BJ the Chicago Kid

Kid worked across singer, rapper and musician. The registers place that work in soul and contemporary R&B. This article rests on 31 catalogued compositions, 41 issued recordings and 45 scholarly references drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

• Name — BJ the Chicago Kid • Birth Name — Bryan James Sledge • Alias — BJ • Born — 23 November 1984 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • Genre — * R&B • neo soul • soul • Years Active — 2001–present • Label — * Motown • M.A.F.E. • Reach The World • RCA • Website — bjthechicagokid.com

Bryan Sledge was born to church choir directors in Chicago. He grew up in the Brainerd neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Sledge became inspired to pursue a music career after seeing Janet Jackson perform on tour. 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. Later, he performed on Kanye West's single "Impossible," which also features Twista and Keyshia Cole.

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.

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. 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. 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. Later that year, in December 2013, Sledge released a Christmas-themed extended play (EP), titled A Soulful Christmas, for free online. 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. 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. 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.

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. • Illustration — Sledge in July 2019 His third studio album, 1123 was released on July 26, 2019. 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. Primarily produced by Yeti Beats, Sledge released his fourth album, Gravy (2023), further showcasing his evolution as an artist.

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released • Title — Year — Director(s) • "Good Luv'n" — 2012 — Jerome D. • "Perfect" — 2014 • "Real Love Never Dies" • "It's True" (featuring Schoolboy Q) — Verluxe • "That Girl" (featuring OG Maco) — 2015 • "Church" (featuring Chance the Rapper and Buddy) — Scott Lazes • "Nothin' But Love" (featuring Joey Bada$$) • "The Resume" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.) — Scott Lazes • "Love Inside" (featuring Isabella) — 2016 — rowspan="2" • "Turnin' Me Up" • "The New Cupid" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) — Matt Barnes • "Woman's World"

BJ the Chicago Kid was born on 23 November 1984 in Chicago. Kid held the nationality of United States. Kid was educated at Julian High School. Kid worked as singer, rapper and musician. Kid was active from 2001. The fields Kid worked in include soul and contemporary R&B.

Studio albums • Pineapple Now-Laters (2012) • In My Mind (2016) • 1123 (2019) • Gravy (2023) EPs • he Opening Ceremony (2018) Mixtapes • A Taste of Chicago (2009) • The New Beginning (2009) • The Life of Love's Cupid (2011) • A Soulful Christmas (2013) • The M.A.F.E. Project (2014) • The Lost Files: Cuffing Season (2016) • A Tribute to Confessions (2017)