AJ Tracey is an act who gives all young artists in the U.K. hope. Hailing from Ladbroke Grove in West London, the 25 year old rapper is still an independent artist, with no sight on making a deal any time soon. AJ stepped into the spotlight in 2016 after a number of years on his come up, releasing mixtapes with his collective My Team Paid which featured other recognisable names such as Big Zuu. However, after collaborating with Dave on a track called ‘Thiago Silva,’ the West Londoner really took off. In 2016, The Guardian (a widespread U.K. Newspaper) featured AJ Tracey in a list of ‘Best New Acts to catch at a Festival’ and it’s clear to see why. The star brings all the energy to his shows and has fast-paced uptempo Grime smashes, as well as classic Garage numbers and Sing-A-Long tunes alike. There really is something for everyone in a Tracey set. It wasn’t until after AJ’s fifth EP that he saw any real mainstream success, which came in May 2018 from a track called ‘Butterflies’ featuring Not3s, charring at Number 19 in the Official Singles Chart. Still an independent artist, later that year he released the news he’d be dropping a debut album in 2019, which arrived on February 8th and hit Number 3 in the Official Album Chart. Every young emerging artist looks to AJ Tracey who now is headlining Main Stages at festivals all around the world, and is still an independent artist. Sheer talent and hard work meant no label was necessary and why sign now? In an interview with on Capital Xtra which aired on August 8th this year, AJ explained the pros and cons of being independent and that he’s not Anti-Label, but as long as he keeps making wins then there’s no reason to make a deal.
Ladbroke Grove
The wins have not stopped coming yet and earlier this year AJ dropped a track which featured Jorja Smith’s vocals, titled after the town he was born in. The Garage type flow is just one of the style’s AJ can deliver on, but the collaboration between these two felt like it should have always been here. You have to check out the LiveLounge cover of this track too…
Fashion Week
You may have seen the likes of Mostack and Steel Banglez names together before, but recently AJ experienced the biggest encounter possible, working with the most sought after producer in the U.K. right now. The three rose to the top of the charts making this a Number 1 single and rightly so. One of AJ’s catchiest chorus’ to date will leave you singing this one for weeks and just listen to Mostack’s first bar…
Doing It
This one is for the Grime fans. It’s hard to say this is AJ doing what he does best, because the man is constantly proving he can do anything best, however this is 10+ years of Grime bangers building up to this track. With the quick 140bpm double time beat and rapid bars, this track is one you want to have pumping as you’re driving in your car, just keep both hands on the wheel as it gets crazy.
After a solid festival season, playing just about every big name imaginable, what could be next for Ladbroke Grove’s finest? With a Number 1 Single and a Number 3 Album this year, it’s hard to imagine what could top it in 2020 but if there’s one thing AJ Tracey is not short of releasing, it’s projects. Without a doubt, we can expect one next year and needless to say, it’s going to be another win for the star, let’s wait and see.
