AJ Tracey (born Ché Wolton Grant on March 4 1994, in Ladbroke Grove, West L… Read Full Bio ↴AJ Tracey (born Ché Wolton Grant on March 4 1994, in Ladbroke Grove, West London, United Kingdom) is a British rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His dad’s a former rapper from Trinidad, and his mum is a Welsh former drum and bass DJ. Based in Ladbroke Grove, West London (although he was raised in the south just like FT and true say, his dad lived in Tottenham), AJ started making waves in the pirate radio scene in 2014, although his songs under the name Looney date back to 2011.
Speaking to GRM about his stage name, AJ explained:
"Basically when I used to shot, I couldn’t give my real name. I used to wear loads of Armani, so I called myself AJ. The Tracey comes from this guy called Stacey in my ends. Everyone used to be/is scared of him so I thought, if a man has a girl’s name and he’s still scaring people, the maybe I should try doing it so I can be THAT guy."
Whether it’s sets on Rinse or Radar Radio alongside his crew, My Team Paid, street singles with rising talents like Dave and Reeko Squeeze, or collaborations with big names like Gorgon City, Tinchy Stryder and P Money, over recent years, AJ has proven himself to be one to watch.
Sure enough, in 2016, he won Best Breakthrough Act at the Rated Awards, and was nominated for the Best Newcomer and Best Grime Act categories at the MOBOs. Following the release of his Lil Tracey EP in December, he also made the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist, the Independent’s Ones to Watch 2017 and the VEVO dscvr Ones to Watch 2017 list. He toured the UK and US throughout 2017.
In October 2017, he released the Secure the Bag! EP, featuring guest vocals from Jme, Denzel Curry, 67 and Craig David. The eight-track project became his first to enter the UK Albums Chart, coming in at number thirteen.
In early 2018, AJ Tracey modelled for the OVO clothing line in 2018.[26] In May 2018, Tracey released the single "Butterflies" featuring Not3s. The song served as AJ Tracey's commercial breakthrough, peaking at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was followed up with "Lo(v/s)er", which peaked at number 38. Tracey also featured on Craig David's album "The Time is now" collaborating on the track "Somebody like me". In early July 2019 the Swedish rapper Z.E [sv] released his second album, Mer än rap ("more than rap"). Tracey was featured on the title track "More Than Rap".
On 21 November 2018, Tracey announced the pre-order of his self-titled debut album, released on 8 February 2019. The lead single, "Doing It", was released for streaming and digital on the same day. Four more singles were released to promote AJ Tracey: "Butterflies" featuring Not3s, "Psych Out!", "Necklace" featuring Jay Critch, and "Ladbroke Grove". AJ Tracey debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and is certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Ladbroke Grove" became Tracey's highest-charting single peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. On 10 October 2019, Tracey announced the upcoming release of a deluxe edition of AJ Tracey, to feature five new songs and a couple of surprises. The album was released on 25 October. On 14 February 2020, AJ Tracey announced his Australian tour starting in Adelaide on 24 April, but was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 22 March 2021, AJ Tracey announced via a fake press conference on YouTube his second studio album titled Flu Game as well as the album's tracklist, which was released on 16 April 2021. The album includes singles such as Dinner Guest, West Ten, "Anxious", and "Bringing It Back". 5 hours prior to the release of the album, AJ released the single "Little More Love" as well as releasing a music video on YouTube.
Speaking to GRM about his stage name, AJ explained:
"Basically when I used to shot, I couldn’t give my real name. I used to wear loads of Armani, so I called myself AJ. The Tracey comes from this guy called Stacey in my ends. Everyone used to be/is scared of him so I thought, if a man has a girl’s name and he’s still scaring people, the maybe I should try doing it so I can be THAT guy."
Whether it’s sets on Rinse or Radar Radio alongside his crew, My Team Paid, street singles with rising talents like Dave and Reeko Squeeze, or collaborations with big names like Gorgon City, Tinchy Stryder and P Money, over recent years, AJ has proven himself to be one to watch.
