BJ the Chicago Kid

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BJ the Chicago Kid
BJ the Chicago Kid.png
Sledge in July 2019
Background information
Birth nameBryan James Sledge
Also known asBJ
Born (1984-11-23) November 23, 1984 (age 40)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2001–present
Labels
Website bjthechicagokid.com

Bryan James Sledge [1] (born November 23, 1984), better known by his stage name BJ the Chicago Kid (or simply BJ), is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sledge is best known for frequently collaborating with Top Dawg Entertainment recording artists Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock. He has also worked with several other prominent rappers, such as Freddie Gibbs, Warren G, Nekfeu, Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., GLC, Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, and Joey Badass, among numerous others.

Contents

Sledge's first work in the music industry was on a Dave Hollister record in 2001, titled "For You", which he co-wrote alongside Gerald Haddon. Sledge's vocals were first featured on "Impossible", a 2006 song by Chicago rapper Kanye West released in promotion for the 2006 American film Mission: Impossible III . In February 2012, he independently released his debut studio album, Pineapple Now-Laters . Sledge subsequently secured a record deal with Motown, in August 2012. The label then serviced the Pineapple Now-Laters song "Good Luv'n", as Sledge's commercial debut single.

Life and career

1984–2008: Early life and career beginnings

Bryan Sledge was born to church choir directors in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Brainerd neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. [2] Sledge became inspired to pursue a music career after seeing Janet Jackson perform on tour. [3] At the age of 19, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became a backup singer for American gospel duo Mary Mary. He also performed on Stevie Wonder's A Time to Love (2005). He later wrote for R&B and gospel artists such as Crystal Aikin, Shirley Caesar, Lalah Hathaway, Joe and Kindred the Family Soul. [4] Later, he performed on Kanye West's single "Impossible," which also features Twista and Keyshia Cole. [5]

2009–2011: Mixtapes

In 2009, Sledge released his debut mixtape, A Taste of Chicago, under the moniker BJ the Chicago Kid. Later that year, he followed up with The New Beginning. In 2011, he released his third mixtape, titled The Life of Love's Cupid. [6]

2012-2016: In My Mind and Motown record deal

In February 2012, Sledge independently released his debut studio album, titled Pineapple Now-Laters, under M.A.F.E MUSIC LLC. In August 2012, it was announced that Sledge signed a recording contract with American record company, Motown. [7] After inking his new deal with the label, Motown Label Services began promoting the Pineapple Now-Laters track "Good Luv'n," at Urban and Rhythmic radio formats in North America and released it as a single via digital distribution. [8]

In February 2013, Sledge released the track titled "Honey." Sledge's collaboration with American rappers Freddie Gibbs and Problem, titled "Smokin' and Ridin'", is featured on Radio Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V , the fifth installment in the critically acclaimed video game series. In October 2013, Sledge revealed he began working on his major label debut, which was then announced to be released sometime in 2014. [6] Later that year, in December 2013, Sledge released a Christmas-themed extended play (EP), titled A Soulful Christmas, for free online. [9]

On April 22, 2014, West Coast rapper Schoolboy Q released "Studio", which features vocals from Sledge, as the fourth single from his album Oxymoron . "Studio" acquired Sledge Billboard chart placement and went on to chart in the Top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100. On November 19, 2014, Sledge released his fourth mixtape, The M.A.F.E. Project. The mixtape features 12 songs and guest appearances from Freddie Gibbs, Sasha Go Hard, Schoolboy Q and Smoke DZA. [10] On December 23, 2014, Motown Records released a song from The M.A.F.E. Project titled "It's True", which features a verse from Schoolboy Q, as a single. The single was accompanied by a music video directed by Verluxe. [11] [12]

On February 19, 2016, Sledge released his major label debut album, In My Mind (2016), featuring collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., and Kendrick Lamar. The album’s standout tracks, including "Church" and "Turnin’ Me Up," solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary R&B.

Continued Success and Grammy Recognition (2017–Present)

Sledge continued to release music that resonated with fans, including the mixtapes The Lost Files: Cuffing Season (2016), and A Tribute to Confessions (2017). In 2018, he released the EP The Opening Ceremony.

