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Editors Pick of The Week
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CD
Walk Alone
Pop-soul artist PJ
Morton returns to his
gospel roots on Let
Go, with his father,...CD
Walk Alone
Pop-soul artist PJ
Morton returns to his
gospel roots on Let
Go, with his father,
veteran gospel artist
Bishop Paul S.
Morton, on PJ’s new
CD, Walk Alone. You
will get your praise on
and find peace with
the song’s passionate
plea: “Let go and let
God.” PJ’s offerings
include the single
The One, Forever,
dedicated to his wife,
and I Need Your Love,
where PJ communicates
a man’s vulnerable
need for his
woman. R&B singer
Tweet makes a guest
appearance on the
reggae-flavored Love
You More. “My father
and family always
allowed me to be me,
and music was my
outlet for creativity,”
says PJ of his soulfulpop
sound. — CW
*On stands April 26, 2010*
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PJ Morton's latest is full of R&B gems
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Review: PJ Morton's latest is full of R&B gems
AP – In this CD cover release Indieblue Music, PJ ...Review: PJ Morton's latest is full of R&B gems
AP – In this CD cover release Indieblue Music, PJ Morton's 'Walk Alone' is shown. (AP Photo/Indieblue Music)
By MESFIN FEKADU, Associated Press Writer Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press Writer
PJ Morton, "Walk Alone" (Indieblu Music)
PJ Morton's fifth album, "Walk Alone," only has 10 songs — but luckily they are all near-perfect gems.
One highlight is "Son of a Preacherman," a song that combines spoken word and soulful singing, where the 29-year-old Morton addresses his upbringing in the church.
There's also the reggae-tinged "Love You More" with singer Tweet, the R&B jam "Don't Ever Leave," and "The One," a finger-snapping tune highlighted by the sax, trumpet and strings, among others.
Morton — who's written for Erykah Badu, Monica and India.Arie, with whom he won a Grammy Award in 2003 — also wrote and produced all but two tracks on "Walk Alone." He may not be walking alone for long if people catch on to this album.
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Tweet's vocals are crisp and Morton sounds great on "Love You More," most impressive song on this CD
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Surround Sound The Savant
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The musically gifted PJ Morton is not just another flash in the pan R&B artist. He’s an
artist’s ar...The musically gifted PJ Morton is not just another flash in the pan R&B artist. He’s an
artist’s artist.
New Orleans born musical prodigy PJ Morton brings
an inspirational and eclectic mix of soul, pop, jazz and
righteousness to a generation who has never seen anything like it. His heavily acoustic sound tells stories of love, life and happiness that everyone can relate to. Born the son of a preacher, the church was an important influence in his upbringing. It was there that PJ honed his skills as an artist, singing and songwriting, long before attending Morehouse College in Atlanta. Prior to graduation, PJ had already achieved musical greatness by penning a Grammy Award-winning song for India.Arie, as well as songs for gospel artist DeWayne Woods.
After college, PJ Morton’s struggle between the church and secular music began. In conflict with the church’s issue with so-called “love music,” PJ wrote and published his own book, Why Can’t I Sing About Love: The Truth About the Church Against Secular Music. “I
felt like this was one of my callings from God,” explains
Morton. “When you discover important information that
people don’t understand clearly, it is your duty to share it and that’s what I did.”
With four albums under his belt, including a live
instrumentation album, the 27-year-old is set to release
his latest, Walk Alone. Entirely written and produced
by PJ, and scheduled for release April 6, the album is a
compilation of PJ’s most inner thoughts. “It’s the best
feeling in the world to know I can affect people with a gift
that God has given me,” says PJ.
—Bilal “Blogzworth” Morris
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YRB Interview: PJ MORTON
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You might not have yet heard of New Orleans native PJ Morton, but with his upcoming fifth album Walk...You might not have yet heard of New Orleans native PJ Morton, but with his upcoming fifth album Walk Alone, the soul man is about to change all that. Morton, whose musical roots are in gospel (his father is a preacher), looks to influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Sting on the new release, which sees him teaming up with producer Warryn Campbell for 10 crisp, soul-drenched tracks. And not only will the album knock your speakers, but it exposes a side of PJ previously unseen in his music, with his recent marriage serving as one of the key driving forces behind his romance-inspired tunes.
In anticipation of the Grammy Award-winning musician’s April 6th release, PJ hopped on the phone with YRB to discuss everything from his working relationship with longtime collaborator India.Arie to his love of Stevie Wonder. Speaking on the album, PJ discussed how this album musically compares to previous works, how Walk Alone is a “concept” album, why Tweet is the only guest star on the joint, what he’s thinking about doing for his sixth album and what else we can expect from this multi-talented performer in the near future.
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YRB: New album Walk Alone is on the way, and it’s your fifth studio album. How would you say this album musically compares to past releases?
