t is [Laughs.] We within the automobile all day, bro. Our children need to actually drag us out the automobile and in the home. Give me a hug, take a seat down and feature a chunk to consume with me or one thing. We at all times ripping and operating. I will’t take a seat nonetheless.

So, what’s the soundtrack for you whilst you’re at the street ripping and operating?

Boldy: I’m a foolish man. I pay attention to RxKNephew playing around. I pay attention to numerous drill song. I pay attention to Lil Durk greater than most likely anything else. I used to be burnt off the Pop Smoke. I may pay attention to slightly Nav. I pay attention to numerous Lil Child. I pay attention to numerous Long run. I pay attention to numerous s—t that I don’t rap not anything like.

Long run has a had a super yr. What’s it about his song that grabs your consideration?

Boldy: Long run is among the maximum gifted artists from our technology. I don’t even know the way he get a hold of the s—t he arise. The similar questions any individual asks me are the similar questions I might ask an artist like Long run and Jay-Z. Like, what the f—k was once you considering whilst you mentioned that loopy ass s—t?

Whilst you met Jay, you didn’t get an opportunity to invite him anything else like that?

Boldy: He’s now not a man I might ask numerous questions. I might extra take a seat again and soak the sport up. What the f—k can I inform him, rather than one thing that he most likely was once already inquiring about, and I most likely can’t in point of fact put him up on sport. I will simply give him some reassurance or one thing he most likely was once already considering, or checking out in his head anyway. That’s the OG. You don’t ever communicate a n—a like that to demise.

Harry: I swear I sought after to get him at the track we were given Benny on, but if I reached out, my touch mentioned he wasn’t recording. You gotta catch him when he’s in rapper mode.

You mentioned that you just experience round and raps pop up on your head as you’re taking on your surroundings.

Boldy: I experience round in one million buck Rolls Royce with the highest down. It’s simple to jot down the raps like that. I’m coming via my ghetto with the highest down, simply reflecting on how I was strolling round that b—ch with pop bottles. I used be round this b—ch promoting crack rocks, robbing, stealing vehicles, all varieties of hot-boy-ass s—t. God spared me. I were given a circle of relatives now, I’m wealthy, I were given a profession. It’s like my items are in the end outweighing my bads.

Is it surreal on occasion whilst you consider that?

Boldy: I simply at all times been pushed. You get what you set into the s—t. I put so much into this s—t, so I knew I used to be gonna get one thing out of it ultimately.

Harry: He’s a really perfect instance of that, as a result of it doesn’t matter what Boldy is doing in existence, he’s at all times running. He was once in L.A. final week, then he is going to Detroit, then he drove to my spot within the Hamptons. I don’t take that calmly that he will get in a automobile for 12 hours to return do that. That’s now not misplaced on me. It’s now not simply at his comfort, it’s an inconvenience, in fact. And that’s whilst you see if motherf—kers are in point of fact about it; when they’ve to inconvenience themselves to do one thing.

You two have identified each and every different for a minute, so why is that this the one mission you’ve put out?

Harry: As a result of we by no means pressed it. It’s all herbal. The whole thing comes when it’s intended to return, occurs when it’s intended to occur, and that’s the most productive genesis of one thing like this.

It’s natural.

Harry: Yeah, and something I’ve learned via running with him is that I’m a device for him. He’s now not becoming into my environment. I’m entering his and I’ve to determine easy methods to exist inside of that environment with out developing friction, pressure, drag, if you’ll, on a airplane flying, like letting him fly via his environment in his highest unity. A large number of issues with Bo I’ve had not to permit myself to get bent out of form along with his procedure or this or that. This is going for me too.

My procedure is, “Cool, pop out to my space that’s 3 hours out of doors of town so we will f—king lock the f—k in. We don’t were given the rest to do however rap, smoke weed, watch TV, no matter we’re doing, consume, growth, growth, growth.” Our perfect focal point is at the song. I believe it’s in point of fact essential for manufacturers to develop into manufacturers once more. If manufacturers wish to succeed in longevity, they gotta to determine easy methods to proceed to replace their procedure and tailor it to the artist that you just’re running with.

What do you employ to jot down? A notepad, your telephone? What’s your procedure like.

Boldy: Right here’s my procedure. I experience round, I call to mind just about what I wish to say, proper? After which sis will say one thing to me, or we could be at the highway, I glance up see a billboard, or a side road signal, after which, when Isee the suitable position, particular person or factor, it could write my entire rap for me simply off the process my day. I will’t give an explanation for it. It’s like my mind simply get to free up after which I take it to my telephone. However I’m simply seeking to bear in mind of all of the s—t that I in point of fact considering in my head and now I’m seeking to catch lightning within the bottle. Then, once I know I were given it, I am going to the studio and drop it.

