This year, Billboard and Ford have teamed up to bring you a run of intimate gig experiences, allowing lucky gig-goers the chance to get up-close-and-personal with chart-topping and future music stars. Kicking off at the Belasco Theater in LA on July 27 is breakthrough soul man BJ The Chicago Kid. The 32-year-old grew up on the south side of Chicago but now lives in LA. Beginning life as a backing vocalist, he’s most renowned for his Grammy-nominated debut album ‘In My Mind’ and collaborations with the likes of Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar and Dr Dre. He also performed for Obama at his Presidential farewell address.
We caught up with BJ in advance of the show…
You make old school soul with a modern twist. What is it about soul that’s most relatable to you?
BJ: “It comes from a feeling that’s natural. It can be enhanced but it can’t be created – you actually have to feel it. It takes me on a journey every time I’m listening to it and singing it. I forget about my problems, about the crazy things going on in the world.”
You learned how to sing in church. Did you always have an inclination that music would be your life path?
BJ: “Absolutely. I’ve always known it would be my future. As a kid sitting at the front table doing homework I always imagined myself doing performances. From writing with some of my favourite artists and travelling the world, I saw it all right there at that table.”
What were some of the artists that changed your life?
BJ: Permission, The Winans, Marvin Gaye, Jodeci, Boyz II Men. Anything that struck the heart and soul and gave me chills.”
What did LA offer you when you moved here?
BJ: “When I first left Chicago I picked LA because I knew I could learn from the professionals here. I needed to see it done, see mistakes, see championships, see it all. I met so many people I never knew I’d be working with – musicians, producers, other artists. You can go to Starbucks and you’re right behind Babyface ordering a latte. Entertainment and regular life is blended in here.”
Was performing for Obama your biggest career highlight so far?
BJ: “It was extremely surreal. It was crazy how it came about. My manager had the whole team on the phone and she was trying to find out who was going to tell me the news. The White House had called. I found out it was going to be in Chicago for his last speech. It was a beautiful moment for him, for my city, for my life, man. That was written in invisible ink on the bucket list.”
Your album ‘In My Mind’ was nominated for three Grammys. How do you digest that?
BJ: “It says a lot. It says that more people are watching than we know. We have more work to do as well. I think of it as a flirt move. I’ll be back.”
You’re working on a new album, right?
BJ: “Yes. This album is an evolution. It’s more tempo. I wanted to connect with women a lot more on this project, appreciating them, making them smile more. I wanted to get back to the essence of what R&B is about. It’ll be a rebirth of BJ.”
What are you looking forward to most about the Belasco gig?
BJ: “It’s one thing to create music, but to express it live is such a beautiful thing to do and to see. It’s very therapeutic for me. I love to perform, there’s nothing like it. You can expect high energy.”
When was the last time that you felt intimately close to live music as a member of the crowd?
BJ: “I went to see Stevie Wonder at the Forum last year and I don’t wanna sound like a wuss but I shed a tear!”