PJ: In the past, I've always used straight live instrumentation. We went in the studio and cut it old school style with the band. This go-around, I kind of mixed it in and put some synthetic sounds, I used more keyboards this time around. Even some drums I made on drum machines and used that instrumentation. I still had the live string orchestra, I still had the live horns. Those parts of it, I kept, because that's who I am, musically. But I wanted to create a new sound for this record that I hadn't used before, so that's the difference.
YRB: I listened to it, and from the first track, there's a heavy Stevie Wonder influence. How much of an influence would you say he is on your music
PJ: Stevie, I would say is the number one influence on me, has been on me, as a songwriter from the very beginning. I don't like to get deep on interviews, but I really feel like Stevie Wonder taught me how to write songs. I started writing songs because of him. Somebody gave me an old cassette tape, and it had the Stevie Wonder song that I hadn't heard before, and it's like a light bulb turned on in my head and that started my discovery of Stevie. And my father had given me allowance every week, and with that allowance, I would buy a new Stevie Wonder record every week, from the earliest record I could find and I would just go in chronological order and what that did for me was… I was just engulfed in nothing but Stevie. I wasn't even writing then. I was about 13, so when I started to write, it was like that stuff was in me, because I was listening to so much of it. So he's the number one influence, for sure.
YRB: I know you worked with India.Arie a lot, and she came out swinging saying that she was a huge Stevie fan. Is that where you found common ground?
PJ: It's crazy, that's precisely where we found common ground. The way I met India was we stayed in the same apartment complex when I was in college, and there was a piano in the lobby and I was playing on the piano and she heard me playing. We didn't know each other at all, she had just signed her deal at Motown, so I didn't know her either. And she came down, we started to talk and we somehow got on Stevie. She sang “Ribbon in the Sky” right there and I played it for her, and that was it. That started our friendship right there, and of course, after the friendship came the music where we collaborated. But that's exactly what we connected on, was Stevie, because she knew a song that people didn't normally know. So I was like, “Oh, she's a real Stevie head.” Like, she knew the song “Summer Soft.” I'm like, that's my favorite song too! So people aren't really hip on that song, but I knew she was the real deal.
YRB: This album was co-produced with Warryn Campbell. What was it like working with him on this album?
PJ: I did two songs with Warryn, and he is one of my mentors in music. I think he's a young Quincy Jones in the way that he approaches it. He's a real music guy, and it was just great to work with somebody whose records I looked up to. His work, I've looked up to for years, so to actually connect with him and collaborate was an honor, really.
YRB: What was your collaborative process like for the songs you did with him?
PJ: We worked on songs for other artists, but for my record, the process was a bit different because I usually just write my songs, and they were already fully written when I brought them to him, and what he did for this album was kind of Warryn-ize them. He put his thing on top of what I already had, and you could hear the quality and the change in how he made it bigger. So that was the process for this. When we worked with other artists, usually he'll send me an idea and then I'll write to it and then we'll both add on top of that. So we have different processes.
YRB: This is being declared a “concept” album. How, in your words, is this a concept album?
PJ: I'd say the concept for this record, being Walk Alone, although all the songs don't tie into that conceptually, it's the fact that I am choosing my own way in music. Not necessarily choosing the popular route. I stay true to my heart and just hope that people dig it. I heard Jay-Z say, “I make music selfishly,” and I agree with that. It's like, I make it for myself and I hope that people like it. So in doing that, I've had to walk alone lots of times musically by not just doing what I know can work on radio, because I work with those producers. I worked under Jermaine Dupri for a year, so I know how to play that game. But I didn't want to play the game as an artist, so it caused me to have to walk alone in music. And that's the concept of this record, just showing that there aren't creative boundaries.
YRB: The only guest star you have on the album is Tweet. How come you picked her as the sole featured artist?
PJ: Well this record I feel like is an introduction. I have been successful with my audience and my following. My underground following has been very loyal through the years. Like, this is album five. But the approach, press-wise and radio-wise and marketing-wise, is somewhat coming from the underground finally, and touching mainstream. So I felt like it was an introduction and I didn't want to cloud that with a whole bunch of collaborations. I wanted people to get who I was before I started to add that, because the next record, I plan to bring on a few more folks to help me with the record, but this one was a reintroduction.
YRB: Are you already thinking about the next record? You seem to already be thinking about it.
PJ: Yeah, I probably shouldn't talk about it, but in my brain, I'm trying to control myself because I've got to work this record. But I actually wrote these songs a little while ago, and it's kind of like I only write when I feel like I have something to say, and it seems that I have a lot of new things to say right now. So we're going to work this Walk Alone record, man. Work it into the ground. I can't wait to get on tour and work this record. But of course man, anybody creative, the juices are flowing for me right now, for sure.
YRB: I also understand that you’re a newlywed. How has married life found its way into your music or influenced your creative process?
