CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF HIS SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT 8TH FEBRUARY 2019
WORLD TOUR GOES ON SALE FRIDAY 23RD NOVEMBER @ 10AM VIA AJTRACEY.CO.UK
During a surprise appearance for 200 selected fans last night at a skatepark in his home area of West London, and just days after his summer hit “Butterflies” was certified Gold, AJ Tracey has confirmed the release of his self-titled album.
“AJ Tracey” – the highly-anticipated debut record – arrives on February 8th 2019, marking a hugely exciting return for the multi award-winning rapper. Recorded between London and LA over the past twelve months, the album promises to build on AJ’s ever-expanding repertoire of styles and sounds, after a year where the world class Londoner has tried his hand at everything from afrobeat to dancehall.
The first single to be shared from the new project is “Doing It” - the Swifta Beater-produced, high-octane banger that sees AJ finally revisiting his grime roots in characteristic style. The powerful single sees self-confessed ‘rockstar’ AJ celebrating his artistic freedom, and sets the pace for the album proper. In the Hamish Stephenson-directed visual, AJ and friends cruise around West London in dune buggies.
At just 24-years-old, nothing could have prepared AJ Tracey for his meteoric rise. The London-born artist has continuously pushed the boundaries of UK rap throughout his self-built journey. Having released music since 2011, AJ found an initial spike in attention with the release of 2015’s The Front and Alex Moran EPs; garnering support on pirate radio stations and beginning to build his name on the UK scene. The Ladbroke Grove rapper was further elevated with his singles “Naila” and “Spirit Bomb”, which led onto 2016’s collaboration with Dave titled “Thiago Silva”; a pivotal moment for both artists. A year and a few singles later, AJ released his Secure The Bag! EP, which saw him catapulted into the UK official chart and securing a position at Number 13. Dabbling in production (AJ co-produced his single ‘LA4AWEEK’ with Nyge) and choosing selective and well-timed releases, AJ really set the pace and found himself with a transatlantic nod of approval from the likes of 30 Seconds to Mars, Drake, Baauer and more. He has already appeared on tracks alongside Missy Elliott, A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross and more. AJ’s 2018 summer single “Butterflies” which featured Not3s, saw him spend an incredible eight weeks in the UK Official top 20, and six weeks on the Radio 1 A-list (with over 70 million streams to date) - proving that AJ is more than one to watch. His follow up single “LO(V/S)ER” was no different - teased with a guerilla marketing campaign in the form of huge AJ Tracey banners and unlock codes popping up all over West London the night before Notting Hill Carnival.
Named by the likes of BBC Sound Poll, VEVO, and more as one to watch, AJ Tracey proved himself as one of the UK’s most dominant talents, winning the MTV Brand New title, GRM Rated awards, and receiving multiple MOBO nominations. The 24 year old even found himself placed in Forbes 30 under 30 for 2018. The fashion world came out in force, with AJ modelling in brand campaigns across the board from Nike to Timberland, Tottenham to the Official FIFA World Cup campaign alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and being named one of Vogue’s ‘Hottest Boys of 2018.’ No mean feat, the rapper has enjoyed support from the likes of Pitchfork, Dazed & Confused, GQ, Wonderland Magazine, i-D, The Guardian and more.
After touring Europe extensively throughout 2018, AJ Tracey is finally coming home and will kick off a World Tour with 14 UK shows, ending at London’s iconic Brixton Academy. The landmark headline show follows on from previous performance highlights including his sold-out 2017 tour finale at Kentish Town Forum, his headline set on the 1Xtra stage at Reading this summer, and more.
Stay tuned to watch AJ Tracey pave the way with a scene-defining debut record.
World Tour 2019 (UK & Ireland Dates):
6/3 • Dublin • Academy
7/3 • Leeds • O2 Academy
8/3 • Cardiff • Y Plas
9/3 • Bristol • Sxw
10/3 • Norwich • Nick Rayns Lcr
12/3 • Brighton • Concorde 2
14/3 • Newcastle • University
15/3 • Glasgow • O2 Academy
16/3 • Manchester • Albert Hall
18/3 • Oxford • O2 Academy
19/3 • Cambridge • Junction
21/3 • Birmingham • O2 Institute
22/3 • Nottingham • Rock City
23/3 • London • O2 Brixton Academy
For more information please contact Joss Meek at Wired PR Joss@wired-pr.co.uk
| Rachel Campbell at Wired PR – Rachel@wired-pr.co.uk