BJ The Chicago Kid: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch BJ the Chicago Kid play at the Tiny Desk.
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Nov. 6, 2019 | Sidney Madden -- BJ the Chicago Kid took the roughly 15 minutes we generally allot for a Tiny Desk performance as a challenge. The 34-year old R&B mainstay used his moment at the desk to fit in as many of his most cherished songs as possible - Nine songs in 17 minutes to be exact.
To get the job done, BJ jumped around his 10-year discography, weaving deep cuts and covers from his early Pineapple Now-Laters days with contemporary cuts like "Church" off his major label debut, In My Mind, to heartfelt odes from his latest project, 1123. Along the way, BJ invited a bouncing bass and violin to play up his melodies and always kept his spirits light on what otherwise would have seemed like a rushed setlist.
It's clear from his performance at the desk that BJ grew up on Midwest soul and gospel. Taking cues from '60s and '70s legends like The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays and The Dells, BJ stirred up a harmonious elixir of his own and delivers a contemporary version of that classic sound.
SET LIST
"East Side High 2012 & Forever"
"Good Luv'n"
"Aiight"
"Church"
"Love Inside"
"Turnin' Me Up"
"Get Away"
"Can't Wait"
"Too Good"
MUSICIANS
BJ The Chicago Kid: vocals; Tony "Rico" Nichols: drums; Jairus "Jmo" Mozee: guitar; Joe Cleveland: bass; Delvin Brumfield: keys; Peter Lee John: violin
CREDITS
Producers: Sidney Madden, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Maia Stern, Kara Frame; Editor: Maia Stern; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Emily Bogle/NPR

[@angelicarawls84]

Opened with that Eastside High school song like it was the national anthem.

[@lilidubois6470]

Angelica Rawls Sis! I was like, yasss, only BJ!

[@jerseymarv]

So Hard!!!!

[@HappinessTheBrand]

RIGHT SIS!!!!!

[@dogood74]

Dope ...Angelica same here. That song will never die.

[@Madsnare90]

Pineapple Now Laters

[@SXINT]

• THE MOST UNDERRATED SINGER IN THE GAME DONT @ ME 😤 •

[@FlasKamel]

@SXINT

[@Lamarck17]

He’s good

[@brilily6648]

He is

[@andreswaringer1476]

@@FlasKamel 😂😂😂

[@MrSuriyen]

Big fact no CAP

[@EE-sw3uh]

NPR: what songs are you gonna do? BJ: yes.

[@lilidubois6470]

Right!

[@msseoulglow]

EXACTLY!!!

[@massiveqdawg]

LOLOL. Basically

[@chrissywalton6192]

Deadddd

[@DaughterofTheMostHigh144]

Ethan Niang joked 😂

[@lisavslisa101]

He's Al Green, Sam Cook and Odis Redding all wrapped up in one! Im here for it! We need a new r&b king!

[@bobbynurcahya602]

no chit-chat just singing.. 17 minutes and he did a list of a concert!

[@ddi1558]

East Side High 2012 & Forever 0:09 Good Luv'n 1:21 Aiight 3:11 Church 4:46 Love Inside 6:38 Turnin' Me Up 9:05 Get Away 11:28 Can't Wait 13:08 Too Good 14:55

[@michaeld3546]

D Di real mvp

[@kuntrybama90]

You the truth

[@mamag1rl]

Thanks

[@Matteusnilsen99]

Thx 🔥

[@williamchavis6175]

J

[@mbalenhleprettyndhlozi]

But why are people sleeping on BJ the Chicago kid 😭😭I mean this man is Talented🔥 shout out to all the people with Good music Taste who listen to this guy ❤🔥

[@malcolmhayden-smith1246]

Yeah.... Taylor Swift is never a good look! 🙄😢😂

[@JordysSimpleLife]

💯

[@emeraldspeights8050]

💯💞

[@AceDotCosta]

He was a force behind a lot of Kanye's earlier works, man's a Genius behind the scenes

[@chelswels1570]

These days, it seems as though the artists that can actually sing are the ones who are underrated. It's so dumb! People would rather pop and lock it or twerk and whatever else instead of appreciating GREAT talent!

