In the vibrant music landscape of Chicago, BJRNCK's journey as an artist was undeniably shaped by her roots, deeply embedded in the city's rich musical community and her early experiences in the church. For BJRNCK, it wasn't just about finding her voice—it was about discovering her true self through the power of music. This connection to her upbringing is woven into her sound, creating an authentic, soulful expression that resonates deeply with her listeners. As she celebrates the release of her new track, "Espresso Martini," BJRNCK invites us into her world—one where life's irritations and pressures are met with a shrug and a drink in hand. The song embodies a liberating message: let go of what you can't control, and live your life on your own terms. This mantra, as she puts it, is about embracing the freedom to enjoy life, whether it's sipping on an espresso martini or simply doing what makes you happy.

How did your upbringing in Chicago shape your growth as an artist? Growing up in Chicago had a significant impact on my musical influences. I grew up in church, and that experience really shaped me. I don't think I would have discovered my singing talent if it weren't for the church. Chicago has a great community for music, and I'm grateful for that.

You're celebrating the release of your new song, "Expresso Martini." What inspired the track? Espresso Martini. It's really funny because I'm not necessarily a coffee lover, but when I discovered espresso martinis, I was just drinking them literally every day. I went into the studio feeling irritated not having the greatest day, and you can almost hear it in the way the song progresses throughout the lyrics. The song is basically saying, "You can’t stress about situations you don't have control over. People are going to be who they want to be and say whatever they want to say. So, at the end of the day, just enjoy your life and do what you want. If you want to take a drink, have an Espresso Martini, or go outside and party, just do it.

We could all learn something from living life that way. Is there a specific theme or message that connects the new music you've been working on? Yes, this project I'm working on is more about me and how I navigate my life. It involves my friendships relationships, and getting to know myself better. I'm figuring out what I like and don't like, and sometimes, I realize that I'm acting in a way that doesn't truly represent me. As I get older, I'm learning to distinguish between my true self and the behaviors I've learned or been taught. So, this project is really about me and my personal growth.

Your debut album is highly anticipated. Does the project differ from your previous work, and what are you most excited about with this release? This time, things will be different from my previous releases. I've only put out singles and individual pieces of work in the past, but now I'm creating a complete body of work. I have a lot of music from different phases of my life, and this time, it's more genuine. I'm very involved in the writing process, and the songs are a true reflection of myself. While some songs are collaborative, many are very personal, and some are even entirely written by me. "Espresso Martini" was written solely by me. Overall, this album feels more personal than my previous work. My earlier songs weren't less personal, but more people were involved.

Are there any songs on the upcoming album that you consider particularly personal or significant? If so, why? I have a song called "Therapy" with lyrics that state, "20s are rough, like, WTF. Some days I feel good, but that's not enough." The song talks about the challenges of being in your 20s, realizing that you might be the problem, and needing to figure out what's wrong with yourself. It also explores the idea that your 20s are not just about partying and having fun but also about personal growth, learning about your likes and dislikes, and staying true to yourself. This period of life involves both enjoyment and personal development, helping you to discover your preferences, make decisions, and be authentic to yourself.

Are there any specific emotions or thoughts you want the listeners to take away from the album? Vulnerability is a crucial aspect. This album is very vulnerable and sensitive to me as I speak my mind and tell my truth.

Do you have any other songs you might be teasing now? I have been previewing a couple of songs on social media. One is called "A Girl Like Me," and the other is "Coming Home." I love both of these songs. "Coming Home" is pretty old. I wrote it about three years ago, and I've been fighting to release it ever since. Finally, I get to put it out. "A Girl Like Me" is a more recent song that I got to write with all of my friends. Writing with friends who don't usually write music was so much fun. I love bringing in people who don't typically do music, especially my girlfriends because it's like, "Am I the only one going through this?" And they'll say, "No Bitch, I feel the same way too!" So, I love involving my friends in my creative process.

That is truly unique! Gaining inspiration from an external perspective can bring a new dimension to the project. And who better to ask than your closest friends? I make music for girls, the ones I hang out with, and girls in general. I make music for everyone. But to ensure that I'm expressing the right emotions, not just mine, but also acknowledging that others may be going through the same thing, I talk about it in my music.

Have you collaborated with any new producers, songwriters, or featured artists for this upcoming project? I've worked with Tiggy London and Kevo on the track. Additionally, Pusha Rod Dash and Jay Hill have been overseeing and guiding me in my creative process, helping me organize my thoughts.