You guys needless to say golden generation, but additionally grew up with the Web and watched the business shift as you had been bobbing up.

Harry: The ones partitions are tearing down. They don’t exist in the similar manner anymore. Relating to the scalability of the industry. We regulate all our sh—t. The rappers again then had obstacles and ceilings placed on them by way of company entities.

Boldy: And so they wasn’t as aware of the Web the place they make a mockery of people who’s getting finessed of their offers. Seeing that at the Web makes you wish to have to have extra industry sense whilst you way those offers and those corporations.

Harry: Yeah, as a result of we’ve observed the horror tales.

Boldy: This the feared phase: 20 folks getting paid prior to you, however you paying them from your pocket, however they rely your cash prior to you do, and pay you out of your personal exhausting paintings and exertions. Whilst you see an entire bunch of trial and mistake of that it makes you wish to have to reevaluate your state of affairs, or it makes you pass right into a state of affairs being extra knowledgeable.

Harry: You’ll be able to’t trick us with $100,000. No disrespect to any one from any generation, however you’ll be able to’t trick us. You’ll be able to’t shake $100,000 in entrance people and make us signal over our existence. We contact that during our sleep by way of hanging the song out by way of ourselves.

Boldy: Don’t do this, H.

Harry: I’m sorry. It simply hurts my emotions. It insults me. I will’t keep in mind the final mission I took up entrance cash for. I don’t need it. I’m at ease looking ahead to mine. I really like not on time gratification.

Boldy: I’ve the persistence of a sniper.

Harry: 100%, as a result of I do know what’s at the different aspect. If you happen to’re giving me this up entrance, you’re now not doing that out of the kindness of your middle. You’re doing that as a result of you understand at the backend, you’re gonna make like thrice extra. It’s like a sleight of hand from a magician. To get the cardboard from your ear, I were given to get your eyes over right here, after which I’m achieving over right here.

I peeped it so transparent from the interior that I instructed myself, I’ll by no means opt for that once more. My first deal was once a silly deal, however I used to be so hungry. You give me 180 grand for no matter, I’m like, “S—t.” Yeah, that was once a foul deal, however I realized the most productive lesson. Now we’re so fortified, guy, we regulate our future in such a lot of techniques.

And you wish to have to stick as unbiased as conceivable now.

Harry: I’ll by no means return to that existence. I’ll by no means alternate this music. I most effective need possession. The tale of what I do in industry hasn’t in point of fact been instructed at the entrance line but as a result of I’m in point of fact in my artist bag at the moment. However 10 years from now, persons are going to take a look at what I’ve been doing for the previous decade plus, and perceive what I’m in point of fact doing in industry and what kind of s—t I in point of fact have my arms in that no person is aware of about musically, they’ll understand that I figured this s—t out after which I’ll quietly arrange the following bankruptcy. That is what all of this has been a catalyst for.

The mainstream is surely paying consideration, they’re soaking up all of it, getting impressed, possibly biting slightly bit.

Harry: The sauce that those unbiased guys are bringing? They’re all soaking up it. The manufacturing, the manner of get dressed, to the best way they’re rapping, the whole thing.

A large number of occasions the mainstream stuff on streaming products and services are 20-30, songs lengthy and it appears like they weren’t within the studio with the manufacturers on occasion. A few of the ones albums don’t really feel cohesive, they sound like they only threw one thing in combination.

Harry: Utterly, and I began to appreciate that I used to be satisfied to be a mercenary for folks for a very long time. You rent me to return kill, I kill and go away. You already know, nevertheless it could be one track, it could be two songs. It would in your mission, proper? I’m satisfied to do this, however like I’m assured in my talent to do this. However what I noticed is that I’m extra glad artistically and as a human being with development those worlds with folks such as you mentioned, whilst you pay attention to it, it appears like a film. That makes me really feel extra glad.

You had been going for that anyway. You got here up in point of fact running intently with French, and maximum of Boldy’s tasks are with one manufacturer.

Boldy: You’ll be able to pass over large each techniques. He can go away a component out of the mission that possibly you can get running with a couple of manufacturers. However, you understand, it additionally might be tremendous cohesive with the whole thing you wish to have out the mission, as a result of there’s one manufacturer generating, particularly whilst you’re running with the professionals. They know that there’s an X quantity of style palettes that need this and that and this and this at the album. So they are attempting to meet all the ones appetites.

