AJ Tracey: The Ladbroke Grove Rapper Who Took Over UK Music
Biography For AJ Tracey:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ché Wolton Grant |
| Stage Name | AJ Tracey |
| Date of Birth | 4 March 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Place of Birth | Brixton, London |
| Raised In | Ladbroke Grove, West London |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Afro-Trinidadian & Welsh) |
| Religion | Not publicly confirmed |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Father | Afro-Trinidadian (former rapper) |
| Mother | Welsh (former jungle DJ) |
| Cousin | Big Zuu (grime MC) |
| Education | Holland Park School; London Metropolitan University (dropped out) |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Genres | Grime, Hip-Hop, UK Drill, Trap, UK Garage, Dancehall |
| Active Since | 2011 |
| Record Labels | Warner Records, Revenge Records (Independent) |
| Debut Mixtape | Didn’t Make the Cut (2012) |
| Debut Album | AJ Tracey (2019) |
| Latest Album | Don’t Die Before You’re Dead (2025) |
| Notable Songs | “Ladbroke Grove,” “Butterflies,” “Bringing It Back,” “West Ten” |
| Notable Collaborations | Dave, Skepta, Digga D, Gorillaz, Craig David, Nelly Furtado |
| Awards | Best Breakthrough Act – Rated Awards (2016); Brits Billion Award (2023) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £2–5 million |
| Girlfriend | Not publicly confirmed |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram & Twitter/X (@AJTracey) |
When people ask where is AJ Tracey from, the answer is always the same — Ladbroke Grove, West London. That postcode isn’t just a location for him; it’s practically a brand. From pirate radio stations to platinum records, AJ Tracey has become one of the most recognisable names in British music, and his story is one well worth telling in full.
Who Is AJ Tracey? A Quick Introduction
AJ Tracey’s real name is Ché Wolton Grant, a nod to revolutionary icon Che Guevara. Born on 4 March 1994 in Brixton and raised in Ladbroke Grove, West London, he wears his roots proudly in everything he does — from his music to his public persona. He’s a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer whose sound weaves together grime, hip-hop, UK drill, trap, UK garage, and dancehall into something that feels entirely his own.
He’s also a cousin of grime MC Big Zuu, which means musical talent clearly runs in the family.
AJ Tracey Age, Height & Background
So, how old is AJ Tracey? Born on 4 March 1994, he is currently 31 years old. As for AJ Tracey height, he stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) — a detail fans often search for, though it rarely comes up in his music.
AJ Tracey Parents & Ethnicity
AJ Tracey’s parents are a fascinating mix of cultures, which goes a long way toward explaining the genre diversity in his music. His father is of Afro-Trinidadian origin and was himself a rapper in his earlier years. His mother is Welsh and was a former jungle DJ — meaning AJ was essentially raised in a household where music was the language everyone spoke.
When it comes to AJ Tracey ethnicity, he is of mixed heritage — Afro-Trinidadian on his father’s side and Welsh on his mother’s side. That blend of Caribbean and British culture is deeply embedded in his artistic identity.
AJ Tracey Mum
AJ Tracey’s mum deserves a special mention. As a jungle DJ back in the day, she was ahead of her time in UK music culture. Growing up watching her navigate the music world clearly left a mark on Ché, instilling in him both a love for rhythm and a sense that music was a legitimate path worth pursuing.
Is AJ Tracey Muslim?
A question that pops up regularly online is is AJ Tracey Muslim? There is no confirmed public statement from him identifying as Muslim. He has not publicly discussed his religion in detail, so this remains a topic without a definitive answer.
Early Life: From Ladbroke Grove to the Mic
AJ Tracey attended Middle Row Primary School and later Holland Park School, both in West London. He started rapping at the remarkably young age of six — so by the time most kids were figuring out their times tables, he was already crafting bars.
He briefly enrolled in a Criminology course at London Metropolitan University but made the bold call to drop out and focus entirely on music. Looking at where he is today, that gamble clearly paid off.
