BJ The Chicago Kid proves that soul, faith, and street grit can coexist beautifully on “In My Mind.”
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TOP 5
5. The Resume
BJ The Chicago Kid and Big K.R.I.T. are out here applying for positions with their lovers — and if that booty’s fat, who can really blame them?
The track rides on a sultry, snap-heavy instrumental that teases a beat drop more times than DeMar DeRozan pump fakes (spoiler: it never drops). After a slick intro from K.R.I.T., BJ steps in and starts talking about working that body like it’s a full-time job. Judging by the passion in his vocals, he’s probably clocking overtime, too.
Between the seductive groove, the catchy hook, and the vivid lyrics, this one’s hard to ignore. My only gripe? Big K.R.I.T. didn’t bless us with a full verse — feels like a missed opportunity.
4. Love Island
How much do you want to bet that thot island will be more packed than Love Island?
This track showcases BJ’s ability to make a legitimate love song. He wants you to feel exactly what he feels about his girl — and he delivers that emotion in a soothing, gentle way. It’s reminiscent of one of those uptempo ’70s R&B joints made strictly for the lovers, not for the THOTs. This is for the kind of woman who clips your fingernails and flushes the toilet for you after one of those rough dumps that need more than one flush.
3. The New Cupid (Ft. Kendrick Lamar)
So Cupid is a junkie now?
“The New Cupid” is unmistakably D’Angelo-inspired—a rare feat, considering only a handful of artists today can capture that same magic. The track blends Neo-soul with the confident swagger of young adulthood, carrying a smooth, engaging tempo that pulls you through BJ’s emotional, whirlwind verses. Kendrick shines on songs like this, balancing his signature gangsta edge with charm and a touch of conscious introspection. All in all, this is one of the more unique tracks on this project.
2. Turnin Me Up
Sometimes you have to step away from that damn piano, BJ (In my Andre 3000 voice).
There are plenty of slow jams and sentimental tracks on this album, but this one stands out with its bounce, jazzy flair, and uplifting energy. BJ The Chicago Kid sings with a level of freedom that feels effortless, as he reflects on a woman who turns him up higher than your dad does the volume when 60 Minutes comes on. More than anything, I love this track because it just makes you feel good inside—no overthinking, just pure vibes.
1. Church (Ft. Chance The Rapper)
BJ isn’t trying to do something demonic before going to church.
Isn’t “Church” one of the realest songs you’ve heard in a while? Let me break down the song’s scenario: On any given Saturday, you go to a club, act a fool, shake your ass, and talk to a pretty girl about what you want to do to her temporas, but it always hits you eventually that you’ve got church in the morning. In that moment, you feel the need to shut down anything and everything that comes your way at the end of the night — the booty, the hookah, the drugs, the 7/11 hot dogs, everything! That’s the power of his faith and the importance of the church to him.
What I like about this song is its mellow feel, as it plays more like an R&B song than a gospel one. What makes it sound even more real is that he’s not stressing a single word; everything comes out authentic, almost as if he’s talking directly to the listener.
Chance the Rapper sounds great on this track, too. Chance adds to that whole “justifying why I can’t put my Joe Johnson in your tummy” vibe. Both artists genuinely sound like they’re hurting from their decision to leave the punani be — for church.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Intro (Inside My Mind) (N/A)
2. Man Down (Ft. Buddy, Constantine & PJ Morton) (3.5/5)
3. Church (Ft. Chance The Rapper) (5/5)
4. Love Inside (Ft. Isabella) (5/5)
5. The Resume (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.) (4/5)
6. Shine (5/5)
7. Wait Til The Morning (Ft. Isa) (4.5/5)
8. Heart Crush (4/5)
9. Jeremiah/World Needs More Love (Ft. Eric Ingram) (5/5)
10. The New Cupid (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) (5/5)
11. Woman’s World (5/5)
12. Crazy (3.5/5)
13. Home (4/5)
14. Falling On My Face (5/5)
15. Turnin’ Me Up (4.5/5)
RGM RATING
(90%)
The number one thing you’ll love about this album is that it captures the power struggle within the artist—between toughness, faith, and vulnerability—and that tension makes it all the more compelling. Coming from a Chicago artist, I expected gritty storytelling about struggle and survival, but instead, the album leans into gentleness, intimacy, and soulful ballads. My only concern is that listeners might misjudge the project based on his image, which would be a shame, because this is truly a hidden gem.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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