PJ Morton Announces the Release of His Career-Spanning Memoir & His New Single

Today, PJ Morton announces the publication of his inspiring and life-spanning new book, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning. Arriving November 12th via Worthy Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, and available for pre-order now, the memoir sees the 5x GRAMMY®-winner recounting and reflecting upon a journey that continues to defy expectations and straddle the tensions of music and faith, race and culture, expression and identity.

As the son of two pastors and gospel artists, PJ Morton grew up grounded by the sound of the Church, but soon found himself drawn to R&B, pop and soul, writing songs that the industry, his family and community struggled to understand. In the face of mounting pressure, rejection and constant miscategorization, he committed himself to a steadfast path of independence: making music on his own terms, launching his own record label, joining one of the biggest bands in the world while staying true to his New Orleans roots.

The risks he took paid off, and through his trailblazing transformation from preacher's kid to the busiest man in showbiz - performing everywhere from his local congregation to the Super Bowl with Maroon 5, collaborating with everyone from his father to Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste and Lil Wayne - PJ Morton hopes to encourage readers and listeners to overcome obstacles as they seek their dreams. 

Pre-Order Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, and watch PJ Morton discuss the book and more on today's episode of the Tamron Hall Show

On the heels of winning his fifth career GRAMMY® Award earlier this month, in what was his seventh consecutive year of GRAMMY® nominations, the launch of Saturday Night, Sunday Morning further forecasts what is about to be PJ Morton's most prolific and tireless chapter to date.

This Friday, February 23rd, he will release "Please Be Good," the first single from a forthcoming album that he made entirely in Africa last fall. Fully written and recorded during a life-changing 30 days he spent traveling the continent, the record features collaborations with dozens of local musicians across South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt.

While Morton describes his time in Africa as "the best trip I've ever taken," the journey quickly turned into so much more than just the music. He immersed himself in the different cultures and genres that have shaped him, and formed deep connections with the land and people. "This trip is not just a physical move, it's a spiritual return," said Essence. "The soul of Africa pulses through every note he plays and every word he sings."

Pre-Save "Please Be Good" via Morton Records, and learn more about PJ Morton's journey from Cape Town to Cairo in the video here: WATCH

"Please Be Good" is a collaboration between PJ Morton and Nigerian producer P.Priime, an influential and international force of Afrobeats and hip-hop, whose credits include songs with Burna Boy, CKay, Davido, Fireboy DML, Wizkid and more. The track signals one of the new sonic directions PJ Morton is embracing and exploring on the upcoming LP, and he will have much more music and news to share soon. 

In the meantime, PJ Morton has also written, arranged and produced original music for Disney's upcoming Disneyland and Disney World attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, opening this summer. As the first Black composer to write an original song for a Disney attraction, the project is another historic milestone for the New Orleans native and father of three, featuring new songs and fresh arrangements of favorites from the Disney film, The Princess and the Frog. 

Before then, PJ Morton will have other film and television endeavors to reveal, and will soon return to the road for tour dates in Asia, New Zealand and Australia, plus US performances at the Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Roots Picnic alongside Lil Wayne, The Roots and Trombone Shorty, as well as the next leg of Maroon 5's Las Vegas residency and more to be announced. Find the latest list below and tickets at pjmortonmusic.com/#shows. 

 

 

Tags : pj morton PJ Morton new memoir Please Be Good Saturday Night Sunday Morning