Sure enough, in 2016, he won Best Breakthrough Act at the Rated Awards, and was nominated for the Best Newcomer and Best Grime Act categories at the MOBOs. Following the release of his Lil Tracey EP in December, he also made the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist, the Independent’s Ones to Watch 2017 and the VEVO dscvr Ones to Watch 2017 list. He toured the UK and US throughout 2017.
In October 2017, he released the Secure the Bag! EP, featuring guest vocals from Jme, Denzel Curry, 67 and Craig David. The eight-track project became his first to enter the UK Albums Chart, coming in at number thirteen.
In early 2018, AJ Tracey modelled for the OVO clothing line in 2018.[26] In May 2018, Tracey released the single "Butterflies" featuring Not3s. The song served as AJ Tracey's commercial breakthrough, peaking at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was followed up with "Lo(v/s)er", which peaked at number 38. Tracey also featured on Craig David's album "The Time is now" collaborating on the track "Somebody like me". In early July 2019 the Swedish rapper Z.E [sv] released his second album, Mer än rap ("more than rap"). Tracey was featured on the title track "More Than Rap".
On 21 November 2018, Tracey announced the pre-order of his self-titled debut album, released on 8 February 2019. The lead single, "Doing It", was released for streaming and digital on the same day. Four more singles were released to promote AJ Tracey: "Butterflies" featuring Not3s, "Psych Out!", "Necklace" featuring Jay Critch, and "Ladbroke Grove". AJ Tracey debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and is certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Ladbroke Grove" became Tracey's highest-charting single peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. On 10 October 2019, Tracey announced the upcoming release of a deluxe edition of AJ Tracey, to feature five new songs and a couple of surprises. The album was released on 25 October. On 14 February 2020, AJ Tracey announced his Australian tour starting in Adelaide on 24 April, but was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 22 March 2021, AJ Tracey announced via a fake press conference on YouTube his second studio album titled Flu Game as well as the album's tracklist, which was released on 16 April 2021. The album includes singles such as Dinner Guest, West Ten, "Anxious", and "Bringing It Back". 5 hours prior to the release of the album, AJ released the single "Little More Love" as well as releasing a music video on YouTube.
Graveyard Shift
AJ Tracey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Ice, ice, baby
Dun-dun, dun-dun, dun-dun-dun, dun-dun
Ice, ice, motherfucker
Let's go
It sounds like Nyge
(It sounds like Nyge)
Look
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
Yeah, I'm on a plane (plane)
Jewelry out, I ain't tuckin' my chain (bling)
Can't reply, I've got nothin' to gain (nah)
Don't claim points you never stained (no way)
Demon time like BK (Brooklyn)
I was eighteen when I first hit the freeway (baow)
Two blondes weedin' up like a DJ
I'm the leader, run the yard like I'm Tjay
Dig what I'm sayin' or dig up a grave (grave)
I was sellin' pills in the rave (I was there)
Razor on me, give a brother a shave (ching)
Dip, duck, dive, or you'll get raised (baow)
I'ma pull up in that foreign (skrr)
Keep it a G like warren (like Warren)
Got the horsepower like Ralph (like Ralphie)
And we gotta stick that Lauren (that polo)
See the way I do my dance? (My dance)
Milli' in the back, no advance (let's go)
Still got funds for a face shot (baow)
Fly from the UK through France (bonjour)
Fuck with the set and you're buggin' (buggin')
See him (see him), slug him (slug him)
Tetley (Tetley), mug him (mug him')
Big tits, got bare, no huggin' (bah)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah, I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Man if you insist, man ah take loads
Man with the assist bro, that's bro (big bro)
Family tings and we all got a role
If I stick out on you, you ain't gettin' trolled
If I stick out on you, you ain't gettin' old
Thirty-six hoes, only four-five I know (brr)
Know there's a crop every time it snows
Bakery boy, how I'm needin' dough
Givin' out ten stripes, give you a cold
Dippin' in the s5, rippin' up road
Shinin' glow, not no jury clothes
And the fishscale shine, put the magic in a bowl
Told you before, I'm bad to the bone
Menace in the game, it ain't no Capcom (hadouken)
Fucks my girl with no condom on
'Cause she knows who's the father, just had a son
Up late (up late), two cups (two cups)
Two bae (two bae), move up (move up)
Midfield (midfield), Luka (Luka)
Smoke man (smoke man), hookah (hookah)
Dior on my kick (kick), came on the creps (came)
Pull up on gang (gang), I love me a frat (what?)
