West London’s AJ Tracey and Birmingham’s Jorja Smith have reunited for nostalgic new single in time for Valentine’s Day.
The new track, aptly titled “Crush”, comes as the pair’s first work together since “Ladbroke Grove” in 2019 and samples UK rapper Wretch 32’s 2006 grime track “Used to Be” featuring Scorcher, Mercston and Ghetts—itself a rework of Brandy’s 2000s “Love Wouldn’t Count Me Out”. Produced by Raheem Balogun, AJ Platinum and Nathaniel London, the bouncy R&G soundtrack provides a perfect foundation for Tracey’s smooth lyricism and Jorja’s newfound bars to glide atop.
Speaking on the single, AJ Tracey stated: “This track ‘Crush’ is really important to me, it’s a re-uniting of me and my good friend who also happens to be my favourite singer, on a British sonic that perfectly represents both of us. This song sounds like the feeling I used to get in secondary school when I fancied a girl, rushing home to call them on my old Nokia, sharing MP3s we think each other would like, and talking all night on MSN. It’s a UK ting!”
Jorja Smith added: “This tune just takes me back, it feels young but also brand new. Makes me feel how I did when I first started dropping music, makes me think of getting on the bus to school, makes me think of summer in the 2000’s – all types of feelings!”
Listen to and watch “Crush” below.