Maroon 5 Member PJ Morton Releases First Gospel Album
By Allyson Vannatta, Senior Writer
Grammy Award-winning keyboardist from Maroon 5 PJ Morton released his first gospel album, saying he was ready to go back to his roots in church music.
Morton grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where both his father and mother are pastors, The Christian Post reports.
The musician spent lots of time in church, and his father, Bishop Paul S. Morton, is a successful gospel artist with many of his own albums. Morton used to be the music director at his father’s church.
His fathers released many gospel songs like “Let It Rain” and “Bow Down.”
So, gospel music is in his blood.
Expected to follow his father’s career, Morton instead pursued R&B music. He joined Maroon 5 in 2010 as their keyboardist, and became an official member in 2012 according to NPR.
The singer also signed with Young Money Entertainment around the same time for his solo career.
Since then, his solo music has been nominated, and has won, multiple Grammy Awards.
In an interview with NPR from 2018, the musician talked about why he initially didn’t want to be a gospel singer.
“I wanted to not only free myself but free some other people from that thinking that gospel music equals God as opposed to your gift and how He’s gifted you and being able to talk about not only God but the things He’s created – love, life,” he said.
However, Morton’s now ready to come back to his roots.
His new album, titled “The Gospel According to PJ,” features the voices of Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, the Clark Sisters, and many others.
In a statement to The Christian Post, Morton said, “It sounds so crazy now, but Kirk wanted to sign me years ago, but he wanted me to do gospel music.” He added, “I’m finally doing a gospel album.”
“The Gospel According to PJ” is out now.
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MY NEW ALBUM #GOSPELACCORDINGTOPJ is available everywhere NOW!! ???? #GAPJ ? by @brikliam
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