Early Career (2011–2015): Building the Foundation
AJ Tracey began releasing music online in June 2011 under the aliases “Looney” and “Loonz.” His debut mixtape, Didn’t Make the Cut, dropped in September 2012 and contained 21 UK rap and grime tracks — a solid first statement from someone still finding his footing.
In 2013, he formed the collective “My Team Paid,” surrounding himself with likeminded creatives from his community. His second mixtape, No More Looney, arrived in August 2014 with an impressive 33 tracks via DatPiff, showing he had no shortage of things to say.
He made noise on pirate radio stations, the traditional proving ground for grime artists, before releasing his debut EP The Front in June 2015. Later that year, in December, came Alex Moran — an EP featuring fan favourites “Spirit Bomb” and “Naila” that began to establish his artistic signature.
Rise to Prominence (2016–2017)
By 2016, the wider music world was starting to pay attention. The Guardian listed him as one of the best new acts to catch at festivals that year. His collaboration with Dave — a remix of Ruff Sqwad’s “Pied Piper” titled “Thiago Silva” — became a standout moment that demonstrated his ability to hold his own alongside the very best in British rap.
His fourth EP, Lil Tracey, released in December 2016, landed him on the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist. He picked up the Best Breakthrough Act award at the Rated Awards and received MOBO nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Grime Act — a clean sweep of recognition that confirmed his rising status.
In October 2017, Secure the Bag! became his fifth EP and his first project to chart, debuting at #13 on the UK Albums Chart. That same year, he made his production debut on “LA4AWEEK” (co-produced with Nyge) and produced Big Zuu’s “Tell Man Twice” in August 2017, marking the beginning of a serious production career running parallel to his rap work.
Commercial Breakthrough (2018)
The year 2018 was when AJ Tracey crossed over into the mainstream. He modelled for Drake’s OVO clothing line — a co-sign that spoke volumes about where he was headed. His single “Butterflies” featuring Not3s dropped in May 2018 and peaked at #19 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his commercial breakthrough moment. The follow-up, “Lo(v/s)er,” reached #38, and he featured on Craig David’s album The Time Is Now on the track “Somebody Like Me.”
AJ Tracey Songs & Debut Album (2019)
The self-titled debut album AJ Tracey dropped on February 8, 2019 via Warner Records and made an immediate impact, debuting at #3 on the UK Albums Chart and earning a Silver certification from the BPI. Among AJ Tracey songs, few resonate quite like “Ladbroke Grove” — his lead single from the album that peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart, went Platinum, and earned a nomination for Best Single at the 2020 BRIT Awards.
Other notable tracks from the album include “Doing It,” “Psych Out!,” and “Necklace” featuring Jay Critch. A deluxe edition followed in October 2019 with five additional songs, and he also appeared on Swedish rapper Z.E’s album Mer än rap.
Ladbroke Grove as a song is a love letter to the area he grew up in — a track that captures the spirit, the people, and the energy of West London in under four minutes.
Second Album & Continued Success (2020–2022)
AJ Tracey kept his momentum going through 2021. He appeared on Digga D’s “Bringing It Back” in February, which debuted at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the Official Trending Chart. His second studio album, Flu Game, was released on April 16, 2021 via Revenge Records and debuted at #2 on the UK Albums Chart — his highest chart position at the time.
Flu Game featured standout singles including “Dinner Guest,” “West Ten,” “Anxious,” “Bringing It Back,” and “Little More Love.” He also appeared on the Gorillaz track “Jimmy Jimmy” from the Meanwhile EP in August 2021, adding yet another marquee name to his list of collaborators.
AJ Tracey Live and Direct: Tours & Tickets
Over the years, AJ Tracey live and direct performances have become well-regarded events on the UK music calendar. His AJ Tracey tour dates have taken him across arenas and festivals throughout the UK and Europe, with fans regularly seeking out AJ Tracey tickets whenever new dates are announced. His live shows are known for high energy, strong crowd interaction, and a setlist that spans the full width of his discography — from early mixtape cuts to his latest chart hits.
Production Work & Independent Era (2023–Present)
AJ Tracey reached a major milestone in 2023 when he received the Brits Billion Award from the BPI for surpassing one billion career streams in the UK. That is a staggering number and a testament to how deep his catalogue runs.
