Morton in Motion

PJ Morton is a multi-talented musician with a diverse career. He is best known as the keyboardist for the pop band Maroon 5, having joined them in 2012. But his talents extend far beyond the stage. 

He is also a prolific singer, songwriter, and record producer. Before Maroon 5, he carved a successful path in the R&B and gospel genres. 

Now, Morton is taking listeners to a journey through Africa with his latest album Cape Town to Cairo, which was released mid this month.

In 2023, he embarked on a transformative journey to Africa seeking new inspiration and musical landscapes alongside the Empire Africa team.

He describes the 30-day tour as the best of his life, which saw him visit and record songs in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt.

“I have been told so many things about Africa and I was asked so many questions before I went to Africa … seeing for myself broke so many narratives that I was told. I realised that perceptions usually depend on who is telling the story,” he says. 

His goal was to immerse himself in Africa’s soundscapes and cultures, with plans to create a collaborative project that showcases the continent’s musical diversity beyond just Afrobeats.

“As a Black American who had never been to South or West Africa, I knew there was something there waiting for me. I’ve made albums in every type of way you can think, so I wanted to try something I hadn’t done before,” he says.

“When you have been in music as long as I have, you are constantly looking for inspiration and you are looking for the things that made you want to do it in the first place,” he adds.

Born Paul Sylvester Morton Jr, he grew up in the rich musical environment of New Orleans, a city renowned for its vibrant music and cultural scene.

Grounded by the sound of the church, he soon found himself drawn to R&B, pop, and soul.

Despite facing mounting pressure, rejection and constant miscategorisation, Morton committed himself to a steadfast path of independence, making music on his terms.

This journey led him to launch his record label Morton Records. Throughout his illustrious career, he has collaborated with renowned artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste, Nas, Lil Wayne, JoJo, Yebba and Jill Scott.

He has produced and written songs for Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Jagged Edge, Monica, India-Arie and gospel musicians Fred Hammond, Men of Standard, Brian Courtney Wilson and Heather Headly. 

Through PJ Morton’s transformation from preacher’s kid to the busiest man in showbiz – he remains commitment to steadfast independence, making music on his terms.

Cape Town to Cairo

In the album, Cape Town to Cairo, the opening track of the album, Smoke & Mirrors sets the tone for his life-changing journey to Africa. The song is about defying preconceptions and was inspired by his time abroad and his experience in the music business

The album features rich collaborations that highlight the unique sounds and talents of African artistes.

On the track Count On Me, he teams up with Nigerian superstar Fireboy DML to deliver uplifting messages about the power of friendship and unity.

Another track, Who Are You, features Made Kuti from Nigeria, while “All The Dreamers” he collaborates with Ada and Ndabo Zulu from South Africa.

The song Simunye (We Are One) features the Soweto Spiritual Singers, showcasing native sounds and the pride of belonging to something bigger than oneself.

One of the album’s highlights, Please Be Good is a collaboration between Morton and Nigerian producer P.Priime, an influential force in Afrobeats and Hip Hop.

P.Priime’s credits include songs with Burna Boy, CKay, Davido, Fireboy DML and Wizkid.

“I was in Lagos, Nigeria, and one of my favourite new producers, P.Priime, played this beat, and I immediately took out my phone to record ideas. I love that it’s a mixture of so many vibes,” Morton says.

In addition to his musical endeavours, PJ Morton recently wrote the closing song for Regina King’s Netflix film Shirley and announced his upcoming (November 12 2024) memoir Saturday Night, which recounts his trailblazing path that defies expectations and straddles the tensions of music and faith, race and culture, expression and identity.

He also just became the first Black composer to write music for a Disney attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The historic collaboration opens today (June 28 2024) at Disney World and later this year at Disneyland. The new ride features his original, New Orleans-inspired soundtrack and theme song, Special Spice.

Morton, who is also part of Maroon 5 as the band’s full-time keyboardist for the past 14 years, is now set for his return to the African continent this September alongside his band Afro Orleans for his first live show and tour in Africa.

The show will cut across Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Accra, Lagos and Nairobi (September 15, 2024).