GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid brought a sense of urgency to ESSENCE Fest with him this year. "Ya'll need to know how important this album is," he tells us about his new album 1123, which comes out July 26.
"I've always been fans of a lot of the people I've actually had a first chance to work with on this album, from Cool and Dre to Danger to Afrojack, and then you have people that I've always worked with, that I've always created magic with as well," he said. "Rick Ross is a new guy that I've always wanted to work with as well, It was an honor to actually have Rick Ross on the album."
The Chicago native said he wanted fans to see another dimension of him on his upcoming album.
"I've always put my life experiences [in my albums,] the new stories, just the new chapters of life I've always included into the music and I think it's always been the best thing for me, so you will see a big difference between 1123 and In My Mind."
When it comes to what it means to him to perform at ESSENCE, but be part of its community, BJ said, "ESSENCE has always supported soul and R&B music." He talked how it's variety of stage sizes, rooms and genres provide something for everybody. "ESSENCE always gives you more than what you need."