PJ: I've always loved love, and I've always talked about love and talked about the one and talked about relationships. So in that way, it hasn't changed much, because I'm a storyteller. It's not always just based on my life. It's based on what I would like to happen in my life, or it's based on other people's lives. I like stories. So sometimes, it's 90% somebody else and 10% me. So I guess all that's happened is it's kind of become more me, because I'm actually in it. I can write a love song when I'm not in love. I can write a happy song when I'm sad, so I'm not the type of writer who has to be living it to write it. So it hasn't changed that much, I'm still talking about those ups and downs of relationships, the good times and the bad times.
YRB: Looking ahead, once the album comes out, I know you want to take this on tour. Is there anything else in the works?
PJ: Well I have a documentary that I worked on with a company in the UK. It's called Son of a Preacher Man and it kind of shows my life of being the son of a preacher and not necessarily choosing his path as a preacher, and not even just that, but not going into gospel music but going into what I felt was my path. So it has different artists that I've worked with on there, it has performances on there. It's just a documentary breaking down that aspect of my life, so I'm excited about that. That'll be close to the record, as well as I've just released a book online basically, and at my shows, called Why Can't I Sing About Love? And that talks about the age-old argument that Ray Charles fought and Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin of secular versus sacred music. I'm finally tackling that subject head-on. People kind of check it and don't really deal with it, but I wanted to because I've dealt with that my whole life by being a pastor's kid and dealing with that. So I'm excited about those two projects. WhyCantISingAboutLove.com is where the book is.
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PJ Morton Dishes on His New Book and Album "Walk Alone"
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The long-standing debate over secular versus sacred music and what’s considered acceptable in the ch...The long-standing debate over secular versus sacred music and what’s considered acceptable in the church still continues. PJ Morton is no stranger to this topic because he once faced rejection from the church community over his decision to make the music he enjoyed. The child of gospel music royalty, the Grammy-winning producer, singer-songwriter talks about not limiting his music to one genre, his new album and why he wants his legacy to be about freedom.
–felicia j. barclay
For people who aren’t familiar with PJ Morton, can you give a brief background on your songwriting and production credits?
... I got my mainstream break working with India.Arie on her second record, Voyage To India [for] which I won a Grammy. Then I transitioned and started to work with Jermaine Dupri, Monica, Jagged Edge [and] LL Cool J. After I worked with J.D. I worked with Musiq Soulchild, Ruben Studdard [and] Mary Mary. So I had my hands in a few different things over the years.
How would you describe your music?
I call it soulful-pop music. I wanted to be soulful and touch people in their hearts. And I wanted it to be pop in the sense that I didn’t want to be limited to one group of people or age group.
You also recently authored your first book. Who was your target audience?
It’s called Why Can’t I Sing About Love and I guess the target audience would be anybody who's ever asked that question or have been questioned about the age-old argument about secular versus sacred music.
Let’s talk about the new album.
It's called Walk Alone and I’m still talking about love and life and still trying to inspire people in their lives. It’s a very musical record. I still have the live strings and the horns. I want it to be clear that I’m a musician.
What do you hope your impact in music will be?
Freedom is huge for me. ... I want my legacy to be that. I want people to understand that you can be free to talk about real things. Just because you believe in God doesn’t mean you have to say his name in every single song that you have. ... I don’t want people to ever think I had to comprise the music.
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Artist on the Come Up _ PJ Morton
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Who is Pj Morton? Not known to the mainstream just yet, Pj Morton is a true artist. He writes, sings...Who is Pj Morton? Not known to the mainstream just yet, Pj Morton is a true artist. He writes, sings, plays, and produces his own songs all the while not allowing himself to be boxed in by industry confines. In a music industry where most artists are mere puppets of the "suits" that run the record company Morton is a breath of fresh air. His songs are unabashedly honest (see: 3rd degree) and from the heart. If you are in the Los Angeles area on August 15th make sure you check out PJ's live recording at the Temple Bar. PJ's album is set for a September 23rd release in all digital formats (I-tunes, cdbaby,amazon, etc). I recently got a chance to interview Pj....Check it out: (for the sake of time, I've edited the transcript down)
Pj: Hello
SS: Hello I'm a big fan of your music and just wanted to reach out to you...thanks for calling in.
Pj: Glad to be apart
SS: Let's just jump right into it...I was reading your bio and you described your music as soulful pop music....what does that mean?
PJ: Umm well the soulful part is ...well i think neither soul or pop is genre specific...its kind of a way of giving someone a genre without giving them a genre ( we both laugh). I believe soulful music is music that people can feel in the soul. Be it country, r&b, gospel, or rock. And then pop music is what we should all strive to be in the sense of being able to relate to a vast amount of people. So thats really the definition to me. I really want people to be able to feel my music, I want to be able to touch lots of different people
SS: Right, Right. Well I have been knowing you as a producer/songwriter all these years and a lot of people don't know that you are a solo artist. When did you decide to be a solo artist vs. just songwriting/producing [for other artists]
PJ: Well it happened from being a songwriter really....I would write songs and couldn't quote unquote sell them to anybody or I didn't feel comfortable giving them to the people that wanted them. It was kinda like I didn't feel that they were going to sing them or present them how I would want. So I just started to sing them myself and after awhile , you know, I had all these songs and was like, well I guess I'll just sing them- I was pretty shy as a singer because I was used to being in the background as a musician but then I was like uh let me just step out and you know be who I'm going to be.
