If you checked out our review of T.I.’s Paperwork or are privy to the “First Impressions” posts located at The Koalition, you are well aware of how the format goes. A project’s thoughts and flaws are presented off the strength of a single review to lessen a biased or altered opinion. After the jump, check my thoughts, along with Profex’s, on BJ The Chicago Kid’s free release, The M.AF.E. Project.

Be honest: do you remember any of Schoolboy Q’s hit single “Studio” beyond the silky smooth chorus.  The deafening silence is telling.  BJ The Chicago Kid has become the industry’s biggest well-kept secret, gaining steam as the premier go-to crooner for hook duties.  He honestly should be bigger than he is, delivering show stealing hook after hook for hip hop’s favorites (Black Hippy, Freddie Gibbs, K.R.I.T.).  It is even harder to believe that his refreshing debut Pineapple Now-Laters is nearly three years old.

While prepping his sophomore outing, set for release through Motown, BJ saw fit to put out The M.A.F.E. Project, featuring a combination of covers and new selections from the singer.  While his music reflects the romantic in him, it also shows he is not without flaw.  He is human and it shows.  In one breath, he can be superficial and raunchy (“B.A.M.”, “Gimme Mo”) and a hopeless romantic (“Real Never Dies”, “One In a Million”) in the next.  The aforementioned Aaliyah cover never feels overdone, despite being eight plus minutes in length, due to the intermingling of Jodeci’s timeless “Feenin” head nodder for BJ’s 2014 update.

What is also evident throughout M.A.F.E. is his genuine appreciation of the female being in a society that undervalues their place of importance.  “Perfect” flips Fabolous’ “Thim Slick” to champion positive body imaging while “Soul Of a Woman” and “Good Karma” only reinforce his thankfulness of women.  Vocally, he reminds of D’Angelo, before he became neo soul’s most revered nomad.  BJ The Chicago Kid is the rare ultimate package, able to tackle a variety of topics as an artist and brimming with talent.  The MAFE Project acts as the next chapter and shot attempt taken by the Chicago Kid.  Here’s to it being a slam dunk for the next big thing.

Favorites—Good Karma/One In a Million/Perfect/Soul Of a Woman

Profex (Charles)

I feel like I’ve been straining my voice online trying to bring more and more attention to BJ The Chicago Kid. Often, the idea that any “genre” is dying is more so the product of whomever declares it having an incredibly narrow view. I’ve been unplugged from the mainstream focus for quite a while and, while the radio does indeed continue to be a wasteland in creativity and talent, to say rhythm and blues has died is an insult to BJ’s hard work.

The scatterings of tracks over this last year have been welcome additions to my many spins of Pineapple Now & Laters even two years after its release. Had no clue The M.A.F.E. Project was on the horizon but here we are and it delivers from open to close. The occasional listener knows him as the hook man via his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Chance The Rapper and more. Those that invested in his solo work know that incredible tracks like “Real Love Never Dies” and “Soul of A Woman” are the rule for him as far as quality goes, not the exception.

The perfect representation of the staying power BJ The Chicago Kid possesses is his 90s tribute on “One In A Million”. Obviously covering Aaliyah, BJ also channels R. Kelly and Jodeci. Imbuing they’re styles with his own, the Kid shows how he’s influenced by legends. Of course it’s not enough to simply be inspired and talent seeps from this artist consistently.

Favorites: Real Love Never Dies/Soul Of a Woman