Harry: He’s very nonchalant about it, however whilst you in point of fact step again and consider the folk that gravitate in opposition to his nucleus, there’s were given to be one thing particular there. All of us gravitate to his skill, and that’s what conjures up the manufacturer to be nice. And in case you take a look at the fellows which might be round Boldy, I imply, it’s like, insane. It’s the actual snipers, it’s the actual ones. The blokes that in point of fact do that on the next stage.

Having a look at that from afar, there’s were given to be one thing in point of fact particular about this man. It’s a je ne sais quoi; you’ll be able to’t out your finger on it essentially. We will indicate all of the roughly nerd s—t facets of the rapping, however on the finish of the day, it’s handed all that. It’s a unique factor to paintings with artists like Bo.

Boldy: I respect that, champ.

He’s been on a run — that is your 3rd mission this yr.

Boldy: I were given numerous song. An afternoon within the existence with the mafia will write all your album, in order that’s my downside. I’m aware of one thing that numerous folks gotta pay to revel in. Most of the people were given to pay to visit the hood and grasp. They be getting extorted and pressed by way of n—as locally for them to even have the ability to come round. With me, we’re the group. If you happen to in point of fact like seeking to get impressed or you’ll be able to’t call to mind otherwise to be ingenious, musically, come hang around with us. It’ll open your eyes and expand your horizons, so that you’ll have the ability to scribble some s—t that someone else should learn a guide to understand one thing about this sort of s—t. That’s my merit, nevertheless it’s a curse too, you understand?

Harry: He’s insanely prolific. And in case you understand, for me, I at all times gravitate in opposition to artists which might be very prolific, as a result of I love to make numerous song. I’ve to make song whether or not I used to be a success with it or now not. It’s my treatment, it’s my manner I determine what’s occurring inside of my thoughts. It’s the whole thing for me. If I’m now not doing tasks with folks, you could most effective get to listen to 10 Harry Fraud beats a yr. That’s now not sufficient for me, I would like extra. I want to get it out of me.

What’s the tactic for subsequent yr? How you propose on attacking 2025?

Boldy: I wish to drop an album with my sister Double D. I would like me and Double to do a loopy ass complete period. Simply me and her and whoever she need at the album, as a result of she were given a greater ear for understanding artists out of doors of hip-hop, out of doors of side road rapping, all this drill rap s—t, she listens to slightly little bit of the whole thing.

Harry: I’ve so much. Me and Benny are most likely about 3 quarters away executed with The Plugs I Met 3. Me and Spitta were given a brand new album coming.

Y’all gotta put that tape out already.

Boldy: Me and Butch? I will’t rap higher than Butch. I’ma do the album with Benny and get Conway to jot down my raps [Laughs.] The ones my actual guys, bro. I really like West, I really like ‘manner, I really like Benny, guy. It’s love eternally with them, guys. I don’t by no means see us having no dangerous blood or falling out, having no pressure at the dating, I imply, however H will let you know, we just about were given a excellent pass judgement on of persona. Our circle, general, is numerous the similar avid gamers concerned. However like he mentioned, it’s in point of fact like a brotherhood there. It’s now not a falsified dating, only for, the needs of song and creating wealth off each and every different. Them n—as were given cash. H ain’t set to work with me.

Harry: That is the brand new magnificence of the unbiased guys which might be touching actual paper, and that makes us appreciate each and every different so a lot more, as it’s like, sure, we’re all excellent at song, however we’re additionally in point of fact excellent at industry.

Boldy: We’re the superstar childs of our households. We’re wiz children and those pretend thugs and s—t out right here within the streets, they don’t give sufficient credit score to the fellows which might be sensible. They are attempting to make being sensible nerdy, and nerdy now not cool. I embody the nerd in me. You’re feeling me. That’s what make my international spin. That’s what you’ll pay my expenses.

What are you a nerd about?

Boldy: A large number of issues. I’m an evil genius on numerous issues. That’s nerdy in a way.

What’s excellent with that Dilla tape? You had mentioned that the file is finished, forms is finished, you had been simply looking ahead to the suitable time.

Boldy: Shout out RJ Rice, and Younger RJ — Slum Village, Detroit s—t. Large RJ and me prayed over the album, and when it’s time, I do know he gonna put it out as a result of I’ve been catching numerous steam. I believe he simply waited till I were given again scorching to position it out for actual as a result of he didn’t need it to fall on deaf ears. It’s a excellent mission.