BJ The Chicago Kid: Don't Forget The Gravy
Shirt & Jacket Tommy Hilfiger, Pants R13, Shoes CAMPERLAB.
On an unseasonably warm (for New York) spring day BJ The Chicago Kid excitedly bounces about the Brooklyn studio. His smile is infectious as he is preparing for the second stop of his highly anticipated “The Gravy Tour” a week-long residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club. He shares some of his inspirations. Lets us know what he’s listening to these days from his peers whom he affectionately calls “the Homies” - and his favorite hobby - which you can guess, involves making Gravy.
A Janet Jackson concert was the thing that inspired your journey into music.
No, that's a misprint.
What inspired your journey, then?
That would be so weird if it did. As much as I love Janet Jackson, but no. Janet Jackson was one of my first live concert experiences. That's what that was. I don't know who the hell misquoted me. But that was the first live, big production I saw outside what was on TV. I've never seen a big production with trucks and everybody working all day to build the stage and set the lights and speakers. Making sure everything worked before the artist got there. Then the artist gets there, and the dancers get there. I never saw a production like that, and it was mind-boggling. It was inspiring, but that is where that came from.
You grew up in a church. Which one of your parents had you in church on Sundays?
Both of them. Before they met, my parent's mom and Daddy had them in the church, understanding and learning about a higher power. The power we have within us to excel and do whatever we think we can do as well. Both parents, their parents, my uncle's aunties, cousins, all of us were church oriented on both sides. And then they came together, and it was the same thing. My mom's side of the family kicks in with my dad's side, calling each other cousin, auntie, and uncle. When I got outside of the crib, I realized every family didn't have the same type of relationship or that same level of love. My family is a blended family, for real. The Sledge's kick it with the Granger's, and the Granger's kick it with the Sledge's.
Could you ever see yourself doing a gospel album?
For the full interview, pre-order Kolor Magazine Issue One: The Inaugural Issue below.
What’s Poppin and welcome to Kolor Magazine’s print with our inaugural issue of our bi-annual glossy. Similar to the artistic expression of our cover star BJ The Chicago Kid, within these pages is raw talent, passion that flows from editorial to editorial, and storytelling directly from the mouths of black and brown men, all dressed in the best of the Spring/Summer 2024 Collections.
Art Director & Photographer: Ammar Thomas @iam.ammarjamal | Fashion Director & Interview: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah | Location: The 9 Studios