BJ the Chicago Kid

Latest Release

  • NOV 10, 2023
  • 15 Songs

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About BJ the Chicago Kid

Singer and songwriter BJ the Chicago has made a career of fusing old- and new-school R&B while becoming a go-to vocalist for the greatest rappers of his generation. • The Chicago native is from a very musical family. Both of his parents were church choir directors, and he grew up listening to healthy doses of gospel and R&B. • BJ had his life changed when his father took him to see Janet Jackson’s 1990 Rhythm Nation World Tour. The live panther during “Black Cat” really blew his mind. • When he was 19, he moved to Los Angeles and became a backup singer for the gospel duo Mary Mary. He soon began singing and writing songs for artists like Musiq Soulchild, Joe, and Mary J. Blige. • BJ sang on Stevie Wonder's 2005 album A Time to Love/i> and Kanye West’s 2006 single “Impossible,” from the Mission: Impossible III soundtrack. • After signing with Motown, BJ released his major-label debut, In My Mind in 2016. The album earned three Grammy nominations, including Best R&B Album. • His 2018 follow-up, 1123, brought two more Grammy nominations, including another for Best R&B Album. • The singer has guested on tracks by superstar rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Warren G, ScHoolboy Q, and Chance the Rapper.

HOMETOWN
Chicago, IL, United States
BORN
November 23, 1984
GENRE
R&B/Soul

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