BJRNCK Stands Out With Her Debut Project “A Girl Like Me”
BJRNCK, a Chicago native now making waves in LA, is carving her niche in the R&B scene with her unique blend of genres. Her voice, a captivating mix of silkiness and power, is a perfect match for her exceptional songwriting skills, which have earned her a Grammy nomination. The inspiring journey for Gennae Bewernick, better known as BJRNCK in the music scene, began in her childhood, when she found her voice singing in her church choir. With a remarkable musical talent, she started recording her own songs and strumming the guitar. She released her debut single “Real” in 2020, featuring the talented Westside Boogie. However, it was her years of collaborating with music greats like Babyface and Omarion that truly set the stage for her future projects, making her mark on the Billboard 100 chart with Omarion’s hit “Taking Off.” Now, she is back with her own album, ready to claim her place at the top.
“You got to keep going till you in it and know that this shit is coming. Patience is the best thing you could have, and when it does come, I’m going to be so appreciative, so thankful. And rich as fuck one day.”
Her debut album released on Geffen Records titled, 'A Girl Like Me,' is a testament to her talent, bringing a much-needed fresh breath in the music industry. The album opens with the intro track, 'I Care 4 U,' a window into BJRNCK's world and perspective, much like reading a page from her diary. She starts with the poignant lines: “So much on my mind, been working long days. Energy on low, I’ve been spending what I ain’t made, it’s been going on six months, I can’t catch a break, I can’t even get out of this bed. Right now, my heart is breaking.” This raw honesty allows her audience to connect with her struggles. The song ends with a voice note, a reflection on her experiences of label meetings and world travel, highlighting the stark contrast between her rising career and the reality she faces at home. Remember, this is just the intro.
The album features eleven more tracks, including the standout singles “Safety,” “Crazy,” and “Club,” all of which contribute to the overall tone and vibe of the project. During a press conference with Universal Music, BJRNCK revealed that her song “Safety” was initially not intended for the album. While reviewing tracks that didn't make the final cut, the engineer offered to mix ths song for free if she included it. She said, “I couldn’t really beat that deal.” It’s interesting to note that “I Care 4 U” shares its title with the legendary Aaliyah, who has been a significant inspiration for BJRNCK. In fact, the video for “Safety” also draws some visual parallels to Aaliyah’s iconic “Rock The Boat.” Both pieces highlight the smooth, captivating style for which Aaliyah was known, showcasing BJRNCK’s own artistry while paying homage to a true music legend.
I got a chance to ask BJRNCK a couple of questions during the Universal Music Group press conference/interview about her new album, and her upbringing as a Chicago native. Check out the interview below!
With you being a Chicago native, what role does the city's unique culture and environment play when it comes to your musical style and artistic image?
“If you’ve ever met anybody from Chicago, they’re very honest, very real, very blunt. My music, I would say, represents that, and once the album comes out, you’ll hear other songs where it’s kind of shocking. Still, it’s like, that’s real, you know what I mean? As far as image, I would say that my attitude, like my clothes and the way that I dress and things like that, it’s like, yeah, it’s girly and prissy and stuff like that. Still, at the same time, it’s got a little ghetto twang to it. I feel like that shows I’m still from Chicago, people can see me and say she’s still from the crib, so I kind of like, play the duality, because I have been in LA for a long time, trying to be a soft girl era now, but I still hold on to certain things from my city.”
You have released three singles for your new project: "Crazy", "Safety", and "Club". Which one was your favorite to create in the studio?
“It’s funny because I keep asking myself which one is my favorite. The most fun to create was “Crazy.” I think “Safety” and “Crazy” were made on the same day. “Safety” was created on what I believe was the last day of camp. Everyone had left, except for Ariel, and I was exhausted. My producer, Tiggy, started playing these loops while I was slumped on the couch. Ariel had just called her Uber and said to Tiggy, “You would play something dope just as I’m about to leave.” I woke up in the middle of that, thinking, “Damn, this sounds good,” and I started writing the song, even though I was completely out of it. I also have a song that came out last year called “Espresso Martini.” Both of those songs were written from start to finish, and I didn’t have to go into the booth— the melody was already there, and the words flowed out like a story. I know you didn’t ask this, but “Crazy” was my favorite video to shoot as well. Overall, I think my favorite song lowkey is “Safety.” It’s a track I can listen to at any time, in any moment.”
Make sure to stream BJRNCK’s debut album “A Girl Like Me”, available on all streaming platforms.
