Earlier this month (August 2012), PJ Morton made his Young Money debut in New York City, where he performed several songs from his catalog, in addition to several covers. With support from his Young Money/Cash Money family, including Birdman, Slim, Mack Maine, Busta Rhymes, Shanell and Jay Sean, the R&B crooner and Maroon 5 member gave fans a blissful performance at the Canal Room. Following the showdown, Singersroom chopped it up with PJ as he opened up about signing with Young Money, doing soulful pop music, joining Maroon 5 and more.
Check out some excerpts below:
Signing With Young Money… A mutual friend of ours, who we all went to high school with, was a big fan of my music and was always following me and he started to work for Mack Maine and kind of just re-connected us. Mack Maine is a real music fan, he loves real music and live music and instrumentation. I just seemed like a perfect time to work together.
No changing… I’ve worked hard for years as an independent artist and got myself to a point that I’m really proud of. Moving forward, I just felt like I needed some type of machine to put steroids on all that hard working that I’ve been putting out and I think that’s what Young Money is for me. There’s no desire to change who I am or to change what I do creatively.
Taking a Soul Cover… I’ve always ran from the soul thing, I’ve always wanted it to be the music thing. The reason why I called my music soulful pop music was because…it’s no genre specific. Something soulful to me can be a country song, can be a pop song, could be a rock song, can be an R&B song, as long as you feel it, it’s soulful. I always wanna be pop, in a sense that it’s popular and it can reach different types of people, ethnicities, ages, whatever.
Joining Maroon 5… A mutual friend came in as a music director couple years ago, they were looking for an extra keyboard player to tour with them, he recommended me, I went out to LA and we just clicked really easily and really quickly…I love those guys just for the way they’ve taken me in and treated me and being so unselfish with everything. They support my solo thing just as much as me being with them and rocking with them, so it’s been amazing.
Morton is currently promoting the lead single, “Lover,” from his forthcoming Young Money debut, which features Lil Wayne.
PJ Morton is a Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He’s made waves in the music industry with his soulful R&B style that has set him apart from other artists. Now, PJ is talking about his journey to success – from running away from “soul” to using the YMCMB machine and working with Maroon 5. It’s an inspiring story of how he overcame obstacles on his way to becoming one of today’s most sought-after musicians. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what PJ had to say about his experiences in the music world.
From creating hit singles for stars like Chris Brown and Jennifer Hudson, to being part of mega hip hop label Cash Money Records/Young Money Entertainment (YMCEBM), PJ has done it all. While discussing his career trajectory, he talked about how he initially resisted doing mainstream pop music because he wanted to stay true to himself as an artist. However, after hearing some of the records coming out of YMCEBM, he realized there was potential for him there too.
Finally, PJ opened up about joining Maroon 5 as their keyboardist back in 2012 and how that experience helped shape him into the musician he is today. He also discussed the importance of getting comfortable with discomfort when it comes to following your dreams and staying committed no matter what challenges come your way. So let’s dive into PJ Morton’s incredible journey!
Pj Morton’s Background & Music Influences
PJ Morton is a multi-talented musician, songwriter and producer who has been active in the music industry since 2001. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was heavily influenced by his family’s love of gospel and jazz while also being exposed to R&B and pop at an early age. His unique blend of soulful sounds, thoughtful lyrics and contemporary production have earned him recognition as one of today’s premier artists.
From writing for Maroon 5 to becoming YMCMB’s first non-rapper signee, PJ has explored many different avenues within the music industry. This wide range of exposure has allowed him to develop a more diverse sound that can be heard throughout his latest album Soul. From the upbeat “Ready” to the slowed down groove on “Say So” featuring Jojo, PJ takes listeners on a journey through varying genres with each track offering something new and exciting.
PJ credits much of his success to having access to some of the best resources available in the business such as working alongside top producers like Polow Da Don or Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. He also acknowledges using the power of social media platforms such as YouTube which help create a global platform for independent artists like himself. With this combination of musical influences, professional relationships and modern technology, PJ continues to push boundaries and provide quality music fans around world can enjoy.
His Views On The Music Industry
PJ is a strong proponent of the independent artist and believes that with the right resources, any musician can achieve success. He sees social media platforms as an invaluable tool for artists to build their fanbase and promote their music. Beyond just marketing opportunities, he also recognizes how these sites provide access to new sounds from around the world which help shape his own musical style.
In addition to advocating for independent musicians, PJ has seen firsthand how major labels have helped some of his contemporaries reach greater heights in their careers. While he doesn’t believe everyone needs a record deal, he does think it can be beneficial if used correctly. For example, signing with YMCMB allowed him access to powerful industry connections and resources that would otherwise take years to acquire.
At the end of the day, PJ is committed to making great music regardless of whether or not it garners mainstream attention. His passion lies in creating quality work that resonates with listeners on both a personal and spiritual level. With this goal in mind, PJ continues striving towards creating timeless classics fans will enjoy now and long into the future.
Conclusion
I. PJ Morton is a musical powerhouse with an impressive resume of accomplishments. His soulful sound and unique blend of genres has made him the artist he is today. He’s been able to use the YMCMB machine, work with Maroon 5 and create music that resonates with fans all over the world.
II. It’s clear that PJ Morton puts his heart and soul into his music, but it hasn’t come without its challenges in the music industry. From having to fight for what he wants as an independent artist to dealing with labels, PJ knows how difficult it can be. However, this adversity has only driven him to make better music and spread more love throughout the world.
III. In conclusion, there’s no doubt that PJ Morton is one of today’s leading artists when it comes to neo-soul and R&B. His experiences have shaped him into a multi-talented musician who continues to push boundaries within these genres. I look forward to hearing what else PJ will bring us in the future!
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