SS: Understandable. That makes sense because even when your writing songs for others your true feelings can sometimes come out..
PJ: Sure, sure
SS: And I was curious about this "fly nerd" thing (sidebar: I read that PJ refers to himself as the "fly nerd")....What does fly nerd mean?
PJ: (laughs) Its just a nickname...It sums up my personality. (laughs) I guess fly..well I'm self proclaimed to be fly. I take a lot of pride in dressing and being unique and who I am. And I feel likes its fly. You know I always gotta have some crazy sneakers on,I always have a crazy t-shirt on, some hot skinny jeans (we both laugh). That all represents me. The nerd part is uh you know I've always been a head of my class, liked to read things...nerds get a bad rep but really [being] a nerd is a beautiful thing. I love gadgets...I finished college a semester early (PJ attended Morehouse)....those type of things.
SS: Ok well you've worked with a lot of people..who is your favorite person (artist) to work with in the studio..who's the most fun?
PJ: You said my favorite?
SS: Yeah
PJ: Uhh lets see. My favorite would probably have to be Keki (Sheard). She is such an amazing talent. Sometimes you have limitations in the studio....but with her it was like whatever I had in my mind and asked her to do, It got done. You know what I'm saying it was something that I've never experienced. Not limitations in a bad way...certain people..myself included have things they can't really do. With her, it was nothing that she couldn't really pull off. She was my favorite.
SS: Yeah her voice is crazy...
PJ: Yeah..
SS: Who's your dream collabo?
PJ: I have a few..Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin from Coldplay...even though people are making that cliche'...I try to stay away from stuff thats popular but he's one of my favorites. John Mayer is another one.
SS: So if we were to go into your cd player right now...what would we find?
PJ: uhhh I'm actually listening to a few records right now. Im waiting on the Jazmine Sullivan record, thats what I'll be listening to when it comes out. But right now, I'm listening to this new Al Green record..thats my jam..amazing. The Lil Wayne record too. Im kind of all over the place with what I like.
SS: oohhh Jazmine....I can't wait for that record to come out
PJ: Yeah for sure...she's taking the industry somewhere else and I really appreciate that.
SS: I have seen a few of your live shows on the internet...what can people expect from you onstage?
PJ: A lot of energy, a lot of musicianship. I'm a musician first. I was playing for other people before I ever played for myself. So Im a musician up there with everybody else. We really enjoy the music as much as singing the songs...the live show is like the real thing. If you just know Pj Morton as the recording artist...you don't really know me yet. Being live takes it to a whole nother dimension....its my playground.
SS: We know that you have had a big year with the hit record "Let Go and Let God" (sung by Dewayne Woods and written by Pj). Have you ever gotten any flack for that for working in both arenas?
PJ: I probably got it more when I was younger as a pastor's kid (note: dad is Bishop Paul S.Morton), I've been doing stuff other than gospel for a long time and I think people say things under their breath about me not being a gospel artist umm I welcome all of that because it just gives an opportunity to have an educated conversation so that we can both grow. I don't really get it too much to my face....people who know me as the "let go let God writer don't necessarily know the other side so I think the more the other side comes out it might be more flack. But my training for that came from my own church,my own dad, and my own family. So I had to be sure that i was doing what I'm supposed to do before I went any further so its not like I stand weak on what I do because I'm sure that its my purpose in life.
SS: Well good music is just good music
PJ: Right...people that would really give me flack about that really don't have a relationship and are just calling themselves Christians...they don't have a relationship because they would know that Jesus wasn't "churchy"..he hung out with everybody else...he wasn't all churchy...but he had a relationship with God obviously. I think the Let Go, Let God's are necessary, church songs are necessary but I'm a songwriter, I'm not a genre specific songwriter, I just write songs. I can be "Let Go and Let God" and I can be "blah,blah, blah" ( note: thats my jam! its featuring algebra). I can be all these songs as a songwriter but then as a artist thats when its yourself, its me, and I felt what I was supposed to do as an artist just wasn't gospel music.
SS: That's whats up...I can appreciate that
PJ: Word
SS: One last question..the ladies want to know, are you single???
PJ: (laughs) Nah, I'm not single (we both laugh) Im not married yet...but I'm not single..
SS: (laughs) Well ain't nothing wrong with a little love
PJ: Nah love is a good thing...I sing about it!
SS: That you do....Thank you for taking time out to speak with me...good luck with everything
PJ: Thank You
Visit PJ's official website
Visit his myspace page to hear more songs..
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The Passion and Purpose of PJ
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The skies were dressed in overcast that day outside of the coffee shop, but as soon as he walked in,...The skies were dressed in overcast that day outside of the coffee shop, but as soon as he walked in, he brought the sunshine in his smile. I immediately stood to greet him with welcoming thanks for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat. “No problem,” was his humble response, and as we sat down at our two-seater table, I knew that I was in for a treat.