[@kyraelvine1860]

when he sings,it feels like he’s telling a gooood story .😭

[@sadehill7252]

Y’all are sleeping on that violinist ❤️

[@westindian10]

Fax

[@rozuhleetuh6180]

Everything is better with strings lol

[@SistahRoro]

That’s Peter Lee Johnson and he is the TRUTH! Been following him on KZbin for years. ❤️

[@jazzymccoy5461]

Yes 🔥🔥🔥

[@cbjackson0210]

He COLD on them strings

[@lilliangarvin9945]

Mannnn, the way he feels the music while he sings is so incredible. I love when musicians love music. You think that would be like second nature, but honestly it's not for all. His voice is phenomenally soulful.

[@Indielollita]

I totally agree with you! :)

[@Red4350]

thats a spot on way to describe it.

[@silentstruggle31]

His voice is absolutely about good vibes and soulful life!!!

[@LoveAlways11]

Yes I love his voice, so soothing 🥰🥰

[@ayonnazglam9050]

Facts!

[@zenobia328]

He got that Chitown Donell Jones vibe. It must be in the windy city water. ♥️

[@joepalmer436]

He really told them to change keys and ALL of them switched in sync 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@superduperjoi6800]

Yes 10:39

[@simonerae1451]

Right. That was an underrated moment!

[@Thxrz]

i prefer this version of his songs than the actual ones. this sounds much more soul full

[@phatmattd]

This happens to me with almost every artist and every song performed behind the Desk.

[@evanschoenly5503]

also see leon bridges

[@Thxrz]

@@CeeTorices exactly the same thing happened to me here. I like the song "church" he sung on here but when I listened on Spotify it was completely different and no where near as good. It's a shame because it's clear that Chicago Kid has great raw vocals but the studio versions don't capture that.

[@zonasound]

same with Anderson Paak

[@Thxrz]

@@zonasound anderson paak is my favourite current musician. hes so talented thanks for the recommendation regardless

[@thycolourfulshadow4998]

The violinist though!!!!😩💯

[@Rude.Rayne_VA]

I was thinking the same thing! Fire 🔥 Dude is so smooth... reminds me of alot of ty dolla $.

[@charliechino273]

Facts!😩🙏🏽

[@ghettoloco3313]

Mmmmm real smooVe with it!!!!

[@aminapatterson4562]

I feel that! The violinist KILLDT. without taking nothing away from BJ

[@EbonyFarashuu]

YES!!! OMG!!

[@VI5H]

After 3 years and this still ain't got a mill views. Just goes to show the world isn't a fair place. If it were then amazing talent like everyone in this performance would get all the flowers they deserve. It's one of my most favourite NPR performances along with Anthony Hamilton.

[@Planet.Nyob3]

Millions of views isn’t necessary for artists to get the recognition they deserve. Everyone isn’t trying to gain validation from the world.

[@eldiablo6387]

just enjoy the music my friend

[@dnaturalartist546]

He is one of the best singers I have ever heard LIVE. Such a talent and underrated! I see him every chance I get!!!!!

[@g-love0704]

Everytime he has came home the last few yrs I would be traveling or had something else going on, this month I made it my biz to see him in Chicago and it was well worth it! The last concert of the decade for me, he is setting the bar high for these other singers, they better come with it in 2020!

[@AllBrightColors]

Check out B. Slide too!

[@justrirakkusu8952]

This man is dope!! The Violin really added a special touch.💗💕

[@howarddickersonjr.6994]

Tiffany Mizani Definitely did. The riff he did on Turnin Me up made that song sound even better

[@mouniadia1951]

Indeed

[@kaiv5539]

Agreed

[@missy567ful]

I put this man on a pedestal. He's up there to me with D'Angelo, vocally.

[@quindell]

He sounds good but nah

[@Thinktanker24]

As much as D’angelo paced the way, bj’s vocals are WAAAAAAAY better

[@08obamanation]

That violinist was really in his bag lol

[@stylebykatb.5661]

Turnin me up is my jam! He is what we are missing in R&B/Soul music.

[@g-love0704]

Yes I love that song too!!!

