After closing out his sold-out Not Even A Tour run and lighting up Radio 1’s Big Weekend with a powerful back-to-back headline set alongside Aitch, AJ Tracey unveils his most emotionally raw single to date. ‘3rd Time Lucky,’ out now, is a moving tribute to his mum and her battle and recovery from cancer – offering fans a deeply personal insight into a formative chapter of his life.
“‘3rd Time Lucky’ is about going through tough times with your loved ones, but coming through stronger at the end of it. I wanted to be honest but also hopeful, to help give strength to all those who need it.”
A stripped-back, soul-bearing release, ‘3rd Time Lucky’ finds AJ at his most vulnerable, reflecting on fear, gratitude, and the quiet strength of family. The single closes with a special message from Maggie’s, the UK-based cancer support charity, who AJ is supporting through this release and also through a fundraiser via YouTube.
“AJ’s support will help us raise awareness of Maggie’s amongst his fans and ensure they know where to turn if they, or someone they love, is facing cancer. The track is incredibly heartfelt and shines an important light on what it is like to be a young man with a parent with cancer. We are incredibly grateful to AJ for thinking of us and including us at the end of his music video for his new single ‘3rd Time Lucky’“, shares Dame Laura Lee DBE, Chief Executive of Maggie’s.
The animated video (directed by LateMilk and Imbro) features hand-made puppets brought to life through stop-motion animation. Produced by Ocurens, it tells AJ’s story with poignancy and craft, transforming personal hardship into beautiful visual storytelling.