His name is PJ Morton. He calls himself “The Fly Nerd,” an oxymoron of sorts, but appropriate to define his eclectic swagger. His laid-back personality proves he’s like that everyday “homeboy” from around the way, yet his presence pronounces greatness. I’m not sure if he noticed that day, but all eyes were on him. It was apparent that everyone in the coffee shop, including myself, recognized that someone was in the midst. That someone is one of the greatest hidden talents in the music industry today.
Love Affair...
Since the age of two, PJ Morton has had a love affair with music. Even in our conversation, he spoke of it as if it were his best friend. “Music has always been a part of me because I grew up in a musical household,” he admitted. His eyes danced in reflection, and understandably so because his next comment was that he was a huge Michael Jackson fan! But thanks to his mom’s exclusive record collection, Michael Jackson was just one of many popular artists of the day who helped shaped PJ’s love for music.
A motley crew of artistic heavyweights, such as Donny Hathaway, Sting, Prince, James Taylor, Tommy Sims, and Bob Dylan, are just a few of PJ’s credited influences. Collectively, they helped him capture the true art of melodic tunes, harmonious chords, catchy hooks and the magic of live instrumentation. Yet, it was the band brilliance of The Beatles and the lyrical genius of Stevie Wonder that had the most impact.
As a child, each time PJ received his allowance, he would go out and buy a Stevie Wonder album. “It’s not like I knew every single lyric,” stated PJ, “but I would buy his albums to learn his skill.” Today, PJ refers to himself, musically, as the “Son of Stevie.” When inquiring of what the endearing title meant, he replied with sincerity and depth, saying, “Just as a father raises his son to be a man, Stevie Wonder raised me and trained me to be a true songwriter.” That comment alone should be patented and sent to Stevie in a gold-plated Thank You card!
The Same, Yet Different
However, it doesn’t matter how many musical influences PJ has had, he’s made it very clear that his greatest influence is his own father; famed singer and preacher, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. That’s right! PJ is a “PK” or “Preacher’s Kid,” a term affectionately coined by the Christian community. With a Bishop for a dad, it’s no question that peoples’ expectations of him were higher than most; and the shoes were even bigger to fill, but PJ hasn’t followed the exact same path as his father. He respectfully acknowledges that they are two different men, purposed for two different destinies; however, PJ still considers himself much like his dad.
“I’m like my father as a Christian, as a man, and as a visionary. We’re both musical, and we don’t compromise. We bridge gaps; him in ministry, me in music.” They are the same, yet different, both ministering the way God intended, but not in standard. Instead, they individually minister in the foundational sense of the word; a foundation that speaks to the very essence and realities of life.
Today, PJ’s sound, style and flow is accommodating to both mainstream and Gospel audiences, which has made it hard for the industry to place him in a category. His albums Emotions, The Perfect Song and digital release, Luap Notrom, have a delightful mix of soulish R&B, Rock, Folk and Gospel flavors.
“I could have been an artist in the sixties,” he proudly retorted, and it’s that “old soul” that has encouraged him to remain independent. “In this industry, being ‘different’ is frowned upon because everyone wants the ‘next…’” He continued, “I don’t like to be put in a box or made into what people want me to be because there are different sides that are continuing to show and present themselves as I make music.” It’s the freedom to create that keeps his music honest and clever, and it’s the liberal, lyrical flow that institutes an authenticity that few can match.
Hot Roster
These days, PJ Morton is quickly becoming a household name. The impact of this musical whiz kid has caught the attention of many, and for good reason! At 25, PJ Morton has achieved much and accomplished more! Already a Grammy award winning songwriter and producer, he has penned hits for some of today’s hottest R&B and Gospel stars. His roster includes, India.Arie, KiKi Sheard, Heather Headley, Fred Hammond, Ted & Sheri, and LL Cool J. Recently, he teamed up with Jermaine Dupri to write and produce for a number of So So Def artists, including Jagged Edge, Monica and rising star, Johnta Austin. Also, his song, “Let Go, Let God,” performed by rising Gospel sensation DeWayne Woods, has been nominated for the 2008 Stellar Awards.
So, what’s next for PJ? A Def Jam tour, a new solo project and heading to the studio to produce a project for long time friend, Darwin Hobbs.
I hated that our meeting had come to an end, but I was grateful for the experience. I learned a lot about PJ Morton that day in the coffee shop. It was evident that when life becomes a question of destiny, his passion and genuine love for music clearly defined his purpose. Though it may not be his intent, I believe it’s that same purpose that will redefine musical genres and assuredly change the face of a musical generation… Just you wait and see!
PJ’s Advice to Aspiring Songwriters
“Stay true to your craft. Being in this business is a lot like playing basketball. A group of friends get together to play just to have fun, but the “experts” come around to try and enforce strict rules that hinders the intended freedom of just being. Be honest, it’s what makes people connect to your music.”