[@Sattiden]

Since nobody finished watching the video yet , let's enjoy this moment together before ppl come commenting nonsene Edit : now that ive finished watching i can easily say there wont be any nonesense down here ... Its *too Good*

[@ok-nq5od]

shut up loser

[@LowdownBoy]

No doubt

[@khanyisilemakhubu8990]

😂

[@Sattiden]

@@ok-nq5od you're the worst 😂😂 why make me feel this bad

[@ok-nq5od]

@@Sattiden it's fine im a loser too my opinion means absolutely nothing dont worry about it loser 👍🏾😊

[@JesusPerez-oo5rn]

hes one of industry's secret gems, key artist in R&B he had work with such great artists like Solange or Jill scott, hes like a mixture between Maxwell's voice, musiq soulchild... underrated

[@biggieshorty]

He's been a part of Raphael Sadiqs camp for years as well.

[@purplepheasant4776]

He sounds like he is inspired by Bobby Womack and Curtis Mayfield. But, he does sound like a mix of those two.

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

I'm an LA dude now living in Brooklyn, so I say this with no bias: Chicago has produced some of the most soulful human beings ever to walk the planet. Shout out to Avery R Young!

[@ashleyrhinehart3658]

I wasn’t ready for this to be over!!! 😫

[@rawstrawberry319]

Smiled right through 🙂☺️🤗😊❤️

[@CoCre8ors]

Ashley Rhinehart not even 20 min 🙈😏

[@ashleyrhinehart3658]

Conah Dalton - Progressive Livity Right!!

[@nursechick2010]

I feel like they should've turned the lights down for this one. Definitely a vibe!!

[@latisha334]

Yesssss he took it back to Pineapple Now/Laters ❤️

[@justintownsend2742]

He dont sing he sang

[@mamag1rl]

BJ inspired my IG name 🤭

[@LoveAlways11]

My favorite!! 💛💛

[@sheenabaharudin]

When you see the notification and have to pinch yourself just to make sure it ain't a dream. Raising the bar as always NPR!!! Jill Scott next please!

[@BmoreShawty]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@itsrheachelle]

She's overdue!!!!

[@cofield_bri]

If they get Jill Scott imma faint

[@dgiles3064]

@@cofield_bri me too sis! Got my ticket to see her March 2020! I CAN NOT WAIT!!

[@kennethmewis4335]

The fact that this hasn't even hit at least 1mil views, still confuses me.

[@GPrice-mg8mi]

He started off with Fair East Side! May the Lord Watch!🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@darryld2994]

between me and thee

[@Neemiebaby]

This version of “Love Inside” is so dope.

[@Neemiebaby]

@@iamtinara 😉

[@DynamicallyDC]

I love whenever BJ The Chicago Kid is recognized. Much deserved!! 🎶❤

[@neat1757]

"Get Away" was my favorite arrangement. Wish it was longer but I loved the whole set so it doesn't matter. Lol. BJ is a bad man with a bad band. Love it!

[@hvalea]

Been listening to him since Kush & Corinthians 🔥

[@terrencegolding1494]

Shhheeet

[@laaundradaniels7146]

Same

[@Dyoung-86]

Long overdue he’s very underrated

[@STANKBREATH]

This has become one of my favourite Tiny desks

[@JR-lb4xq]

Ari Lennox and BJ the Chicago Kid's voice can send us all to heaven.

[@BigDipperPro]

Dont put those 2 in the same sentence shes no where near as talented as this man

[@skarletbrown8912]

BJ!!!!! 😭😭😭💔💔💔💔 He has a violinist there 😍😍😍😍 I am complete

[@bks13]

BJ needs a live album! PLEEZE!

[@anderswallock4874]

Played in high school orchestra with the bass player. Man's got groove.

[@albertjoachim8334]

That guitarist's tone is just so beautiful and angelic. WOW.

[@lonnithomas2412]

Everything that I thought it would be, his voice is so unique, soulful, and what this generation of musicians are missing

[@tarahsheppard24]

Besides not getting (TIME TODAY) this was perfect ....ugh I just love him

[@noelsullivan8144]

YESSSS! I wanted that song to be here so badddds

[@Kaiit]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT!!

[@prestonlawrence6364]

Need you on here Kaiit

[@Idontentertainfoolishness]

U next

[@justintownsend2742]

Me too me too😪😥😢🔥🔥💯💯💯

[@jieuneekim]

Waiting for you to be on that moment too!!! Much love xx 💗

[@coachseetz4657]

U next pls!!

[@goldcoastseed]

Man “love inside” is a special song

[@4TH.WALLBREAK]

This was long overdue but much appreciated. Tiny when are we going to be blessed by Earthgang??

