Up-and-coming Saudi rapper and XPERFORM winner AJ Truth has released his second project of 2024, ‘Ab3aad’ (Dimensions), reflecting on his early life, rise in the Saudi scene, lost dreams of becoming a footballer and memories of good times.
The EP features production by beatmakers YoungBoodz and Big Mooo, and includes collaborations with artists Randar, DJ Mubarak, and Masser. Spanning four tracks, the record does not adhere to a single direction. Instead, it moves from trap cuts to Khaleeji rhythms, showcasing a traditional approach to production over which AJ explores his technical skills and writing abilities. AJ’s lyrics come across as personal and reflective, touching on struggles and ambitions.
On ‘Qobtan’, featuring Masser, AJ’s rapid delivery and dynamic flow pair with a driving beat that shifts midway as he switches languages, creating one of the album’s strongest instrumentals. The production overall lacks depth and consistency, though AJ compensates with lyrical skill and strong collaborations, such as ‘Raho Al-Taybeen’ with Randar, one of the EP’s most personal tracks. The final track, ‘El Don’, finds AJ reflecting on his football dreams, suggesting he could pursue the same aspirations through music, with Khaleeji rhythms providing a fresh sound.
Through these strong collaborations and consistency of releases, AJ Truth continues to break through the Saudi rap scene, proving himself as an evolving artist ready to explore wide ranges of styles and directions.
