IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

AJ Tracey

The Baths, Ipswich

Information - AJ Tracey

“I want to showcase growth and hammer home that the UK is a melting pot of cultures. I’m proud to be British—no matter what people try to tell you,” says AJ Tracey, three years since his last album. The hiatus, marked by leaked songs and pandemic delays, has birthed Don’t Die Before You’re Dead—a reflection of his evolution.

The album is a love letter to the UK, fusing grime, garage, and R&B with themes of trauma, mental health, faith, and love. The poetic Friday Prayer explores AJ’s journey with Islam, while 3rd Time Lucky poignantly tackles his mother’s battle with cancer. “I wanted to show this isn’t just another braggadocious record,” he explains – though tracks like Second Nature and Out of Sight showcase his signature swagger to rapturous effect.

AJ’s growth is palpable throughout the album—an unapologetically British statement of maturity, authenticity, and self-acceptance. “I’ve experienced vulnerability… I’ve levelled up.”