[@thinblacknoodles]

YESSSSSSSSSS

[@avasd59]

Yesss I can't wait 😩♥️

[@Melancolly18]

Yes yes YES!

[@BreeDarcel]

1coolbrother MY BODY IS READY 😭

[@MrScans1]

Hopefully never they garbage.

[@bossballer8508]

The fact he’s from Chicago explains it all for me!! And the band is cold!!

[@PurpleCityDame]

17:15 minutes of Pure Gold. ✨

[@voodoochile4147]

Alright Joe on the bass! Pete on strings. D on keys, Jmo on guitar, Rico on drums, BJ on vocals. Nothing like the sound of real instruments. Let the players play! 🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰

[@CoonorTV]

... "Good Luv'n is now added to your playlist"

[@dariencharlton4773]

Hahaha sameeeee

[@jjsky3003]

Love BJ’s soulful vocals, the band rocked it.

[@daniellekirby2253]

I've waited 4 years to hear him sing "Aiight" live😍😍😍

[@BigDipperPro]

Pineapple Now&Laters all day!!!

[@termainefields3342]

I saw him this year in May at Atlanta City Winery. His live performance is excellent. You should definitely go see him.

[@muftau7]

You cant name a more soulful male singer than BJ right now

[@termainefields3342]

He's definitely soulful, but you have Raheem' DeVaughn, Bilal, and Anthony Hamilton too.

[@SirMalone]

The LEGEND Jairus "Jmo" Mozee on the six... I knew early this would be one for the books!

[@lrrfg8]

One of my faves! Still coming back to listen to this on repeat!

[@kaelarae2577]

Binge-ing on BJ The Chicago Kid... singing to me like i wish a grown man would!!!

[@zp.1996]

Can’t teach talent. He’s one of the purest.

[@evanj2carter571]

I feel like I should've paid to see this. Dope Tiny Desk I've seen in a minute. He gave us a concert frfr.

[@AyeBlue]

One of the dopest singers. So underrated

[@Azzy09]

MANNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! You don’t know how deep this is...how spiritual....how intimate

[@keykiyox]

I would rather shut up and listen and be happy - this guy gives me an instant heaven.

[@makeybacharles1124]

I absolutely LOVE how EVERY WORD comes out of BJ's MOUTH!!!

[@clouds2207]

Those bass lines!!! Love it!!! 🖤🦋

[@neat1757]

Yessssss! I think I might be obsessed with the bassist!

[@clouds2207]

It's the part I hear and pay attention to first when I hear music. 😊

[@deborahlanespencer5817]

Soul Singer !!! Vocally he's effortlessly dynamic SINGGGG BJ !!

[@BigDipperPro]

Deb!!! We've known him for years, since the days of Mosaic !

[@deborahlanespencer5817]

@@BigDipperPro Indeed ...Years !!!

[@kaiv5539]

The violin added so much to this live performance. I can't believe I'm just hearing BJs music recently for the first time. PureTalent

[@laperlenoire3341]

Jarius Is making that guitar SAAAANG ! 🥵 also can we talk about Joe Cleveland on bass ! 🔥🔥

[@audiovisualproof5407]

First time hearing of BJ The Chicago Kid and I'm already a fan of his music. His sound reminds me of the music my parents grew up on. Very classy and on a higher level than todays current music.

[@triceMMJr]

Audio Visual Proof yesss I found him not too long ago too. Maybe this summer 🤔 and I can't get enough!

[@audiovisualproof5407]

@@triceMMJr ^_^

[@tylerwilliams2303]

Listen to “Close”....a personal fav

[@JamarConley]

@@tylerwilliams2303 Perfect is my personal favorite. Have you heard it?

[@CeeCeeluvsmusic]

Oh yes you are about to get an education. He is DOPE!!!

[@tashajackson7968]

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy does him singing the Eastside High school song have me all teary eyed 😩😩😭😭😭😭

[@ghettobohemian2803]

Every song he's performing has been on repeat at some point since I've first heard this man. My heart is happy right now. 💜

[@THADUDEZ]

I hope he wont be overlooked anymore...he just proved his worth...and its unlimited....

[@kendawgMCMXCV]

One of the best tiny desk performances hands down

[@CainaanDC]

nothing like live soul music

[@GamingwithAntman]

Wow that violin with that angelic voice. Hypnotic

[@DBee-ee7tz]

His voice intro made me snap my phone horizontal and turn up the volume. That band THO! "Too Good" TRUTH! Vibing this set on loop.🌡🌞🔥 SoCal love!

