New Orleans-born singer-songwriter-producer P.J. Morton got the break of a lifetime two years ago when he was tapped to be the new keyboardist for pop-rock superstars Maroon 5. Stepping in for bandmember Jesse Carmichael was a daunting task, but Morton was more than up to the challenge. Since then, Morton has been doing double-duty; performing with one of the biggest groups on the planet in huge arenas, and nurturing his solo career by getting close to the people via intimate jazz and soul venues. “ I think [they’ve] both been amazing experiences,” says Morton. “Doing the solo thing and something more intimate, you really get to feel the people more.”
“Of course, it’s a big production when we’re in those arenas,” he adds. “But it’s more of a show and you really can’t feel the people as much. But when they’re close and it’s intimate — you really get to touch them.”
His ability to touch the people is not only what’s made Morton an invaluable part of Maroon 5, it’s also what landed him on the roster of one of music’s hottest labels, Young Money Entertainment. YMCMB released his Following My First Mind EP earlier this year.
“For both me and the label, [it was about] doing something new,” he explains of what some may view as an unlikely pairing. “For them, it’s to broaden how people look at them and to be taken seriously as a label. Not just a crew of rappers, but as a real record label that’s putting out music for all people. [And with] me coming into that, they’ve allowed me to just kinda do me.”
“They don’t police the creativity,” P.J. continues. “They could’ve put [Young Money star] Drake with whoever was the top producer at the time — but they let him stick with 40 [Noah “40” Shebib], who he grew up with and who he made music with before. They didn’t change the formula. With Nicki [Minaj], they let her do what she wanted to do. I’m sure at times they wanted her to be something else — I know Lil Wayne wanted her to be another type of rapper. But they sign people that they actually believe in. It’s an old-school concept. So that was the number one reason why I felt comfortable doing the deal. Even though it was all rappers over there. They don’t touch the creativity.”
Having showcased his production and songwriting talents with stars like Indie.Arie, LL Cool J and Jermaine Dupri already, Morton’s creativity has served him well. And he knows that he’s standing at the edge of a major moment in his life and career.
“This has probably been the best year of my life, man,” he says with a deep exhale. “I think it’s only going to get better. I’m finally releasing my full length, debut major album. Maroon 5 just got two Grammy nominations and we’re about to go on this big sold-out, arena tour. I’m excited.”
“For so many years, I was tempted to conform to whatever was going in music. As a producer its easy to camouflage and do a beat that sounds like what’s popular,” he shares. “But what’s worked for me is just remaining an individual. When my time came and somebody wanted something specific —they could point to me. Keep grinding it out and at some point, people will recognize it and it will be used when it’s supposed to be used.”
