I guess you can say, PJ Morton was destined for solo stardom.
The NOLA native is finally get his well-deserved shine after playing keys for Adam Levine and Maroon 5. But from the vocal ability and musicianship, it’s no wonder Morton was able to ink a deal with Young Money Cash Money records and have thee Stevie Wonder on his debut album “New Orleans.” Giantlife.com chopped it up with the singer/songwriter about his music, life lessons and his oh so scandalous groupie tales. Grab you a beignet, this is gonna be good!
What did you do with your first big check?
I bought a really expensive chain. I think it cost like $10,000 or something crazy like that. But the funny thing is, I can’t find it now! After I learned that lesson I decided to get a little smarter . I bought a house before graduating from Morehouse College. I was 20.
What is the best piece of advice that someone in the music industry has given you?
To not worry about money and to not make decisions based off of money. This guy named Tommy Sands who wrote “Change The World” for Eric Clapton, won a Grammy for Song of the Year for that song and he’s a mentor of mine. I was talking to him and I was like ‘Man, they’re not trying to give me a big check. I’m not going to do it.’ and Sands told me to make strategic moves that aren’t just monetarily motivated.
If you had to babysit Blue Ivy or North West who would you babysit who would you babysit?
Blue Ivy, just because I would rather hang with Jay Z and Bey.
Tell me your most dangerous, exciting, crazy groupie story.
It was probably with Maroon 5. But in general, like in Asia, they meet you at the gate. There isn’t the same type of security. There’s no TSA in Asia. So they meet you at the gate and they follow you all the way to baggage claim and they just stand there, look and take pictures. Then they follow you all the way to the car until you leave and then they try to run after the car for as long as possible. Boring I know, but that’s all I really got. I mean, I’ve had girls throw their panties on stage and one chick sneak on the tour bus and just be on the bus, but yeah.. that’s it.
