AJ TRACEY took fans by surprise with the long-awaited release of his highly-anticipated EP Secure The Bag! 2.

The nine-track project caps a huge year for the multi-platinum West London rapper, with a gift for his day-one fans; a return to the harder-edged sound of his formative years.

After deleting his instagram earlier this year, AJ revealed a mystery mobile number, asking his fans to text him for more news, keeping them updated with teasers and news about the forthcoming EP.

He explained: “This one’s for the real day 1 Lil tracey / AJ Tracey / GTraceo fans. I made sure the ones who stuck with me get something in return.”

Essentially a way to say thank you for the endless support AJ has received, not just this year but since he first landed on the scene, Secure The Bag! 2 is almost exclusively solo – with the exception of AJ’s old friends Swoosh God and Sloan Evans, and an appearance from Grammy-nominated Northampton rapper, Slowthai.

Fans will of course remember the original “LA4AWEEK” ft. Swoosh God & Sloan Evans, as well as recognising new offering “Red & Green” – a  flipped-version of his single 2017 “Quarterback” (also produced by Keanu Beats), that AJ teased at his momentous sold-out Alexandra Palace shows at the end of 2019.

Two tracks have been produced by AJ himself, with further tracks seeing production from long-term collaborator Nyge and also, F1lthy & Lukrative from Working On Dying – the buzzing Philadelphia-based producers who have worked with the likes of Lil Uzi Vert and more.

After previously producing 2018’s “Lo(v/s)er”, the incredible Ambezza collaborates with AJ once again, this time alongside Bouncelord  on new offering and stand-out track “Hikikomori”. 

STB!2 is AJ Tracey at his uncompromising best – drawing on his original rap flow but with some added moments of his developed and refined melodic rap that has seen him traversing genres and sonics over the past two years. 

Having released music since 2011, the Ladbroke Grove-hailing rapper saw a pivotal moment in 2016’s now Platinum collaboration with Dave, titled “Thiago Silva.”

A few singles later, AJ released his original Secure The Bag! EP, which is now joined by its 2020 sequel.

An unforgettable soundtrack to the Summer, AJ’s Conducta-produced hit “Ladbroke Grove” was officially the top selling independent single of 2019, now certified Double-Platinum (over 1.2 million sales.)

It is officially the biggest selling Garage record of all time. 

2020 has been AJ’s biggest year to date, with his single “West Ten” with Mabel, (certified Gold) landing in the wake of chart-scaling singles “Dinner Guest” ft. MoStack (eight weeks inside the UK Top Ten, now certified Gold), #1charity single “Times Like These”, and the Platinum-certified TikTok sensation “Rain” with Aitch.

AJ has since featured on Headie One’s “Ain’t It Different” alongside Stormzy – a track that peaked at number two in the UK official chart, clocking AJ’s fifth top-5 single of the year.

Boasting over one billion global streams, AJ continues to push the boundaries of UK Rap, with his dextrous and witty wordplay, and his admirable self-built and independent music journey; a formidable and unwavering talent.