[@valerieblanks]

BJ has always sounded like a young Bobby Womack in his vibe and musicality. Why folks still sleeping on this man still amazes me. Thank you for this, NPR!

[@AnyaAniyah925]

FINALLY! His voice is everything!! 😣

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

Soul singers! Soul singer! Soul singer!!🤗🤗🤗

[@RazeDee]

His song His Pain was one of the songs I listened to a lot back then and it was my first time hearing Kendrick Lamar back when no one really knew about him, now one of my fave rappers

[@averyc7492]

x_purpleplug That song is one of my top all time songs

[@RazeDee]

@@averyc7492 that song is a big part of who I am today, was listening to it a lot during a big pivotal period of my life

[@ginomusic1]

2024 I felt this one in my soul.

[@abena5063]

Come on violin! This was all perfection

[@Thatguy1306n]

Not even a million views after 5 years is insane. BJ is so good.

[@Thxrz]

gotta love tiny desk concert. haven't listened to Chicago kid yet but will be sure listen to some of his albums tonight

[@vennicesholar0820]

Beef nugget he’s nice. He has some good music 🎶

[@baharrisonful]

Start from old mixtapes to now... he has a great catalogue. Love him

[@vennicesholar0820]

Brooke Harrison yes I love his music

[@laurenjackson2810]

You won’t regret it

[@manaakiobrien2106]

"In my mind" my favourite album of his

[@alexgrisch3004]

BJ has got to be the best singer in this decade of music. His voice is so holy

[@seanwilson1922]

It seems like Tiny Desk is on a mission to showcase every artist featured on Acid Rap, and I'm all for it

[@PRETTYKITTY445320]

I can't count how many times I've been back to this video. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@nicolaosborne763]

BJTCK since I saw a snippet of this on Instagram I have been stalking KZbin and when I stopped looking the video popped up. This has made my day and it has just begun. The band was vibin' and the violinist turnt up from Turnin' up onwards. So good, imma listen again 👏👏👏

[@QueenBeverle]

This Chicago Kid is STANDING ON OUR NECKS!!! YAAASSSS 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@imonherenow3673]

He's so underrated. Such a great voice!

[@lindokuhlemellisiah1908]

You can just tell by the way BJ speaks that he has the most beautiful voice ever! And he uses it so effortlessly.

[@pablomeromero]

I love BJ's music, I love "Get away", It was amazing, too short 17 minutes. I've watched this video several times. Thanks NPR!!!! Greetings from Spain!!

[@ephraimguyton9912]

This is one of my favorites. Everyone’s is in the zone. Tiny Desk is the best algorithm I’ve found. This is real raw music. Thank you for sharing!

[@psneale67]

Omg NPR, Allen Stone! That'd be a good one. His album just came out and it's so good.

[@Idontentertainfoolishness]

Gotta check it out. I didnt kno he dropped one.

[@triceMMJr]

Omg yesssss his new album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@isaiahfletcher888]

Frame this shxt. Get it done..

[@JordysSimpleLife]

OMG yess❣️

[@tiasmith5406]

Yes

[@biggieshorty]

Been listening to this genius since 2009. Finally. He slides in the background behind some of our favorite superstars dashing soul here and there.

[@rondale75]

So much soul! One of my favorite artists!

[@sydw9585]

One of the most gifted and underrated talented guy out there!!!🙌🏾🙏🏾❤️💪🏾💪🏾

[@teeseay2001]

Omgggg where have I been. His voice is so pure and angelic...will be following him...thx NPR for featuring him 🥰😍😘💞

[@Triboro_Gigolo]

One of the best underrated artists in r&b right now.

[@kandid898]

This man right here made me feel like aww! Such a phenomenal artist. That band is incredible.... Would love to hear him in person.

[@ashcat227d5]

My God,Ive melted.This is by far my favorite NPR concert by far.Thanks Bj.

[@victoriaedwards7021]

Well hold up! Cause I’ve seen him come across my suggested artist on my iheart radio but I never really paid attention to him. But after THIS!!! He’s now one of my new favorites. True musicianship right here! Whew!

[@patmureithi]

Black Thought on the guitar. Sweet!