Throwback Thursday: Revisiting BJ The Chicago Kid’s In My Mind Nearly a Decade Later

In My Mind arrived on February 19, 2016, as the official debut album from BJ The Chicago Kid, and it made an immediate statement. The project received critical acclaim and even earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. On top of that, “Turnin’ Me Up” was nominated for Best R&B Performance and “Woman’s World” received a nod for Best Traditional R&B Performance. Not bad at all for a debut.

What stood out most about this album when it dropped was how original it felt. The lead single “Church” immediately caught my attention. It explored the duality of everyday life — wanting to stay with a woman the night before while knowing you’ve got church the next morning. That push and pull between temptation and responsibility felt real. It was relatable, honest, and a clever angle to take at the time.

“Church” also had serious replay value. It felt like one of those songs that was everywhere for a stretch, and for good reason. It was soulful, slightly provocative, but grounded in reality.

“Turnin’ Me Up” remains one of the strongest moments on the album. The smooth jazz-inspired instrumentation paired with BJ’s rich vocals created something timeless. Even today, that track holds up beautifully. It’s the kind of record that doesn’t age.

Then there’s “The Resume.” It’s more laid back production-wise, built on a simple beat, but the concept is what makes it memorable. BJ flips the idea of applying for a job into a sensual metaphor, with the line “I wanna work that body like it’s a 9 to 5” being direct and confident without feeling forced. It was playful but mature — very much aligned with the grown-man R&B lane he occupies.

Looking at the bigger picture, In My Mind stands as BJ The Chicago Kid’s most commercially successful project and the one that truly laid the groundwork for his career. Since then, he’s been featured across numerous albums from some of your favorite artists. Yet, he still feels criminally underrated. He’s not an artist who floods the market with constant releases, but when he does step out with new music, it’s usually quality.

Revisiting In My Mind reminds me how soulful and intentional BJ’s artistry has always been. If you haven’t spent time with his catalog, this album is a strong starting point. And if you want to go deeper, his earlier project Pineapple Now-Laters — which predates this album and lives primarily on SoundCloud — is worth seeking out.

Sometimes the best musical experiences come from expanding your palette and tapping into artists you may not have fully explored. BJ The Chicago Kid is one of those artists who can fill that gap and give you something genuine.

Nearly a decade later, In My Mind still feels honest, soulful, and worthy of a revisit.