Candace Ledbetter is a former educator and freelance writer living in Atlanta. She is founder and president of Rhema Word Consulting.
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Chatting it up with PJ MORTON
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visit the blog › | visit etm on myspace ›ETM HOME EDITORS NOTE MAILBAG CURRENT ISSUE CONTENTS PHOTOS...visit the blog › | visit etm on myspace ›ETM HOME EDITORS NOTE MAILBAG CURRENT ISSUE CONTENTS PHOTOS ARCHIVES
EXCAPE THE MATRIX / FREE YOUR MIND
Chatting It Up With PJ Morton
Written by: luminoUS
luminous@excapethematrix.com
Sitting down and chatting with PJ Morton was like talking to an old friend. He was very laid back and we ran the gamut from love to college to his future endeavors. This is a man who has written songs that have gone on to win awards, toured with Erykah Badu, wore the shoes of music director for a number of artists, and wants to go on to do movie scores. No horror films, by the way. lol. Even with his list of credentials, he aspires to work with Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, and Jazmine Sullivan. Get comfortable as you prepare to read on…
I read your bio online and it says that you consider yourself a “free” artist. How do you think that works in a society that always wants to place you in a box? They like to classify music by genres. Do you think that has its pros and cons?
I call my music “soulful pop music” and it’s not really genre specific, but I think that, in this day and age, it’s easier to get out of those boxes because people are able to have their own access to music as opposed to just what people give you. People can go directly to you, so they don’t necessarily need a genre to provide it. If they like it, they like it. I spend a lot of time over in the UK and they don’t have an R&B station and a Hip-Hop station and a Country station… it’s just all Pop-radio. So, it gives everybody an opportunity to hear what they like. I think we’re going to get more like that here in America at some point.
I would hope so. With that being said, do you think we are ready for that here?
Yeah, I do. I think that’s the reason why a lot of independent artists these days are able to create their own audiences without the [record] labels. I think we are ready. I just want to hear what’s good.
With the large emergence of independent artists, do you think we will phase out of using [record] labels or do you think they will continue to play a major role in the process? Motown used to be really big, back in the day, but now we have MySpace music and MP3’s.
I don’t think it will phase out totally. Everybody’s not meant to be a businessperson. The system used to work. We just have lost focus. All of my idols—Steve Wonder, Prince, Donnie Hathaway—they all had systems. They were on labels, so I’m not anti-label. I don’t think they will phase out because they are a home for someone who couldn’t do it themselves. So, not totally and I do think that the independent thing will be as strong.
Do you ever see yourself signing with a label?
Yeah, I could. Like I said, all of the guys that I look up to were at labels. It has to be the right situation where they let me be me and they be the record company. Don’t try to get into my thing. Barry Gordy didn’t mess with Stevie’s thing. He let Stevie be Stevie because he signed him because he wanted Stevie to be Stevie. But, people don’t sign for that reason anymore, so it doesn’t hold up as it goes down the line. But, I love a GOOD system. That’s how it’s supposed to be, I think.
That leads to my next question; do you think they would try to stifle you? But, apparently if that were the case you wouldn’t sign.
That’s probably why I haven’t signed at this point. I have been offered major deals and chose not to because I wasn’t going to be able to be myself. As long as I’m not able to be myself I’ll probably never [sign]. I just believe at some point, it could happen. Who knows? I’m cool either way, but I’m open to it.
“At a young age, my best friends were White guys, so I had to balance it out at some point, but I didn’t want it in college. I think once you get past undergrad, it needs to look like the real world. Not just one thing…”
Now, you said, “being able to be yourself”… Who do you consider yourself to be? I know people can go online and read your bio or look at your pictures, but that is just a one-dimensional you.
Myself… I don’t know. It’s definitely not one-dimensional. I’m just a free person who has been inspired and influenced by a lot of different music. I used to experiment with different things over the years and I think now it has become one sound that has different influences in it, but you know PJ Morton when you hear it. You know what I’m saying. When I say “free”, I don’t just jump from a Country song to an R&B song, but there may be Country influences in an R&B song. I think my fun personality, positivity, and the fact that I love love… all of that comes out in my music and kind of makes me who I am.
It’s very rare to hear a guy admit to that: the whole “loving love” thing. I mean it’s cool.
Yeah. I’m comfortable.
I see. That’s good. (laughs)
(laugh)
And I’m glad that you’re laid back because it’s raining and cold, so I just threw this sweat-suit on.
Naw. Do you. You good. But, my parents have been married for 31 years, man. I’ve had a good example of what it can be. So, it’s a positive thing in my eyes.
Do you ever get jaded or feel like it won’t come or feel like it’s hard finding that person with the way that society is as far as the women raised today?
Sure. It’s super hard. I don’t know that I get jaded, but I know what the current situation is and how it’s difficult to find that person nowadays, so when you do, you kinda hold on. It’s rough. I live in Atlanta where it’s really about doing whatever. I still think it’s possible. I haven’t stopped believing in it, but it’s definitely more difficult these days.