When collaborating with other artists, what factors do you consider to ensure the partnership will be a good fit? When a song is good, it resonates with me. That's all that really matters. When you hear a song and think, "Oh, I want to be a part of this," then you know it's something special. I recently collaborated on a song with someone I only knew through Instagram. It's funny how the song was sent to me not by her but through someone else. I felt such a solid connection to the music that I just had to be a part of it. It's so "me," and I can relate to it. Now we're even planning to go out for a meal together, which is something we had yet to do before despite following each other on Instagram. This collaboration has brought us closer.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be, and why? That's a good question. Presently, I really love Money Long. She's actually one of my friends, and she's excellent. She's just so good with her writing skills. Her approach to music and singing is nostalgic, which I also bring to the table. We would create great music together. As for who else? Frank Ocean and PartyNextDoor. I always draw close to writers because I'm a writer myself. So when I hear people writing music in a certain way, even if they might not be the greatest singers, the way they tell a story is amazing.

How long have you been writing? When did I start writing? I started writing when I was about 16 years old. At 13, I had been recording music, but at 16, I remember being locked in a room and told, "You cannot come out until you write this song by yourself because I know you can do it." Now, in the last two or three years, I've mastered the ability to write a whole song by myself.

Having that kind of discipline from a very young age is impressive. You've been recording since you were 13, which is pretty much a lifetime. It must be incredibly rewarding to see your journey reach this point. "How does it feel to be called the 'It Girl' of R&B?" I believe that being considered the "it girl" carries a lot of responsibility. I'm not the only one in this position; I'm representing many other girls who aspire to be like me. Everyone has a bit of the "it girl" in them, and it's about nurturing that and blossoming into your true self. It's a big responsibility, but I enjoy inspiring other young women and being a leader. When I do more interviews and people really get to know the things I've gone through and been through in my life and just how I've gotten to where I am now, I think there will be many others who can relate. I'm not the cookie-cutter type. My life wasn't all peachy cream; it didn't happen overnight and wasn't easy. I believe many young girls can relate to that in any instance, in whatever career they choose. Life is challenging, especially for a young woman.

How has your life changed since you signed with Geffen Records? Since signing with Geffen, I've noticed a significant boost in my confidence. Prior to signing, I went through a rough year where projects didn't get released, previous signings didn't pan out, and I lost belief in myself. It felt like I had lost touch with the "it" girl I once was. However, after signing with Geffen and realizing that I have so much control over my music, writing, and artistic direction, I feel like I've found a team that truly believes in me and wants to support and develop my authentic self, rather than molding me into something I'm not. They see potential in me that I don't always recognize, and their belief in me provides a constant boost of confidence.

We all need a supportive community around us; it's very important. Do you have any plans for music videos or visual projects to accompany your new release? I love doing music videos and want to create a few visualizers. I'm currently focusing on the content and refining it. I can't share too many details as it's still a work in progress, but my goal is to build a world with this project. It would be great if everything, the visualizers and the videos, were interconnected. I enjoy it when things are connected and fans notice the details. For example, when they see me wearing the same shirt in different videos and realize the connections. So, I'd love to do that.

Do you have any live performances or tours planned for the album release? Yes, that's something I love doing. I enjoy doing live breakdowns of my songs, bringing in a full band, and performing in unique, unexpected locations. I like making things that don't usually go together, go together. I will definitely be doing live versions of my songs and plan to release a live version of "Espresso Martini" soon. It's important to showcase my singing abilities.

You seem eager to get out there and perform! I absolutely love performing and singing live. It's very different from singing in the studio. If you've only sung live, you'll need to learn studio singing. Similarly, if you're used to the studio, you'll have to adapt to singing live. However, being able to do both is a valuable skill. I've had a lot of artist development experience, recording since I was 13 and singing in choirs since I was 10. I consider these experiences to be my superpowers.

What is one thing you want your fans to know about you, your upcoming music, and your future goals and plans? I think you're aware that people are eagerly anticipating my next moves, especially if you've checked out my Instagram comments. I want to assure you that I'm carefully planning and gathering everything I need so that when I do start sharing, it will be consistent and not stop-and-go. I aim to show all aspects of myself in a sequence and in a timely manner. Timing is crucial, but one thing is for sure - you'll be seeing a lot more of me.

BJRNCK's journey is far from over, and with her debut album lurking in the shadows, she invites her audience to join her in a space of vulnerability, honesty, and celebration. Through her music, she not only shares her truth but also creates a soundtrack for others navigating their own paths. As BJRNCK continues to explore new depths in her sound and storytelling, one thing remains clear: her music is a powerful, personal declaration of who she is and who she's becoming—a reminder for all of us to embrace our true selves, live boldly, and find joy in every moment. As BJRNCK steps into this new era, her music is a reminder that, amid all the chaos, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and savor the moments that make life worth living.

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEW BY: HEATHER KOEPP

WARDROBE/CREATIVE DIRECTION: OTHTHAN BURNSIDE

Hair Stylist: KEERA GRIFFIN

Makeup Artist: NELLY SANTIAGO