- 2025-06-13
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MUSIC
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AJ Tracey Premieres New Song “West Life” on BBC Radio 1
London-based rapper AJ Tracey will release his third studio album “Don't Die Before You're Dead” this Friday (June 13th).
It marks his first album in four years since the 2021 album “Flu Game”.
From the album, he premiered a new song “West Life” on BBC Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders.
The song is the fifth single off of the album, following “Crush”, “Friday Prayer”, “Paid In Full”, and “3rd Time Lucky”.
For AJ Tracey, the song is the third track of a trilogy, following the 2019 song “Ladbroke Grove” and the 2020 song “Wes Ten” with Mabel.
It was written and produced by AJ Tracey, Nathaniel London, Remedee. The accompanying music video was directed by LateMilk.
“You need to know that this is the third track that I've named after my beloved West London. We've got 'Ladbroke Grove', got 'Wes Ten' and now we got 'West life',” AJ Tracey told Jack Saunders about the song. “I just think a lot of rappers do show their vulnerable side, and I feel like I haven't done that much. So I think it's kind of my turn to come into the step into the fray and be a little bit vulnerable man. it's cool to be vulnerable man.”- The new album comprises 14 tracks, featuring guest appearances from Jorja Smith, Nemzzz, Big Zuu, D7, Ets, Wax, Aitch, Headie One, and Master Peace.
Produced by AJ Platinum, AJ Tracey, E.Y., Manuka, Nathaniel London, Nyge, Raheem Balogun, Remedee, S7VEN and ZEL.
AJ Tracey told Jack Saunders about the album, “I think I become a little bit more reflective in my older age. I think the most important thing is probably just enjoying it. Like we don't do music forever, it's kind of like football. You don't play football forever. You gotta just enjoy it while you're here. I'm saying so I think more enjoying it and living in the moment, being present is my new thing. Now, a lot of people work jobs that they don't want to do. And it's always a means to an end, and I'm very grateful I'll do a job that I absolutely love.” -
He continued, “I think I just want to give everyone a different side of me. I want to show people growth. And I want people to take the messaging of the album title, which is, if you invert it, 'Don't Die Before You're Dead', it means live while you're alive in it. Enjoy it. Man, enjoy your life.” - source : BBC Radio 1
