PJ Morton is a father of three: sons Jakai and P3, and daughter PeytonThe Grammy-winning musician spoke to PEOPLE about enjoying his new album, Cape City to Cairo, for his youngsters earlier than its releaseThe singer-songwriter additionally shares why his kids “nonetheless suppose they’re cooler than” him
Earlier than PJ Morton thinks of dropping any new music, he “all the time” makes positive to offer his youngsters a primary pay attention.
The 43-year-old singer-songwriter dropped his new album, Cape City to Cairo, on Friday, June 14, and tells PEOPLE his kids — Jakai, 19, P3, 13, and Peyton, 11 — had been among the many first to get a preview of the “eclectic,” African-inspired undertaking.
“I take a look at [music] on my youngsters often, the vibes,” he shares when requested if his three youngsters had heard the album earlier than its launch.
In line with Morton, his oldest son, Jakai, “had his favorites” from the nine-track LP, which the musician created in 30 days throughout his fall travels to South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt.
To the singer’s shock, the 19-year-old even requested for an early obtain of “Rely on Me” — the pop-style album reduce that includes Fireboy DML.
“I am like, “Maintain on, man.’ He is like, ‘Wait, is that this not out but? Can I get it?’ ” the five-time Grammy winner recollects. “I am like, ‘All proper, you bought it. Simply hold it on the low.’”
PJ Morton performs on Day 7 of 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Pageant at Honest Grounds Race Course on Might 4, 2024 in New Orleans.
Erika Goldring/Getty
Talking about his “little ones,” Morton shares, “I all the time take a look at my music out on them, and it was necessary.” Although his kids didn’t be a part of him on his voyage to Africa final 12 months, the Watch the Solar artist says it was “necessary” for him to clarify the transformative expertise to them.
“They know that we’re going [together one day] as a result of I would like them to see it and really feel it,” he provides. “I want at that age I used to be capable of make that connection and simply see and really feel that. However I do know them seeing it after my expertise goes to only change an entire era.”
Along with his new album, Morton additionally just lately unveiled the unique Disney tune he was tapped to create for the Tiana’s Bayou Journey Experience attraction at Disney Parks. The New Orleans native is now the primary Black composer to ever write music for a Disney attraction.
Requested if the “enormous” achievement makes the singer’s youngsters see him as a rockstar or simply plain ole common dad, Morton laughs and says, “I believe it is simply beginning to hit them.”
“P3, the opposite day, he was like, ‘Dad, I do not perceive the way you so calm. You simply wrote a tune for Disney, why are you so chill?’ And I used to be like, ‘Man, I have been up, up, I have been down, down.’ So it is like I simply take every part in stride,” the “Smoke & Mirrors” singer shares. “However I am tremendous excited and tremendous honored.”
(L) P3 Morton and his father PJ Morton on the sixty fifth GRAMMY Awards.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
As his kids become old and grow to be extra conscious of his profession, Morton believes they’re additionally lastly starting to acknowledge his stage of fame.
“Now they’re on the age the place they’ll acknowledge, ‘This is not common,’ ” he says. “Us using this Disney trip by ourselves on the park at evening, this isn’t simply what occurs. So I believe they get it slightly bit. They nonetheless suppose they’re cooler than me, however so long as they’re attempting to borrow my garments and stuff, I do know I am nonetheless out right here.”
He jokes, “I am nonetheless exterior as a result of they nonetheless be attempting to put on my stuff. I am like, ‘Okay, I need to nonetheless be fly.’”
Later this 12 months, Morton will launch his inspiring new memoir Saturday Night, Sunday Morning: Staying True to Myself from the Pews to the Stage, a e-book that he says will element an “in-depth story” about his “loopy life” — together with how he joined Maroon 5, signed to Lil Wayne’s Younger Cash Data, labored with icons like Kirk Franklin, Stevie Marvel and rather more.
The indie artist additionally tells PEOPLE he plans to launch a documentary chronicling the making of his newest album, sharing, “We’re making a documentary that is going to observe the album as a result of I wished to see [the process].”
“I’ve by no means seen myself create something from scratch,” he provides, “however I felt like that is what would make it particular.”
