Despite the various co-signs Boldy James has received from Nas, he says a recording deal is not yet one.

Word is that James is the first artist to have the ink dry over at Nas's Mass Appeal imprint, a new label helmed by Queens MC. Last year, Nas dropped a six-figure investment on the hip hop magazine, Mass Appeal, and took on the title of Associate Publisher. He's been active in developing the brand name, including an on-stage appearance with James at the MA showcase last month at SXSW.

"B O L DY J A M E S. #DetriotStandUp," Nas tweeted earlier this year.

But, James tweeted late Thursday (April 17), there is no contract in place. "Can I get a deal on the table 1st before people start with the rumors. Still the most slept on unsigned hype in the Game. #BoldyBlocks227."

The XXL Freshman class of 2014 contender is the cousin of Chuck Inglish of the Cool Kids and debuted with two songs via their 2009 Don Cannon mixtape, Merry Christmas. His first full-length solo mixtape dropped in 2011, Trappers Alley Pros and Cons, and his first album dropped just last year, My 1st Chemistry Set, an LP entirely produced by The Alchemist.

Meanwhile, Nas seems unfazed by the news cycle. He's still riding the energy of the Tribeca Film Festival, where he debuted his Time Is Illmatic documentary. "Aura. Last night was mad real. #TimeisIllmatic #TriBecaFilmFestival #IllmaticXX," he tweeted.

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(Photos: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)