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.