As an independent artist, he released “Joga Bonito” in April 2024, which debuted at #22 on the UK Official Independent Singles Chart, followed by “Bubble Bath” in July 2024 — a grime-infused production that showcased his continued sonic evolution. He also reunited with his My Team Paid crew for “Paid In Full” and appeared on Nelly Furtado’s “Showstopper” remix on Christmas Day 2024.
His third studio album, Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, arrived on June 13, 2025 via Revenge Records and peaked at #15 on the UK Albums Chart. That same year, he starred alongside cousin Big Zuu in the Sky Max TV series Big Zuu and AJ Tracey’s Rich Flavours, which saw the pair travelling to Seoul, Scotland, and New York — proving his appeal extends well beyond music.
AJ Tracey Net Worth
AJ Tracey net worth is a topic that naturally comes up given his decade-plus career, multiple charting albums, extensive touring history, brand deals (including the OVO modelling gig), and over one billion UK streams. While no officially confirmed figure exists, estimates from various music industry sources place his net worth in the range of £2–5 million, factoring in music royalties, touring revenue, production credits, and commercial partnerships. That figure is likely to grow as he continues releasing music independently and expanding into television.
AJ Tracey Girlfriend & Personal Life
When it comes to AJ Tracey girlfriend and his romantic life, he has largely kept things private. He is not someone who broadcasts relationships on social media or in interviews, so there is no publicly confirmed partner as of this writing. Fans are curious, understandably, but AJ Tracey seems to prefer letting his music do the talking when it comes to personal matters.
AJ Tracey’s Musical Style & Influences
What makes AJ Tracey stand out in a crowded UK music landscape is his genuinely genre-fluid approach. He moves between grime, British hip-hop, trap, UK drill, UK garage, and dancehall without ever feeling like he’s simply genre-hopping for the sake of it. His rapid grime cadences sit comfortably alongside melodic rap and garage influences, and his lyrics lean into personal narratives and social commentary rooted in West London life.
Growing up with a Trinidadian rapper father and a Welsh jungle DJ mother, he absorbed a huge range of musical reference points from an early age — and it shows.
Notable Collaborations
AJ Tracey has worked with an impressive roster throughout his career, including Dave, Aitch, Skepta, Giggs, MoStack, Mabel, Mahalia, D-Block Europe, Digga D, Nelly Furtado, Craig David, Gorillaz, Big Zuu, Not3s, and Jay Critch. Each collaboration has added a new dimension to his artistic identity.
Cultural Impact & Public Persona
Beyond music, AJ Tracey is a vocal supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC and has appeared in BT Sport Premier League promotional material. He endorsed Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party in the 2017 general election as part of the Grime4Corbyn movement, though he later reflected critically on that experience.
He also spoke out publicly about the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 — a disaster that struck close to home, quite literally, given that it happened near his Ladbroke Grove community. That response showed a side of him that goes beyond entertainment — someone genuinely invested in the people and places that shaped him.
He is widely considered a key figure in the mainstream crossover of UK grime and rap, a bridge between the underground and the charts who never sacrificed authenticity in the process.
AJ Tracey Discography Summary
Mixtapes: Didn’t Make the Cut (2012), No More Looney (2014)
EPs: The Front (2015), Alex Moran (2015), AJ’s Stocking Filler (2015), Lil Tracey (2016), Secure the Bag! (2017)
Studio Albums: AJ Tracey (2019), Flu Game (2021), Don’t Die Before You’re Dead (2025)
Final Thoughts
From asking where is AJ Tracey from to understanding the full arc of his career, it becomes clear that Ladbroke Grove isn’t just his hometown — it is the foundation of everything he has built. His age, his parents’ musical DNA, his ethnicity, his collaborators, his tours, his net worth — all of it connects back to that West London upbringing and the drive it instilled in him. AJ Tracey is not just a successful rapper; he is a cultural product of one of London’s most vibrant communities, and he carries that identity with pride every single time he steps up to the mic.
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