AJ Tracey Releases His Third Studio Album 'Don’t Die Before You’re Dead' After Four-Year Wait

“Alhamdulillah the mandem made it”, AJ Tracey announces on ‘Second Nature’, a hard-hitting grime track that samples Giggs’ 'The Essence', off of his latest album. It’s a fact. It’s common knowledge. And it’s something which shouldn’t be taken for granted because in an industry which leans towards trends and what’s the new flavour of the month, AJ Tracey is one of the few from an era of UK rappers from the mid 2010s who has kept his consistency, relevance and authenticity. Attention, however, is something difficult to hold on to.

As a rapper, AJ is more refined than he was in 2019 when he released his self-titled debut AJ Tracey. However, it is very easy for you to close your eyes, press play on this album, and think to yourself that you're in that aforementioned year. Humour me. Do it.

However AJ isn’t a rising star, he’s established and experienced, who now has the challenge making music that appeals to a younger audience, whilst reflecting the experiences he and his peers have lived through, because the world isn’t the same place as it once was, and neither are you, or AJ.

"I want to showcase growth, the 30-year-old rapper explains. “To hammer home that the UK is a melting pot of cultures, and that I’m proud to be British—no matter how hard people try to make it about ‘us versus them’."

Focusing on elements of grime and rap, real and familiar on certain tracks by bringing close friend Big Zuu to join him, Wax, Ets and D7 on ‘Paid In Full’, AJ leans further into the elements of grime that shaped him, bringing raw energy as each rapper attacks their verse with aggression.

An Electronic and hypnotic dub, ‘Jeff Hardy’, is an offering where the rapper is Confident and cocky, as he enjoys his fame, success and status. AJ is all bravado as he raps, “This ain't UFC but promise I’ll weigh him in, like all my opps have Covid-19 they are staying in, diss my mother on my mother I’m spraying him.”

Portuguese for play beautifully, ‘Joga Bonito’ is a fun track that showcases his lyrical ability over a silky sampled beat, carefully considering the words he puts together, he paints the perfect picture of a romantic encounter, pulling together colourful wordplay and metaphors.

The Ladbroke Grove artist on ‘West Life’ reflects on a situationship on whether he was just passing the time until she moved on. He raps breathing meaning into his words, “Needed a TLC but she left I,  our destiny never had a child but she came from the south and I from the west life.”

Speaking about the track, he said: “I’m always around the mandem and it can be so toxic. (But) “when I’m with a love interest, I want it to be soft and passionate. I need a space in my life that’s warm.”

Collaborating with Jorja Smith on ‘Crush’, a spiritual successor to their UKG hit ‘Ladbroke Grove’ off of the West Londoner’s first album – the song carries the mood of infatuation, innocence and intense young love.

Bringing the gap between him and the next generation, ‘Talking Stage’ featuring Manchester rapper Nemzz sees Nemzz lead, before AJ is quick to follow him out of the blocks, the two going back to back as they reflect on modern dating and it’s lack of patience.

Cautionary, ‘Chatrooms’ is a warning about liking the wrong girl. Upbeat and energetic, filling up the soundscape but leaving enough space for AJ’s voice to cut through the noise.

There are moments of vulnerability, a criticism, though, is that there are not more of them because these are the moments that provide an insightful look into AJ. ‘Third Time Lucky’ and ‘Imposter Syndrome’ are arguably the best songs on the album.

Thoughtful and introspective, ‘Third Time Lucky’ is a heartfelt dedication to his mother, opening up about when she was ill, life’s fragility and the need to trap to provide a better life for her. He raps with a hardness, “they say it’s the strongest people that God chooses for the hardest wars/that’s why the first time she was ill she was, shining bright on the darkest ward.”

"I wanted to set the tone early. This isn’t just another braggadocious AJ record," he explains. "I don’t usually talk about my private life, but once you’re in the public eye, you’ve sold your privacy in exchange for success. I feel emotionally stable enough to talk about my life now."

Whilst in two minutes, twenty-seven, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ sees AJ Tracey style with a charismatic air which is magnetic as he lets his stream of consciousness flow, venting, circling around the thoughts plaguing him.

Ending with ‘Red Wine’, he breaks sonically away from his safety yet for an indie and electronic soundscape. Hazy electronics, warm guitar acoustics, and Master Peace's earthy tone act as a mirage for the upcoming summer days ahead.

Don’t Die Before You’re Dead is proof that AJ Tracey has persevered and made it to the top, but hopefully he decides to keep on climbing, allowing us into his private world more often.

"I realised I hadn’t been doing enough growing—learning new things, going to new places, spending time with my mum, studying Islam. It was necessary for me to take my time," he reflects on the time spent away from releasing.

"I went to therapy, had difficult conversations, spent time with my mum, and finally made peace with my dad. He’s just a human who made mistakes."

Full track list below:

1. Outta Sight

2. Second Nature

3. 3rd Time Lucky

4. Crush (feat. Jorja Smith)

5. Chat Rooms

6. Talking Stage (feat. Nemzzz)

7. Prem Proven

8. Jeff Hardy

9. Paid In Full (feat. Big Zuu, Wax, Ets & D7)

10. West Life

11. Joga Bonito

12. Friday Prayer (feat. Headie One & Aitch)

13. Imposter Syndrome

14. Red Wine (feat. Master Peace)

Listen here below