STYLE AND CULTURE
GET TO KNOW AJ TRACEY
March 10, 2019
With the release of his self-titled debut album last month, grime artist AJ Tracey is the name on everyone's lips. For their latest Spring 2019 issue, ASOS Mag sat down with the MC and Producer to talk style, mental health and Drake DMs. Read excerpts from the interview below and get your copy of latest issue to read the full convo, plus interviews with Adwoa Aboah, KJ Apa and loads more.
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On his personal style:
"[It's] West London. If I’m moody, which is 90% of the time, I just wear black. If I’m not, [I get] a little bit of color in there. If I’m performing, I’m trying to embody a rock star. Ripped jeans, buckled Gucci boots, black Louis [Vuitton] bracelets. If I’m in the ends, a tracksuit, a black coat, some [Nike] Air Forces. If I’m turning up somewhere, a polo. If I’m going to a soccer match, Stone Island everything with the Spurs scarf I got from White Hart Lane the day it closed."
On his sneaker game:
"The only person I know who has more trainers than me is [DJ] Charlie Sloth. I have, like, 150 pairs in my mom’s attic and 200 in my house. Air Force 1 is obviously the mandem creps."
On his grooming essentials:
"Razac cream, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, Blistex lip balm. I’ve got every Chanel spray — I like Chanel Homme Sport best. I’ll use conditioner but not shampoo every time, 'cause my hair will start locking up. I like it to be a bit locked so the volume’s heavy. Also, hair mayonnaise, sometimes, and coconut oil."
Picture: Eliot Kennedy, Styled by Jo Greasley
On the new album:
"Got some country music on there, a US feature with one of my boys. That’s my favorite and both of us f*ck it up. I got a garage tune as well."
On mentors:
"Skepta gives me good advice. Stormzy gives me the best advice I’ve ever had. With the whole 'being independent' thing, he’s been there so he tells me how to deal with it all."
On his DM from Drake:
"He said, 'Yo bruda, you’re a bad MC. I heard your Fire In The Booth. You’re killing it. Link up soon.' I replied, 'Boom when are you gonna be about?' He told me when, he came and he linked me."
On what he's passionate about:
"The Labour party, Grenfell Tower and mental health. I have depression and anxiety, so I speak about it. When people know how you feel, they can help you feel better. Grenfell Tower is my area and my friends passed away in the fire. If you see anything to do with Grenfell, buy into it. Don’t let people forget."
