Bo Jackson: Album Review
The Alchemist and Boldy James are a match made in heaven. On their third project together, the two sound like old friends catching up. The Alchemist’s gritty, dusty beats sound at home under Boldy’s low-key flows as we are treated to 14 tracks of Boldy bearing his heart out. The two also bring on a variety of guests who only add to the magic and showcase the power behind their artistic pairing. The Alchemist and Boldy James have a better connection than most artists who spend their careers together. There’s a deep care and understanding behind each track that we are blessed to vicariously experience their craft.
The Alchemist and Boldy James’ last collaborative effort, titled The price of Tea in China, was Boldy’s reintroduction to the mainstream for many. The project showcased the variety of skills that Boldy brings to the table. He is both a technically impeccable and lyrically intense artist. His stories grip you with their intensity as he takes you on rides through different streets in the Midwest. Since “The price of Tea in China,” both artists have been incredibly busy, with Boldy dropping three different projects and Alchemist dropping a few of his own.
Their newest project, Bo Jackson, is a loose tribute to the multi-sport legend of the same name. Bo Jackson represents an elusive kind of greatness that can take you past anything in the world. References to him appear in almost every skit on the album as Boldy goes through a metamorphosis into the “real Bo Jackson.” On the opening track he introduces himself by saying, “you've reached Bo Jackson. Probably up in the streets finaglin', finessin'” and throughout the project, he proceeds to show us all his methods.
The most striking part of this album is its consistency. There’s not a bad track on this project and every song has at least a couple of bars or flourishes that will blow your mind. Even the chiller tracks that center around a single loop like “Speed Trap” showcase the lyrical dexterity of Boldy. But, both artists take turns being the star of the show. A few tracks later on “Flight Risk,” The Alchemist takes the lead, crafting a mafioso-type beat that Boldy perfectly rides.
Behind Boldy’s lyrical dexterity are stories of desperation and reflections on a life that has taken away more than it has given. The track “First 48 Freestyle” is a fantastic example of this as Boldy talks about crisscrossing paths with people all over the country. Going from prison to prison, finding himself in different cities with different family members. He doesn’t glamorize or resent his life, he just tells us exactly what happened. The track also has the wildest flip of Tay K’s “The Race” in one of the most unlikely crossovers of the decade.
The greatness of these two feels inevitable. They have mastered a style that doesn’t age. It’s interesting to see how their careers continue to move in tandem, two legends of their cities continuing to innovate.