PJ Morton, the five-time GRAMMY-winning soul singer, songwriter, performer, and producer based in New Orleans, has released a groundbreaking new album, ‘Cape Town to Cairo.’
This latest project, out now via Morton Records/EMPIRE, marks a bold departure from Morton’s previous work, taking listeners on a vibrant journey across Africa.
The creation of ‘Cape Town to Cairo’ was an extraordinary endeavor. Over 30 days, Morton traveled across the continent, immersing himself in diverse soundscapes and cultures. From Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa to Lagos, Nigeria, Accra, Ghana, and Cairo, Egypt, Morton set out last October with no music, lyrics, or preconceptions—just a wild dream and a mission to explore as many different cultures, stories, and communities as possible.
Reflecting on his travels, Morton explains, “I wanted to capture the emotions I felt while I was on the continent. 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 even recorded all my vocals before I left. It was an experiment in trusting my instincts. Like many of us, I have a tendency to overthink, so I wanted to spark something that had real stakes.”
Throughout the album, Morton collaborated with a range of talented artists, including Fireboy DML, Mádé Kuti, Asa, Ndabo Zulu, and the Soweto Spiritual Singers. He also worked with producers like P.Priime and The Cavemen., his own live band, and local musicians. ‘Cape Town to Cairo’ is a testament to music as a universal language, with tracks like “Count On Me,” featuring Fireboy DML, delivering an uplifting message about the power of friendship and unity.
“We didn’t have the luxury of time to police which genres would fit where,” Morton shares. “The origins of all this music started in Africa anyway. What ended up happening was that all of my raw thoughts and influences came out all at once. There’s R&B and soul, but there’s also gospel in songs like ‘Simunye’, pop in ‘Count On Me’, and jazz on ‘All The Dreamers’. ‘Cape Town to Cairo’ is the diaspora in music form, done my way.”
The album bridges New Orleans and Lagos on “Smoke & Mirrors,” recorded a day after Fela Kuti’s birthday festivities. Tracks like “Please Be Good” and “Simunye (We Are One)” featuring the Soweto Spiritual Singers highlight native sounds and a sense of belonging to something greater. Songs such as “All The Dreamers” featuring Asa and Ndabo Zulu evolved across multiple countries, while Morton’s gratitude is palpable in “Thank You.” He also explores personal lineage and ancestral history in “Who You Are” featuring Mádé Kuti.
‘Cape Town to Cairo’ Tracklist:
- Smoke & Mirrors
- Count On Me feat. Fireboy DML
- Please Be Good
- Who You Are feat. Mádé Kuti
- Thank You
- I Found You
- All The Dreamers feat. Asa & Ndabo Zulu
- Home Again
- Simunye (We Are One) feat. Soweto Spiritual Singers
In addition to releasing ‘Cape Town to Cairo,’ PJ Morton has made history as the first Black composer to write music for a Disney attraction. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening June 28th at Disney World and later this year at Disneyland, features his original, New Orleans-inspired soundtrack and theme song, “Special Spice.”
Furthermore, Morton is set to publish his memoir, ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning,’ on November 12th via Worthy Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. The memoir recounts his trailblazing career, reflecting on the tensions between music and faith, race and culture, expression and identity.
PJ Morton and his band will embark on an extensive worldwide ‘Cape Town to Cairo’ tour, with more dates to be announced soon.
Follow PJ Morton’s journey and experience the rich tapestry of ‘Cape Town to Cairo.’ This album is more than music; it’s a celebration of culture, unity, and the power of raw, instinctive creation.
