BJ the Chicago Kid | |
|---|---|
 Sledge in July 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | BJ |
| Born | Bryan James Sledge (1984-11-23)November 23, 1984 (age 41) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | bjthechicagokid |
Bryan James Sledge[1] (born November 23, 1984), better known by his stage nameBJ the Chicago Kid (or simplyBJ), is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised inChicago,Illinois, Sledge is best known for frequently collaborating withTop Dawg Entertainment recording artistsSchoolboy Q,Ab-Soul,Kendrick Lamar, andJay Rock. He has also worked with several other prominent rappers, such asFreddie Gibbs,Warren G,Nekfeu,Chance the Rapper,Big K.R.I.T.,GLC,Kanye West,Anderson .Paak, andJoey Badass, among numerous others.
Sledge's first work in the music industry was on aDave 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 rapperKanye West released in promotion for the 2006 American filmMission: Impossible III. In February 2012, he independently released his debut studio album,Pineapple Now-Laters. Sledge subsequently secured a record deal withMotown, in August 2012. The label then serviced thePineapple Now-Laters song "Good Luv'n", as Sledge's commercial debut single.
Bryan Sledge was born to church choir directors inChicago. He grew up in theBrainerd neighborhood onChicago's South Side.[2] Sledge became inspired to pursue a music career after seeingJanet Jackson perform on tour.[3] At the age of 19, he moved toLos Angeles, California, where he became abackup singer for Americangospel duoMary Mary. He also performed onStevie Wonder'sA Time to Love (2005). He later wrote forR&B andgospel artists such asCrystal Aikin,Shirley Caesar,Lalah Hathaway,Joe andKindred the Family Soul.[4] Later, he performed onKanye West's single "Impossible," which also featuresTwista andKeyshia Cole.[5]
In 2009, Sledge released his debutmixtape,A Taste of Chicago, under themoniker BJ the Chicago Kid. Later that year, he followed up withThe New Beginning. In 2011, he released his third mixtape, titledThe Life of Love's Cupid.[6]
In February 2012, Sledge independently released his debutstudio album, titledPineapple Now-Laters, under M.A.F.E MUSIC LLC. In August 2012, it was announced that Sledge signed arecording contract with American record company,Motown.[7] After inking his new deal with the label, Motown Label Services began promoting thePineapple Now-Laters track "Good Luv'n," at Urban and Rhythmic radio formats in North America and released it as asingle viadigital distribution.[8]
In February 2013, Sledge released the track titled "Honey." Sledge's collaboration with American rappersFreddie Gibbs andProblem, titled "Smokin' and Ridin'", is featured onRadio Los Santos inGrand Theft Auto V, the fifth installment in the critically acclaimed video game series. In October 2013, Sledge revealed he began working on hismajor label debut, which was then announced to be released sometime in 2014.[6] Later that year, in December 2013, Sledge released aChristmas-themedextended play (EP), titledA Soulful Christmas, for free online.[9]
On April 22, 2014, West Coast rapperSchoolboy Q released "Studio", which features vocals from Sledge, as the fourth single from his albumOxymoron. "Studio" acquired SledgeBillboard chart placement and went on to chart in theTop 40 of the USBillboard 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 andSmoke DZA.[10] On December 23, 2014, Motown Records released a song fromThe M.A.F.E. Project titled "It's True", which features a verse from Schoolboy Q, as a single. The single was accompanied by amusic video directed by Verluxe.[11][12]
On February 19, 2016, Sledge released his major label debut album,In My Mind (2016), featuring collaborations withChance the Rapper,Big K.R.I.T., andKendrick Lamar. The album’s standout tracks, including "Church" and "Turnin’ Me Up," solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary R&B.
Sledge continued to release music that resonated with fans, including the mixtapesThe Lost Files: Cuffing Season (2016), andA Tribute to Confessions (2017). In 2018, he released the EPThe 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 songTime Today.
In May 2023, it was announced that BJ The Chicago Kid had signed with theRCA Records distributed label Reach The World, which was founded by producerYeti Beats.[14] Primarily produced by Yeti Beats, Sledge released his fourth album,Gravy (2023), further showcasing his evolution as an artist.
Studio albums
EPs
Mixtapes
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Good Luv'n" | 2012 | Jerome D.[15][16][17] |
| "Perfect" | 2014 | |
| "Real Love Never Dies" | ||
| "It's True" (featuring Schoolboy Q) | Verluxe[18] | |
| "That Girl" (featuring OG Maco) | 2015 | N/a |
| "Church" (featuring Chance the Rapper and Buddy) | Scott Lazes[19] | |
| "Nothin' But Love" (featuring Joey Bada$$) | N/a | |
| "The Resume" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.) | Scott Lazes[20] | |
| "Love Inside" (featuring Isabella) | 2016 | N/a |
| "Turnin' Me Up" | ||
| "The New Cupid" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) | Matt Barnes | |
| "Woman's World" | N/a |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Studio -Schoolboy Q Featuring BJ The Chicago Kid | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best R&B Album | In My Mind | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best R&B Performance | Turnin' Me Up | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Woman's World | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best R&B Album | 1123 | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Time Today | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Bring It On Home To Me - BJ The Chicago Kid,PJ Morton,Kenyon Dixon &Charlie Bereal | Nominated |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
