BJ the Chicago Kid

BJ the Chicago Kid
Sledge in July 2019
Background information
Birth name	Bryan James Sledge
Also known as	BJ
Born	(1984-11-23) November 23, 1984 (age 40) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	R&B neo soul soul
Occupations	Singer songwriter
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Motown M.A.F.E. Reach The World RCA
Website	bjthechicagokid.com

Bryan James Sledge^[1] (born November 23, 1984), better known by his stage name BJ the Chicago Kid (or simply BJ), is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sledge is best known for frequently collaborating with Top Dawg Entertainment recording artists Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock. He has also worked with several other prominent rappers, such as Freddie Gibbs, Warren G, Nekfeu, Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., GLC, Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, and Joey Badass, among numerous others.

Sledge's first work in the music industry was on a Dave Hollister record in 2001, titled "For You", which he co-wrote alongside Gerald Haddon. Sledge's vocals were first featured on "Impossible", a 2006 song by Chicago rapper Kanye West released in promotion for the 2006 American film Mission: Impossible III. In February 2012, he independently released his debut studio album, Pineapple Now-Laters. Sledge subsequently secured a record deal with Motown, in August 2012. The label then serviced the Pineapple Now-Laters song "Good Luv'n", as Sledge's commercial debut single.