His third studio album, 1123 was released on July 26, 2019. [13] . The album earned him two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album, and Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song Time Today.

In May 2023, it was announced that BJ The Chicago Kid had signed with the RCA Records distributed label Reach The World, which was founded by producer Yeti Beats. [14] . Primarily produced by Yeti Beats, Sledge released his fourth album, Gravy (2023), further showcasing his evolution as an artist.

Discography

Studio Albums

EPs

Mixtapes

Music videos

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released
TitleYearDirector(s)
"Good Luv'n"2012Jerome D. [15] [16] [17]
"Perfect"2014
"Real Love Never Dies"
"It's True"
(featuring Schoolboy Q)		Verluxe [18]
"That Girl"
(featuring OG Maco)		2015—
"Church"
(featuring Chance the Rapper and Buddy)		Scott Lazes [19]
"Nothin' But Love"
(featuring Joey Bada$$)		—
"The Resume"
(featuring Big K.R.I.T.)		Scott Lazes [20]
"Love Inside"
(featuring Isabella)		2016—
"Turnin' Me Up"
"The New Cupid"
(featuring Kendrick Lamar)		Matt Barnes
"Woman's World"—

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards
YearCategoryNominated workResult
2014Best Rap/Sung CollaborationStudio - Schoolboy Q Featuring BJ The Chicago KidNominated
2017Best R&B AlbumIn My MindNominated
2017Best R&B PerformanceTurnin' Me UpNominated
2017Best Traditional R&B PerformanceWoman's WorldNominated
2020Best R&B Album1123Nominated
2020Best Traditional R&B PerformanceTime TodayNominated
2021Best Traditional R&B PerformanceBring It On Home To Me - BJ The Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, Kenyon Dixon & Charlie Bereal Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Bryan Sledge". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "How BJ the Chicago Kid Broke Out of Brainerd and Onto FM Radio". Pollock, Matt. Chicago. 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  3. ↑ "Family - Who Is BJ the Chicago Kid? - Complex". Drake, David. Complex. 2013-05-05. Archived from the original on 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
  4. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "BJ the Chicago Kid | Biography & History". AllMusic . Archived from the original on 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  5. ↑ Drake, David. "Who Is BJ the Chicago Kid?". Complex. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Exclusive GRAMMY.com Interview With BJ The Chicago Kid". GRAMMY.com. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original on 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  7. ↑ HipHopDX (3 August 2012). "BJ The Chicago Kid Signs To Motown". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Hip-Hop News, Rumors, Rap Music & Videos |AllHipHop » BJ The Chicago Kid Joins Universal Motown Family With Newly Signed Record Deal". AllHipHop.com. 2012-08-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  9. ↑ Sargent, Jordan (2013-12-24). "Download BJ The Chicago Kid's New Holiday EP "A Soulful Christmas"". Complex.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  10. ↑ "Listen To BJ The Chicago Kid's 'The M.A.F.E. Project'". Vibe. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  11. ↑ Zeichner, Naomi. "BJ The Chicago Kid And Schoolboy Q Premiere "It's True" Video". The FADER. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Watch BJ The Chicago Kid's "It's True" Video f/ Schoolboy Q". Complex. Archived from the original on 2015-01-21. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  13. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (June 21, 2019). "BJ the Chicago Kid Announces New Album 1123, Shares New Video With Offset: Watch". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  14. ↑ Fekadu, Mesfin (2 May 2023). "BJ The Chicago Kid Signs to Doja Cat Producer Yeti Beats' New Label in Joint Venture With RCA Records (Exclusive)". Hollywoodreporter.com. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  15. ↑ "GOOD LUV'N on YouTube". YouTube . 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  16. ↑ "BJ The Chicago Kid - Perfect on YouTube". YouTube . 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  17. ↑ "BJ The Chicago Kid - Real Love Never Dies on YouTube". YouTube . 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "BJ The Chicago Kid Learns No One Escape Death On Schoolboy Q Assisted 'It's True'". Vibe. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "BJ The Chicago Kid "Church" (Scott Lazes, dir.)". VideoStatic.com. 9 October 2015. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "BJ The Chicago Kid "Resume" (Scott Lazes, dir.)". VideoStatic.com. 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.

Notes

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