1123
BJ the Chicago Kid · 2019
48 min · 13 tracks · contemporary R&B
A smooth blend of contemporary R&B and soul, infused with introspective lyrics and lush instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Champagne — This track captures the essence of celebration and self-reflection, balancing upbeat production with lyrics that explore personal triumphs.
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Time Today — With its infectious groove, this song highlights BJ's ability to blend contemporary sounds with classic soul influences, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Playa's Ball — This track features storytelling elements that delve into relationships and life lessons, showcasing BJ's lyrical prowess against a smooth musical backdrop.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong writing and production but follows familiar R&B templates.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that establish a lively tone, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, with BJ the Chicago Kid often singing in call-and-response patterns with background vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- smooth grooves for relaxed evenings
- introspective moments of self-reflection
- catchy melodies for easy sing-alongs
- uplifting vibes for social gatherings
- rhythmic flows for dancing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, high-energy tracks
- seek immediate gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2019, BJ the Chicago Kid released '1123' as his second studio album following his debut, 'In My Mind', which helped establish his presence in contemporary R&B. This album marked a significant step in his career, showcasing his growth as a songwriter and vocalist after collaborating with artists like Anderson .Paak and Chance the Rapper.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anderson .Paak· Leon Bridges· Khalid
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Worryin' Bout Me
The bridge shifts from reflective musings about love to an assertive declaration of self-worth.
This transition emphasizes personal empowerment, contrasting vulnerability with confidence in a way that enriches the overall narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Feel the Vibe 4:00
- 2 Champagne 3:41
- 3 Get Away 4:43
- 4 Time Today 3:19
- 5 Can't Wait 4:48
- 6 Back It Up 4:49
- 7 1123's Playa's Intro 0:10
- 8 Playa's Ball 4:13
- 9 Too Good 3:23
- 10 Close 3:50
- 11 Rather Be With You 4:28
- 12 Worryin' Bout Me 3:55
- 13 Reach 3:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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