BJ The Chicago Kid is one of Black music’s biggest advocates.
Following the release of Gravy (Deluxe), the crooner swung by VIBE’s Los Angeles office to discuss how Black music is represented at the Grammys while also opening up about his recent collaborators and the importance of documenting this era.
“Within the Grammys,” BJ expressed, “I don’t think music is represented as best, especially Black music.”
He explained, “I don’t think Beyoncé should be in the same category with Ledisi or Lalah Hathaway. There should be some differences, and there are some things that needs to be worked out.” As a former member of the Recording Academy’s voting board, BJ added, “One thing that I did learn is those type of changes don’t happen overnight.”
Yet, as a seven-time nominee, BJ still desires to be recognized with a Grammy win someday.
“It’s still the highest musical accolade you could possibly receive, so I would definitely be grateful [to win],” he shared. “I think everybody would love to have one of those gold plaques on their fireplace and their mantel, or wherever they may have it, but I’m going to keep going regardless.”
Even though Gravy was snubbed by the Recording Academy, BJ still brought the heat with the deluxe installment. He collaborated with Andra Day, Ledisi, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Philip Bailey, and more.
With all that soul, we asked if he feels the “gravy of soul music is amplified [through] live albums and recordings.”
BJ replied, “Absolutely,” noting, “I feel like the gravy of soul music is always amplified when I hear Sam Cooke live at the Copacabana. Sam Cooke live or The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye. That’s the next level of it. That’s what the artist takes to give you a further deeper explanation, a further illustration of what this song means, what this album means, what this performance in its entirety means.”
The 40-year-old recalled growing up and noticing that the “real ones weren’t afraid” to “show out [during] a live performance,” which has influenced how he approached his own live shows.
Gravy may be part of a bigger project or trilogy, but BJ confessed to having tons of new music in the vault.
Of that newness, he teased, “Early next year, I plan on giving y’all some new BJ. Some BJ to remind you of the old BJ, but still is quite a few steps forward, too. More mature, more evolved, more open, transparent.” Check out our full chat with the soulful crooner above.