PJ Morton has taken listeners on a vibrant journey with his new album, *Cape Town to Cairo*. Released via Morton Records/EMPIRE, the album is described by PJ Morton as his ‘Graceland’, referencing Paul Simon’s iconic album, but created entirely during a 30-day journey across Africa.
Without any preconceived music or lyrics, Morton embarked on this adventure with the sole mission of making a record within a month, immersing himself in the diverse cultures, stories, and communities of the continent.
Reflecting on his travels—from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Lagos, Accra, Cairo, and back to South Africa—Morton experienced many of these places for the first time.
He explains, “I wanted to capture the emotions I felt while I was on the continent, so I made a promise that I wouldn’t write anything before I arrived in Africa, and I wouldn’t write anything after I left – I ended up recording all my vocals before I left too. It really was an experiment in trusting my instincts.”
Morton’s spontaneous and immersive process resulted in a rich tapestry of genres and influences. “There’s of course R&B and soul, but there’s also gospel in songs like ‘Simunye,’ pop in ‘Count On Me,’ jazz on ‘All The Dreamers,’ all combined with the inspiration of Africa,” he said.
“We didn’t have the luxury of time to police which genres would fit where, and the origins of all this music started in Africa anyway. *Cape Town to Cairo* is the diaspora in music form, done my way.”
Collaborating with featured artists such as Fireboy DML, Mádé Kuti, Asa, Ndabo Zulu, and the Soweto Spiritual Singers, and producers like P.Priime and The Cavemen, along with his live band and local musicians, the album sees Morton using music as a universal language.
Tracks like “Smoke & Mirrors,” recorded a day after Fela Kuti’s birthday festivities, connect New Orleans to Lagos, while “Please Be Good” and “Simunye (We Are One)” showcase native sounds and a sense of belonging. Songs like “All The Dreamers,” which developed across multiple countries, and “Thank You” reflect Morton’s gratitude and awareness of his lineage, particularly in “Who You Are” featuring Mádé Kuti. “Count On Me,” with Fireboy DML, delivers an uplifting message about the power of friendship and unity.
Beyond the album, Morton celebrates the debut of *Tiana’s Bayou Adventure* at Disney World on June 28th, featuring his original New Orleans-inspired soundtrack and theme song, “Special Spice,” making him the first Black composer to write music for a Disney attraction.
Additionally, Morton will publish his memoir, *Saturday Night, Sunday Morning*, on November 12th via Worthy Publishing. The memoir reflects on his journey from preacher’s kid to an acclaimed artist, recounting his experiences performing from his family congregation to the Super Bowl and collaborating with legends like Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste, and Lil Wayne.
Before the memoir’s release, Morton and his band will embark on the *Cape Town to Cairo* Tour, covering extensive worldwide dates. Following a headline performance at Roots Picnic, the North American leg of the tour will include stops at NYC’s Beacon Theatre, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, LA’s The Wiltern, and many others, along with his Las Vegas residency and shows with Maroon 5.
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