BJ_the_Chicago_Kid

BJ the Chicago Kid

BJ the Chicago Kid

American singer and songwriter (born 1984)

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.

Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...

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–present: 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".

Sledge released his third studio album, 1123, on July 26, 2019.[13]

In May 2023, it was announced BJ The Chicago Kid signed with the RCA Records distributed label Reach The World, which was founded by producer Yeti Beats.[14]

Discography

Studio albums

More information Title, Album details ...

Collaborative albums

More information Title, Album details ...

EPs

More information Title, Album details ...

Mixtapes

More information Title, Album details ...

Singles

As lead artist

More information Title, Year ...
More information Title, Year ...

Guest appearances

More information Title, Year ...

Music videos

More information Title, Year ...

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

More information Year, Nominee / work ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Bryan Sledge". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  2. [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. [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. [4]
    Kellman, Andy. "BJ the Chicago Kid | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  5. [5]
    Drake, David. "Who Is BJ the Chicago Kid?". Complex. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  6. [6]
    "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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [15]
    "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016.
  16. [16]
    "In My Mind by BJ the Chicago Kid on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  17. [17]
    Grant, Shawn (November 10, 2023). "BJ The Chicago Kid Drops Collaborative Album "Gravy" with Yeti Beats - The Source".
  18. [18]
    "BJ The Chicago Kid: Keeping the Soul in Music with 'Gravy'". BET.
  19. [19]
    Sargent, Jordan. "Download BJ The Chicago Kid's New Holiday EP "A Soulful Christmas"". Complex. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  20. [20]
    "The Opening Ceremony – Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on iTunes". iTunes Store (AU). 11 May 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  21. [21]
    "B.J. the Chicago Kid - A Taste Of Chicago [Mixtape] - Okayplayer Okayplayer". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  22. [22]
    "BJ The Chicago Kid - The New Beginning (Mixtape)". 9 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  23. [23]
    "BJ The Chicago Kid - The Life of Love's Cupid (Mixtape) - Free Download - SoulCulture". SoulCulture. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  24. [24]
    "Good Luv'n - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid". iTunes Store. Apple. January 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  25. [25]
    "It's True - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid". iTunes Store. Apple. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  26. [26]
    "That Girl - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid". iTunes Store. Apple. 13 July 2015. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  27. [27]
    "Church - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  28. [28]
    "The Resume - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  29. [29]
    "Love Inside (feat. Isabella) - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  30. [30]
    "Woman's World - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  31. [31]
    "Turnin' Me Up - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  32. [32]
    "Man Down (feat. Buddy, Constantine & PJ Morton) - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  33. [33]
    "The New Cupid (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - Single by BJ the Chicago Kid on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  34. [34]
    "Alice Ivy Announces New Album 'Do What Makes You Happy', Plots National Tour". Purple Sneakers. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  35. [35]
    "Impossible (feat. Twista, Keyshia Cole & BJ) - Single by Kanye West - United States". iTunes Store. Apple. January 2006. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  36. [36]
    "Kanye West – Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  37. [37]
    "In the Zone (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by David Banner". iTunes Store. Apple. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  38. [38]
    "iTunes - Music - Crazy Generation (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid, Muzicgeek & Cash Gotti) - Single by Black Collar Biz". iTunes. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  39. [39]
    "iTunes - Music - Last Dance (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Rapper Big Pooh". iTunes. 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  40. [40]
    "Ride Out (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Koache on Apple Music". iTunes. 23 January 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  41. [41]
    "Cookie Addiction (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Jay IDK on Apple Music". iTunes. 3 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  42. [42]
    "Naturally (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid & Casey Veggies) - Single by DJ Carisma on Apple Music". iTunes. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  43. [43]
    "Issues (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Gary Soulz on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  44. [44]
    "Cheating on Us (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Salaam Remi on Apple Music". iTunes. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  45. [45]
    "Lost Wild (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Bobby Hagens on Apple Music". iTunes. 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  46. [46]
    "Forever Black America Again (feat. Gucci Mane, Pusha T & BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Common on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  47. [47]
    "Angels Your Love (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Mr. Jukes on Apple Music". iTunes. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  48. [48]
    "Real One (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) - Single by Peter James on Apple Music". iTunes. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  49. [49]
    Tony, Copper. "Marcus Orelias: We On (Must Be) (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) [prod by Jay B] [Music Video]". KevinNottingham.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  50. [50]
    Ortiz, Edwin (7 Feb 2014). "Here's the Cover Art and Tracklist for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's Upcoming Album "Piñata"". Complex.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 7 Feb 2014.
  51. [51]
    Lilah, Rose (25 July 2014). "Punch - A Project Mind Feat. Jay Rock & BJ The Chicago Kid". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  52. [52]
    "iTunes - Music - Rise of the Antihero by Nefew". iTunes. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  53. [53]
    "You Should Be Here by Kehlani on Apple Music". iTunes. 28 April 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  54. [54]
    "The Ecology by Fashawn on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-02-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  55. [55]
    "Ingleworld 2 by Skeme on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-06-09. Archived from the original on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  56. [56]
    "Compton by Dr. Dre on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-08-07. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  57. [57]
    "Achromatik on Twitter: "Shout out to @BJTHECHICAGOKID. Our song "Real One" will be out soon. Here's a little bit of the behind the scenes; "". Twitter. 2015-12-14. Archived from the original on 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  58. [58]
    "Cozy Tapes, Vol. 1: Friends by A$AP Mob on Apple Music". iTunes. 31 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  59. [59]
    "Lil Durk - They Forgot - Download & Listen [New Mixtape]". HNHH. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  60. [60]
    "GOOD LUV'N on YouTube". YouTube. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  61. [61]
    "BJ The Chicago Kid - Perfect on YouTube". YouTube. 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  62. [62]
    "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.
  63. [63]
    "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.
  64. [64]
    "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.
  65. [65]
    "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.
  66. [66]
    "BJ The Chicago Kid | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-12-12.

Notes

  1. "Impossible" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[36]
  2. "Wishing for a Hero" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article BJ_the_Chicago_Kid, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.