AJ Tracey unveils his third studio album, ‘Don’t Die Before You’re Dead’, alongside new single ‘West Life’ – a new chapter in his evolution with a smooth, sultry R&B flare that explores softness, intimacy, and emotional refuge.
‘West Life’, which lands alongside a James Bond-themed visual, sees AJ trade sharp grime flows for a more melodic flow, opening up about the need for warmth and vulnerability in a life otherwise dominated by pressure and hypermasculinity.
“I’m always around the mandem and it can be so toxic,” AJ explains. “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.”
It’s a sonic shift; but one that fits seamlessly within the emotional arc of ‘Don’t Die Before You’re Dead’, an album that traverses grief, therapy, faith, family, and healing. Where recent singles like ‘3rd Time Lucky’ tackled his mother’s battle with cancer and ‘Paid In Full’ reunited the MTP crew in a gritty ode to his roots, ‘West Life’ closes in on the most private, romantic corners of AJ’s life. It’s mature, measured, and deeply personal.
With a title as bold as ‘Don’t Die Before You’re Dead’, the album is expected to delve into themes of ambition, resilience, and living life to the fullest—core values that have defined AJ’s journey from Ladbroke Grove to the top of the UK rap scene. It’s a matured sound from the West London-hailing creative, and lyrically, a moment for AJ to show his growth and development over his career. Fans can anticipate a body of work that not only showcases his evolution as an artist but also continues to push the boundaries of UK music.