You get on real, she out and she wet
Your miss is for real, her shit is to let (go, go, go)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah, I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
Dun-dun, dun-dun, dun-dun-dun, dun-dun
Ice, ice, motherfucker
Let's go
It sounds like Nyge
(It sounds like Nyge)
Look
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
Yeah, I'm on a plane (plane)
Jewelry out, I ain't tuckin' my chain (bling)
Can't reply, I've got nothin' to gain (nah)
Don't claim points you never stained (no way)
Demon time like BK (Brooklyn)
I was eighteen when I first hit the freeway (baow)
Two blondes weedin' up like a DJ
I'm the leader, run the yard like I'm Tjay
Dig what I'm sayin' or dig up a grave (grave)
I was sellin' pills in the rave (I was there)
Razor on me, give a brother a shave (ching)
Dip, duck, dive, or you'll get raised (baow)
I'ma pull up in that foreign (skrr)
Keep it a G like warren (like Warren)
Got the horsepower like Ralph (like Ralphie)
And we gotta stick that Lauren (that polo)
See the way I do my dance? (My dance)
Milli' in the back, no advance (let's go)
Still got funds for a face shot (baow)
Fly from the UK through France (bonjour)
Fuck with the set and you're buggin' (buggin')
See him (see him), slug him (slug him)
Tetley (Tetley), mug him (mug him')
Big tits, got bare, no huggin' (bah)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah, I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Man if you insist, man ah take loads
Man with the assist bro, that's bro (big bro)
Family tings and we all got a role
If I stick out on you, you ain't gettin' trolled
If I stick out on you, you ain't gettin' old
Thirty-six hoes, only four-five I know (brr)
Know there's a crop every time it snows
Bakery boy, how I'm needin' dough
Givin' out ten stripes, give you a cold
Dippin' in the s5, rippin' up road
Shinin' glow, not no jury clothes
And the fishscale shine, put the magic in a bowl
Told you before, I'm bad to the bone
Menace in the game, it ain't no Capcom (hadouken)
Fucks my girl with no condom on
'Cause she knows who's the father, just had a son
Up late (up late), two cups (two cups)
Two bae (two bae), move up (move up)
Midfield (midfield), Luka (Luka)
Smoke man (smoke man), hookah (hookah)
Dior on my kick (kick), came on the creps (came)
Pull up on gang (gang), I love me a frat (what?)
You get on real, she out and she wet
Your miss is for real, her shit is to let (go, go, go)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
I do my dance, I work all night, I graveyard shift (I graveyard shift)
I play my part, I get things right, I do my bit (yeah, I do my bit)
Only ever had man tellin' me I'm never gonna get where I need to (them man can suck their mamas)
Heart on my sleeve type guy, when it comes to emotions I'm see-through (that's just the facts)
The lyrics of "Graveyard Shift" by AJ Tracey and slowthai show two rappers who work hard and hustle to get where they are. They are unapologetic about their emotions and heart-on-the-sleeve mentality. AJ Tracey talks about how he is always working, doing his dance and playing his part, and how he has only had people telling him he can't achieve his goals. But he remains transparent about his emotions, stating that he is see-through when it comes to them. Slowthai continues the theme of hustling and hard work, mentioning the different cities he's travelled to, and how he's been selling pills and running the yard like Tjay. The line "see him, slug him, Tetley, mug him" is a play on words, referencing the old beer commercial tagline "Tetley, make tea, make time," while also talking about getting violent with someone. The last verse mentions random things and doesn't follow a particular theme, but the whole song seems to be an ode to hard work, honesty, and being unapologetically authentic.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Che Wolton Grant, Nyandoro Kelly, Tyron Frampton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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