Grammy-nominated singer BJ The Chicago Kid has announced his new collaborative album with producer Yeti Beats, Gravy. It will be served Nov. 10 via RTW Records/RCA Records.
“Gravy smothers, covers, and makes everything taste better. The album Gravy is the persona of what the new cool is. It’s that feeling when you’re at your absolute best, got on your best clothes, exuding confidence in every step and word,” says BJ The Chicago Kid.
He adds, “This project embodies the very essence of how you carry yourself, how you assert your authority, and how you rise to the occasion. In essence, it’s the soul of the music, and in turn, the music becomes the gravy that defines me.”
Gravy was recorded in less than a week at Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, which is the historic studio where Al Green recorded albums Let’s Stay Together and I’m Still in Love with You.
“This project is a dream manifested into reality for me,” Yeti Beats previously said. “I had the idea of producing a record influenced by the music of my favorite soul singer, Al Green, and recording it with a live band. Traveling to Memphis to record in his studio was an immense honor for all of us.”
The Indications, a band that performed with Durand Jones, also played the live instrumentation for this album.
Gravy will include previously released songs, including the Cory Henry-assisted “Forgot Your Name,” “Liquor Store In The Sky” featuring Freddie Gibbs and “Spend The Night” with Coco Jones.
To accompany the album title and release date announcement, BJ The Chicago Kid has dropped a new song titled “Long Time.” It was co-produced by Yeti Beats and Charlie Bereal, with whom he collaborated and was nominated.
Of the new song, BJ The Chicago Kid says it’s, “one of those songs that started at four in the morning, during our first night at Al Green’s legendary studio. The inception of the song began with me on the drums, Charlie seamlessly weaving in the guitar, and Yeti anchoring the track with his bass. The song exudes an infectious vibe, and over time, it has continued to evolve, becoming one of those tunes that only gets better with each listen.”
Gravy will mark BJ The Chicago Kid’s first full-length for RCA Records under his joint venture with Yeti Beats’ Reach The World Records. He signed the deal earlier this year.
The forthcoming album is the follow-up to BJ The Chicago Kid’s 2019 LP 1123, named after his birthday (Nov. 23). It earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album in 2020 and was his last for Motown Records.
BJ The Chicago Kid released 4AM and Three EPs in 2021, two years after parting ways with Motown and going independent.
Listen to BJ The Chicago Kid’s new song “Long Time” below.
Pre-save/pre-add BJ The Chicago Kid’s new album Gravy here.