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Boldy James & Cuns Unleash Collaborative Album, “Be That As It May”

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Griselda’s Detroit representative has established himself as one of the greatest lyricists working today with four excellent albums this year. Boldy James has just dropped his fourth collab of the year, Be That As It May with Cuns. Moreover, the Italian producer takes a lush and boom-bap-heavy approach to matching Boldy’s lyricism. In fact, the previous single “Foot Prints,” with its grand samples and hard-hitting percussion, was a great sonic indicator of the greatness to come.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Boldy James of The Alchemist x Boldy James performs during the NBA Leather tour at The Warfield on February 01, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Still, this album does have its surprises. Cuns’ production is a bit more crisp, orchestral, and rooted in ’90s era hip-hop when it comes to sample choices and sequencing. While albums like Mr. Ten08 took things in an electronic or contemporary direction on occasion, the production here is rooted in soulful styles. If anything, it goes to show the 40-year-old MC’s consistent versatility, appeal, and quality.

Moreover, Bo’s been on a hot streak. Over the past twelve months, he released Super Tecmo Bo with The Alchemist, Killing Nothing with Real Bad Man, Fair Exchange No Robbery with Nicholas Craven, and Mr. Ten08 with Futurewave. In fact, he dropped Be That As It May almost exactly a year after his 2021 Alchemist collab. What’s more is that they’re all excellent.

Across this album in particular, Boldy is both a fantastic narrator for life experiences and a consistently confident spitter. His descriptions are intricate, his wordplay is creative yet grounded, and his delivery is so engaging that you won’t notice a flow switch-up. In other words, it’s smooth as butter, and the grueling themes in “Earned Not Given” and “God Speed” come through vividly. It’s all made for some of the best albums of the year.

What did you think of this album and the Detroit MC’s run this year? Do you have a favorite? Are you looking forward to that J Dilla-produced project? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments. If you have to catch up, peep the tracklist below and find Be That As It May by Boldy James and Cuns on your preferred streaming service. Also, stay tuned to HNHH for more great albums from the game’s best MCs.

Tracklist

  1. OT Commute
  2. Earned Not Given
  3. Safe Keeps (Ft. Lord Apex)
  4. Foot Prints
  5. Daydates & Daytonas
  6. God Speed
  7. 2.2 Lbs
  8. Quinine (Ft. Bo Skeet & Taj Mahal)
  9. Travel Lodge
  10. Pepper Jack
  11. Closure

Ransom, Lloyd Banks & V Don Unleash “Short Notice”

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High-caliber MCs are still feeding hip-hop fans all the way to the end of the year. Ransom and V Don are the latest to announce new music, as they’ve linked with Lloyd Banks to release the single “Short Notice.” The track seemingly comes in anticipation of another collab between the New York rapper and producer. They’ve announced Chaos Is My Ladder, an upcoming project from the two set to release sometime this December. Moreover, it follows a streak of quality singles and collaborations, from his October track “Sinatra’s Demons” to “Band of Brothers” with Benny the Butcher and 38 Spesh.

As expected, “Short Notice” is a no-frills track with heavy East Coast energy, from the dominant and emphatic performances to the heavy drums. There’s also some great sample work on display, with a rich instrumental pallet that makes the beat varied. For example, there are shimmering chimes, a passionate string section, acoustic guitar chords, and atmospheric keys. It may sound like a lot, but the way different elements come in and out of the song’s structure and mix is dynamic. It shows V Don’s versatility and production talent, who recently released a sharp collab album with Willie The Kid.

Meanwhile, Ransom and Lloyd Banks also hold their bars to that high standard. They’re able to give the lush beat a raw edge through their flows and authoritative deliveries. If anything, it shows how timeless and universal this sound is, and how it’s still able to captivate. They have a lot of legacy to uphold, as Lloyd Banks paid tribute to his late manager Hovain.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 13: Lloyd Banks “The Course Of The Inevitable 2” Album Listening Party at Quad Studios on July 13, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

In terms of subject matter, the MCs address familiar street tales and attitudes with detailed perspectives. Also, their rhyme schemes don’t crumble under the weight of hardened upbringings and lost friends. As they rap about their credibility and movement, they are still hyper-focused on engaging flows and lines to back up their experiences.

You can find “Short Notice” by Ransom, Lloyd Banks, and V Don on your preferred streaming service. Also, you can find some notable lines from the single below and stay tuned to HNHH for the release of Chaos Is My Ladder this December.

Quotable Lyrics

It’s time we even the score, but if we both shootin’
No way we leavin’ a draw, this game, we sweep ’em in full
You gotta judge a team on how they leavin’ the court,
Heads high, it’s no Biggie, like homie from Bed-Stuy,
Now we don’t need your support ’cause my n***as gon’ get by

Boldy James & Cuns Mark Their “Foot Prints”

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As one of the premier lyricists working today, this Detroit MC’s prolific output makes his Wednesday drops just as fresh as all the new Friday releases. Boldy James released a new single this week with Italian producer Cuns titled “Foot Prints.” The smooth boom-bap track is the lead single off their upcoming collaborative album, Be That As It May. Moreover, the album drops on December 14th. Moreover, it follows the rapper’s last 2022 project, Mr. Ten08 with producer Futurewave.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Boldy James of The Alchemist x Boldy James performs during the NBA Leather tour at The Warfield on February 01, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

What’s more is that this project will mark Boldy’s fifth collaborative effort in a year. Super Tecmo Bo with The Alchemist released last December, and is still in heavy rotation for many. Also, he dropped three albums that are considered some of the best hip-hop of the year. There was Killing Nothing with Real Bad Man, Fair Exchange No Robbery with Nicholas Craven, and the aforementioned Mr. Ten08. With so much heat in such a short amount of time, Boldy has established himself as one of the top dogs of the moment. It’s rare to hear a bad verse from him, and his status is respected from the underground to the legends.

Such consistency is evident on this track as well, with classic flows, clever wordplay, and vivid narrations and proclamations. Sure, he told a street narrative not unlike those penned on his critically acclaimed The Price of Tea in China. However, Boldy is able to make those tales feel fresh and immediate with every new track. He dominates through sharp lines like “Bust down could barely brace it on the wrist that I cooked with” and “Broke dance the whole satchel got some blow to hit harder than shrapnel.”

On the production end, Cuns displays a creative command of sampling, balancing his vocal chops with another guitar track and a chunky drum loop. All these elements come in and out of the track, they all have moments to shine, and the beat feels balanced as a result. Be That As It May is sure to be a varied project, production-wise. The Detroit MC spit comfortably on this track, even if it’s a tad more straightforward than the minimal or even electronic-inspired production he’s also ridden. For some great examples of Boldy’s diverse production, check out “Disco Fever” and “Hot Water Tank.” He’s even working on a J Dilla–produced project.

What did you think of this new Boldy James and Cuns track, “Foot Prints”? Let us know in the comments below and whether you’re looking forward to Be That As It May on December 14th. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find “Foot Prints” on your preferred streaming service. Peep some standout lines from the single below, and stay tuned to HNHH for, well, hot new hip-hop.

Quotable Lyrics

Ain’t a n***a in my city that don’t know me for trapping
Ask that n***a, “Did he have a Benz before he was rapping?”
I remember pushin’ yams, selling dope in the Saturn
Before I ever took an advance the Rollie was platinum