Nicholas Craven & Boldy James - Fair Exchange No Robbery (Album)
Since first appearing in August with their “Power Nap” single that followed up with “Scrabble” in the following month, Canadian producer Nicholas Craven & Detroit native Boldy James decided to continue with their collaborated efforts to complete a 10-track album titled “Fair Exchange No Robbery.” In the days before dropping, Nicholas shared the cover art & tracklist, which began building up anticipation for hip-hop listeners like myself to be ready and prepared on Sept 30th for the release. No doubt, this album has instantly become a favorite for the majority of hip-hop connoisseurs, where many outlets have begun featuring it as a must-hear project and giving it much-deserved praise. We want to make sure to do our due diligence on our end in making sure our viewership is aligned with showing respect to the album’s release.
The album opens up with Nicholas's production revealing a harmonious sample in “…Straight & Tall” that floods the heavens with grace, whereas right after, Boldy delivers an illustrious set of raps designed with come-up conversation and plug talk. Boldy makes shit sound so smooth when he’s connecting his suave demeanor over the immaculate production. It’s like Escobar walking through the sixteen chapel, elegant yet frightening. Take the following record, “Stuck In Traffic,” where Boldy doesn’t let the beat breathe; instead, he fumes it with the kitchen aroma after the pot runs hot from cooking the dope throughout the night. It’s a gritty description but on par with Boldy’s pen, especially when he gets to rhyming in elegant nature.
“Tell whoever looking for me I’m somewhere stuck in traffic. Start leveling up in the streets soon as I cut the baggage.”
Nicholas Craven’s production is floating across the same seas where gold is found; his beat is clutching with a soulful essence mixed in the same shit that got El Chapo's business started. Don’t believe me? Listen to the album, or better yet, here’s an example for you, “Monterey Jack” is one of the toughest beats I’ve heard; shit sounds like my phone is being wiretapped when the record is playing. Add Boldy James’s prestigious bars over the best, and you got me looking at 12-15 years hearing this drug talk. Speaking on the same subject, “Designer Drugs” got me feeling like I’m in the 80s having dinner with Frank Lucas. The production is flawless, of course, and Boldy doesn’t shy away from pulling up 81 points like Kobe’s legendary game and serves up heaps of the garment narcotic chatter in impeccable form. This album is all hits, no misses, and guarantee there is plenty of replay value; trust me, it’s been on heavy rotation throughout my weekend and plans to be until the end of the year.
Nicholas Craven is on a hot streak with production in projects from his collaboration with Chung & now with Boldy; the sky is the limit to seeing what is next on his end. Boldy is still on track to release his next album that is said to feature J. Dilla production and his Griselda debut on the horizon, so it’s all coming in strong right now for Boldy James. If this album isn’t in your top ten currently, then you need to leave the rock you’ve been under and listen; in the meantime, continue sharing the album on all social media avenues and get someone new hooked to the illustrious sounds.