PJ Morton’s latest album, Cape Town to Cairo, is a musical journey through Africa, taking listeners from South Africa to Egypt and back again. The album is a melting pot of various influences, with R&B, soul, gospel, pop, and jazz all seamlessly integrated with unique inspiration derived from Africa. Morton’s commitment to the project was absolute, with a vow not to write any lyrics before or after leaving Africa, resulting in an auditory reflection of his physical journey.
A Musical Journey Across Africa
PJ Morton’s Cape Town to Cairo project was conceived during a month-long journey throughout the African continent. The resulting album is an auditory reflection of his physical journey, taking listeners from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, through Lagos in Nigeria, to Accra in Ghana, Cairo in Egypt, and then looping back to South Africa. The album is a melting pot of various influences, integrated effortlessly with the unique inspiration derived from Africa.
Artists in the music industry must remain adaptable, consistently reinventing themselves to maintain relevancy. However, few have managed to adapt as effectively as PJ Morton, the multi-award-winning American musician and songwriter. His expansive career, which spans two decades, effortlessly straddles the realms of pop, R&B, funk, and gospel. His most recent auditory masterpiece, Cape Town to Cairo, is a creatively diverse tribute to Africa, showcasing his innovative approach to music production.
A Musical Journey Across Africa
Morton’s Cape Town to Cairo project was conceived during a month-long journey throughout the African continent. His commitment to the project was so absolute that he vowed not to write a single lyric before arriving in Africa or after leaving. This self-imposed limitation allowed him to encapsulate the raw, unadulterated emotions ignited by his interactions on the continent. The resulting album is an auditory reflection of his physical journey, taking listeners from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, through Lagos in Nigeria, to Accra in Ghana, Cairo in Egypt, and then looping back to South Africa.
Morton’s artistic process was unrestrained and spontaneous, unburdened by the limitations of time and genre expectations. The album is a melting pot of various influences – R&B and soul, gospel, pop, and jazz – integrated effortlessly with the unique inspiration derived from Africa. Morton skillfully challenges the confines of musical classification, crafting an album he characterizes as “the diaspora in music form, done my way.”
The Birthplace of the Tracks
Two standout tracks on the album, ‘Count on Me’ featuring Fireboy DML, and ‘Simunye (We are one)’ featuring Soweto Spiritual Singers, were written in Cape Town. With ‘Count on Me’, Morton set out to create a universal anthem, capable of resonating amidst a backdrop of widespread negativity and providing a much-needed injection of positivity. This song, which champions the values of friendship, came to life spontaneously as Morton sat before a piano in Cape Town, with Fireboy DML contributing his verse off-the-cuff while they were in Nigeria.
Conversely, ‘Simunye (We are one)’ originated from Morton’s recognition of being part of something greater than himself and his aspiration to create a call-and-response anthem. He sought advice from his friend, Jonathan Butler, for a local word that could encapsulate this feeling, leading to the title ‘Simunye’. The creation of the song was galvanized by Morton’s reflection on South Africa’s history, specifically the 30th anniversary of the termination of apartheid.
The Impact of Africa on the Album
Every song within Cape Town to Cairo has been crafted from Morton’s experiences and interactions on the African continent. The album is an impressive amalgamation of diverse influences, serving as a sonic journal that encapsulates the profound impact of his journey through Africa. Morton’s intuitive and uninhibited approach to music production has resulted in an album that not only honors Africa but also challenges the confines of musical genres. The outcome is a rich mixture of sound and emotion, guiding listeners on a beautifully narrated voyage from Cape Town to Cairo.
What is PJ Morton’s latest album and what is it about?
PJ Morton’s latest album is called Cape Town to Cairo and it is a musical journey through Africa, taking listeners from South Africa to Egypt and back again. The album is a melting pot of various influences, with R&B, soul, gospel, pop, and jazz all seamlessly integrated with unique inspiration derived from Africa.
How did PJ Morton create the album?
Morton’s commitment to the project was absolute, with a vow not to write any lyrics before or after leaving Africa, resulting in an auditory reflection of his physical journey. He traveled throughout the African continent for a month, allowing his experiences and interactions to influence the creation of the album.
What is the album’s impact on musical genres?
Morton’s intuitive and uninhibited approach to music production has resulted in an album that not only honors Africa but also challenges the confines of musical genres. The outcome is a rich mixture of sound and emotion, guiding listeners on a beautifully narrated voyage from Cape Town to Cairo.
What are some standout tracks on the album?
Two standout tracks on the album, ‘Count on Me’ featuring Fireboy DML, and ‘Simunye (We are one)’ featuring Soweto Spiritual Singers, were written in Cape Town. ‘Count on Me’ is a universal anthem championing the values of friendship, while ‘Simunye (We are one)’ is a call-and-response anthem inspired by South Africa’s history.
How did PJ Morton’s trip to Africa influence the album?
Every song within Cape Town to Cairo has been crafted from Morton’s experiences and interactions on the African continent. The album is an impressive amalgamation of diverse influences, serving as a sonic journal that encapsulates the profound impact of his journey through Africa.
What is PJ Morton’s background in music?
PJ Morton is a multi-award-winning American musician and songwriter who has been in the music industry for two decades. He is known for effortlessly straddling the realms of pop, R&B, funk, and gospel, showcasing his innovative approach to music production.
