With just about a week away before BJ the Chicago Kid drops In My Mind, his full-length debut on Motown Records, the Chi-City native has made the album available for streaming on NPR Music.

The 15-song collection features guest appearances from Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., Constantine and others. Previously released songs “Turnin Me Up,” “The Resume” and “Church” are on the LP as well.

Standout tracks include the piano-driven “Shine,” where the crooner heartwarmingly sings his affection for his true love. On the guitar-charging “Heart Crush,” he laments about a failed relationship that’s imploding in his face. On the throwback ballad “Woman’s World,” BJ re-imagines James Brown’s “It's A Man's Man's Man's World” and salutes women who are holding it down. Finally, he pays homage to his beloved hometown of Chicago on the melodic “Home.”

One major highlight on the LP is “The New Cupid,” which features Kendrick Lamar. BJ’s falsetto caresses the oh-so soulful track as he vows to bring love back to R&B because "Cupid is too busy at the club.”

“And if you see him let him know / Love is gone, I know I’m sure,” he sings, adding, “Throw your hands up in the sky ‘cause love is still alive.”

K.Dot delivers a fantastic verse as a forlorn Cupid looking for love. “As I play out the Commodores / My faith is destroyed / My heart don’t work / I’m unemployed / To fill in this void / Don’t know what I need / Some p---, some paper, some ‘tussin, maybe some henny, some weed,” he raps.

Overall, BJ the Chicago Kid’s In My Mind is the first great R&B album of 2016. You can pre-order In My Mind on iTunes today before it officially releases on Feb. 19.

Listen to “The New Cupid” and the project in its entirety below.

Listen to BJ the Chicago Kid's Song "The New Cupid" Feat. Kendrick Lamar

Listen to BJ the Chicago Kid's Album In My Mind
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