You’re originally from New Orleans, correct? How was the move from New Orleans to Atlanta?
It’s a little faster. Actually, New Orleans was real heavy in culture: real deep, deep rich culture. Atlanta feels a little more new. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I do like the fact that I was from New Orleans because of the deep culture and I had that in me. Atlanta is much more progressive, so you’re able to do lots of things. If you have an idea, people are open to it as opposed to New Orleans. They are used to what they are used to and stick to that. I moved to Atlanta to go to college, and I’m happy that I did.
What school did you attend?
Morehouse.
How was that experience?
Great, man. That Black college experience is priceless. It’s different from another experience, but it’s something that you couldn’t even explain. It’s a good place to start.
Yeah. I didn’t have that experience. Looking back, I wish I had the HBCU [Historically Black College/University] experience, but I guess everybody’s walk is different and so we have to experience different things for different reasons. I listen to all of my friends and sometimes feel like, “Wow. I wish I would have had that.”
Yeah. It’s just different I suppose from any other type of colleges because you’re just around your own.
I went to Maryland, so it looked like it was a plantation. You know what I mean? So, when you saw another Black person, you were so happy that you automatically connected. But, it helped me to find me and if I were at a Black college, maybe I wouldn’t have strived as hard to figure out who I was.
I guess the thing is through elementary school, which I think a lot of that is shaped. I went to an all White elementary school through 8th grade. My high school was majority Black. At a young age, my best friends were White guys, so I had to balance it out at some point, but I didn’t want it in college. I think once you get past undergrad, it needs to look like the real world. Not just one thing.
Right. I went to an all girl high school, so after that for four years, I was conditioned and once I got to college, I had to readjust to being in the classroom with guys. But, I felt like it helped in a sense that it kept me focused at the time, but I also needed to have that real world experience and realize that the world isn’t all female.
It’s true, but that would be alright. (laughs) But, it’s not that way.
So, the CD that you’re signing tonight is a newly released project?
No. This is my live record that I just did in LA and it just came out September 23rd.
Can you tell me a little bit about it?
Well, really, for years I’ve put out these records and have done well on the independent thing, but our main draw is the live shows. It’s just a different experience from the record and it just really brings people in. For years, people have been asking me when I was going to let them take that home. I’m working on a studio record that’s due out in the spring, so I thought, while I’m working on that, I’ll give my fans what they’ve been wanting in that live record. So, we went to LA and just put that experience down. It’s super raw and it’s like you were there.
“That’s what it’s become: ‘Gospel music is God’s music’ and I don’t know that God looks at it that way … I think that I would be doing God an injustice if I only talked about God in my songs. I don’t think that He would be pleased with that because He’s put much more than that inside of me…”
Now, are both of your parent’s ministers or is it just your dad?
Yes they both are. (mom's a pastor).
A fan brought a question up in my presence and I wanted to get your opinion. She wanted to know—with your dad being a minister—if you feel that music is your anointing or calling, why aren’t you singing Gospel? I wanted to debate with her because I feel that just because you grew up in that dynamic, and if music is your anointing or calling, you don’t necessarily have to reach audiences by singing Gospel. Do you get those questions about why you aren’t singing Gospel?
I used to get them a lot. Especially when music outside of Gospel chose me. You know, people equate Gospel music with God. That’s what it’s become: ‘Gospel music is God’s music’ and I don’t know that God looks at it that way. It’s like, that’s one type of music. I inspire that, as well as I inspire this, and I inspire this, and I inspire that… So, I don’t know why that is equated with that, but I feel like God is definitely who inspires my music and I definitely think that God is love and creativity. He allows me to talk about whatever I talk about and not be limited. I think that I would be doing God an injustice if I only talked about God in my songs. I don’t think that He would be pleased with that because He’s put much more than that inside of me. So, I think it would be a disservice actually. I think that people are called to do what they do and they should do that and do it well. For me, that just wasn’t my calling. I’ve written Gospel songs that have actually done pretty well. I won “Song of the Year” last year for a Gospel song [“Let Go, Let God”], but that was just another expression as an artist. I’m a songwriter; I’m not a Gospel songwriter… I’m not an R&B songwriter… I just write songs
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Center Stage: PJ Morton
[+ Show ]
MMIM had the pleasure of interviewing “The Fly Nerd”, PJ Morton. PJ is a talented songwriter, produc...MMIM had the pleasure of interviewing “The Fly Nerd”, PJ Morton. PJ is a talented songwriter, producer, and singer from Atlanta. He describes his sound as soulful pop music. Surrounded by musicians (his dad is Gospel singer Paul Morton), PJ was destined to pursue music.
MMIM: Tell us who PJ Morton is for the readers who do not know.
PJ: I’m a singer, songwriter, producer, who grew as an artist in Atlanta . I do music that I like to call soulful pop music. Yeah, that’s me. I’m the “Fly Nerd” (laughs). I’m the son of Stevie, it has a lot to do with who I am.
MMIM: Are you currently solo or with the band?
PJ: Naw, I’m solo, the band was a side project that we did. The PJ Morton Band was just an extension of my whole show. I always traveled with the band, and I decided to do a record as the band. So that was just one project. We may do it again, we may not but they are always on stage with me.
MMIM: I read that you started a band when you were 12. What inspired you to start a band at such a young age?
PJ: It has always been about music for me. I always wanted to get it out to people. When I was 12, and the drummer in the band was about 14, we did banquets and all that stuff (laughs). But I always wanted to share the gift that I have. I always wanted to make people happy with it. It started early for me probably because I was in an environment of musicians.
MMIM: And your Dad is Gospel singer, Paul Morton?
PJ: Yep.
MMIM: At what age did you decided you wanted to pursue music full time?
PJ: At about age 14, I was pretty sure that I wanted to get into production. That’s when I started writing songs. When I was 15, I wrote a song for a group that was on a major label. And it was on record that a lot of people could hear which was fulfilling for me because at that time I was still writing music in my room. And I got paid for it too, and I realized that I could actually live doing this and live doing what I love. So from that point on, its been tunnel vision for me. Since 14 I knew that any choice that I’ve made has been relation to me pursing music in my life. It helped me a lot, it put me ahead of the game because I was young and knew what I wanted. My would say they didn’t really realize that they wanted to do it all the way for real until they were in their 20s. So it put me ahead a little bit.
MMIM: Who are your musical influences?
PJ: Stevie Wonder is #1. The Beatles were a big influence for me as a writer. People like Prince in the sense of his creativity and being fearless. And his live performances as well was a big deal for me. And my Dad and my family was musical. It started right at home for me.
MMIM: When you are making albums, or songs do you worry about how the music will be received?
PJ: Its meant to be done selfishly. I think its just natural as a person to want to know if someone going to like what you are doing. But as much as I can, I keep that out of the formula. Doing what I like, and just hope that there is some people in the world that are like me, and would dig it the same way that I dig it. I try not to think about other people but of course there are times, “I wonder what they going to think about this”, but I try to keep that out.
MMIM: You are recording a live album?
PJ: Yes.
MMIM: When will that be released after its recorded?
PJ: September 23.
MMIM: Tell us a little bit about you next project “Son of a Preacher Man”, are there any highlights or guest features that you would like MMIM readers to know about?
PJ: Well, we are working on getting Lupe Fiasco being on one song. We are actually pretty close to that. I’m always growing and trying to stretch myself as a person and a musician. Musically, its really fun to me because they are a lot of more beats going on because in the past, we used live drums and we played all the music live. This time around, I still have the live horns and the live strings and I’m playing keys live, bass and guitar. But on the beats, the drums are a little more harder, its kind of like Kanye West meets Stevie Wonder. Not intentionally, like I said, I make it selfishly but this time around there will be more radio friendly stuff. And I didn’t do that on purpose, it just came out that way. And I’m happy that it wasn’t forced, it was natural, but these records can be singles. I really can’t wait to let the people hear this. I’ve been done for a while, I’m just waiting on the right time. I want to have it perfect to put it out for everybody.
MMIM: And when will this record be released?
PJ: Hopefully the Spring of ’09.
MMIM: We wanted to congratulate you on your win for the 2008 Stellar Award for “Song of the Year.
PJ: Oh thank you.
MMIM: What song was that for and how did it feel to win such a notable award?
PJ: The name of the song was “Let Go, Let God.” I think the title was “Let Go” but everybody puts let go and let God together (laughs). It was great for me as a songwriter. It has taken this long for me to grow and for people to see that I have grown enough to get an award like that, its just really an honor. I didn’t expect it at all. I wouldn’t consider myself as one of the main gospel songwriters, ya know? I’m a songwriter who writes gospel songs sometimes, and writes “my” songs sometimes. So I was in a category with the Kurt Carrs and Fred Hammonds but that’s what they do all the time. So I was shocked, but I was really, really honored.
MMIM: So what’s next for PJ, what do you have on your plate?
PJ: Well I worked on this Mary Mary record that is about to come out. I did a song on there, as well as this Musiq Soulchild record that’s coming out, I did a song on his album. And something that I am really excited about is this composer names A R Rahman. He scored Lord of the Rings, and The Golden Age the Queen Elizabeth movie. He is a huge composer, he is the #7 top selling artist of all time, he has sold 200 million records. And I am co producing and co writing his first Western record. I’m really excited about that because it something different for me and there are going to be features like Nelly Furtado, and Paul McCartney, Ziggy Marley. It’s going to be a big world record. I’m definitely excited about that. And that should be released about the Spring of ‘09. We are just finishing that up. But I have been working on that and going back and forth to London this year.
MMIM: How can My Mood is Music fans reach out to you?
PJ: MySpace is ALWAYS cool. www.myspace.com/pjmorton as well as my website pjmortononline.com
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