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Photo credit: Lily Lytton
Excellent character traits often define each of us. Whether they it is good or bad, your character will define you for a lifetime. If you continue down a particular path of bad character traits, it can damage your “credibility”. Even if you decide to change, your previous actions are unforgettable. Honestly, it takes a while for someone to see you differently. We have all been there at some point in our life. We may have been young and stupid, or just oblivious of how people view us. Though, there does exist individuals that just “get it”. They get the importance of having an excellent character from an early age onward. Traits as being warm, friendly, clean, honest, loyal, and dependable will help distinguish you from others. Especially for those that look to stand out from the competition.
In a market that is flooded by competing artists, it is imperative that you allow character to define who you are. If you are going to cast a shadow of talent, then your character should mean everything to you. The word character is defined by the Webster – Merriam dictionary as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. If you created a poll and asked people to define the word character, you would probably get many incorrect answers. Such as, “character” is a person’s nationality, or ethnicity. It is their culture or upbringing. Well, in a way, they aren’t completely wrong. Just misguided or misinformed. Nationality or ethnicity can define your upbringing, but it will not give you character. Character makes you different than everyone else. It set’s you apart. In many ways, it gives you the advantage over others.
Excellent artists of character can be found in any genre, or cultural background. Such as todays guest. Her name is Morgan.
ABOUT MORGAN
With combined streams of over 80 million, a dedicated online following and new label home in Red Bull Records, Morgan is doing things her way. Comfortably dominating genres from hype D&B to dancehall-referencing tracks, her latest EP, ‘Emotional Gangster’ is a 360- degree showcase of her personality, from her grit and toughness to vulnerability, with party tracks set alongside ballads; and features a collaboration with dancehall heavy-hitter Byron Messia.
Morgan began performing at just three years old and by 18 she’d joined Rudimental as a globally-touring vocalist. Her solo debut ‘My Year’ spotlit her brand of sparkling pop, before a collaboration with Ebenezer (‘Mulholland Drive’) earned her over 10 million streams. Her subsequent EP ‘Alien’ referenced golden-era pop, featuring co-writes and collaborations with Anne-Marie, Cadenza, Dyo, Preditah and Rudimental. That same year, her song ‘ADCT’ (written when she was 17) soared to the #1 spot on both TikTok Trending Sounds and the UK Top 50, earning over 25 million streams. Morgan also co-wrote and featured on Rudimental & Digga D’s ‘Be the One’ and Sigma’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’-sampling hit ‘Adrenaline Rush’. More recently, she’s been writing for some of the biggest K-pop artists (including NCT’s Jaehyun), and later this year she’ll feature on Purple Disco Machine’s forthcoming album ‘PARADISE’.
Championing all sides of her personality and sonic inspirations, which point to her encyclopedic musical knowledge, Morgan is showing it all on ‘Emotional Gangster’. Rather than letting it hold her back, she’s drawing on the strength of fitting into different categories. Morgan has now sold out two London headline shows and completed her first UK headline tour at the start of the year. Like most musical greats, Morgan is unafraid to carve her own path
INTERVIEW WITH MORGAN AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: We have worked in the music industry for many years. We have witnessed different character traits. Artists that we will support through thick and thin. Just because their character defined their business practices. They were honest and forthright with all their business decisions. Loyalty and accountability were common traits for these rare gems. However, there are some that made you wish you never worked in the music industry. We will save that for an article from the editor. It is important that we focus on our guest today, Morgan. Her music is undeniably mesmerizing. To get to this stage of her career, she must have excellent character.
Guitar Thrills: Hello Morgan. It is great to sit down and interview you today. What do you think about our topic? How important is character in your line of work?
Morgan: Hey! Thank you for having me! As an artist, I feel like it is important to be unapologetically yourself - always stand behind your values and morals, and never waiver on that.
Guitar Thrills: Do you believe that it can make or break your potential? Are fans willing to forgive an artist despite their character and credibility?
Morgan: At the end of the day everyone is human, we all can make mistakes - even if you’re a good person. Should you be wrong in a situation or environment, it’s about taking accountability and educating/looking at yourself so you know how to handle problems better in the future. It’s also important to remember that you are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea and that is okay. Focus on the people that appreciate you, your art, and help propel you forward.
Guitar Thrills: We recognize that we all cannot be perfect and hold to a set of rules and or guidelines. At times we will all make decisions that are not becoming. However, it is how we bounce back and rectify the situation that matters. Can you recall when your good character wasn’t as tasteful as it is today? Can you provide us details? What was your forgettable moment, and how did you resolve it?
Morgan: The reality is that I am young and evolving as a woman everyday. Everyone makes choices that might not be becoming - we’re not infallible. I have been lucky enough to have a great support system around me from a young age that has guided me to navigate through this tricky industry - from my management and lawyer to my label and publisher.
Guitar Thrills: The important thing is where you are today. What you have accomplished and how you are perceived by those that you work with. Including your fans, who love your music. When all is said and done, what are some things you would like to be remembered for?
Morgan: I think every artist would like to leave a legacy. Music is everything to me and I just want to make timeless music that can resonate with everyone from all walks of life - regardless of your gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religious beliefs and beyond - and stay relevant decades from now.
Guitar Thrills: Very nice. Those are real and heartfelt comments. I appreciate your honesty and candid remarks. There is no doubt that you will always be compared with the great artists of our day, and those artists that have inspired you.
Guitar Thrills: In your bio you mention that you were part of Sigma’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’-sampling hit ‘Adrenaline Rush’. It so happens that sampling is one of my favorites. In 1965, the orchestral version of The Rolling Stones’ song "The Last Time" by the Andrew Oldham Orchestra was instrumental in movies and used by The Verve in “Bittersweet Symphony”.Which was just one of the reasons why “Adrenaline Rush” captured my attention.
How did you end up collaborating with Sigma on Adrenaline Rush? Did you know anything about the sampling that was used for the song?
Morgan: ‘Adrenaline Rush’ is a banger, it’s one of my favourite songs I have written. I’m a huge Drum n Bass fan - my Dad worked on sound systems while I was growing up so I have always been around the genre. Sigma are staple DJ/Producers in the scene. They reached out to me on Instagram asking if I’d be up getting in a session to write with them for their latest album. Fast forward a couple weeks and we were in with my good friend and close collaborator Georgia Ku and ‘Adrenaline Rush’ was made. The guys have always wanted to sample the original and had already made their track version. Georgia and I were up for the challenge writing to it and the topline was created so quickly. I was very chuffed when they asked me to stay on the song.
Guitar Thrills: I love it. I don’t think there was a better way to implement the sampling of that song. Do you recall where the making of that video took place?
Morgan: I do. They wanted to create a low-key gritty London rave vibe for the video. The guys got all their close mates together to recreate a quintessentially London club night. It was summer in London at the time - we had the best day.
Guitar Thrills: Do you anticipate working with Sigma on any projects moving forward?
Morgan: Definitely! We’re actually planning to get into the studio soon.
Guitar Thrills: You can hear your Jamaican roots in your sound. How much of an influence has it had on your music career and identity as an artist?
Morgan: I am half Jamaican and half Jewish. My dad produced music in what is now my room at home. I always used to watch him playing all the greats of reggae and dancehall. My Jamaican heritage is very important to me. I go there at least once a year without fail - the country inspires me so much. It’s only natural that it is going to have an influence on me (although it is important to note that it doesn’t define me - I’m also a proud product of dual heritage). I guess it also runs in the blood as my cousins are Mr. Vegas and Ken Boothe!
Guitar Thrills: Who were some of the artists that inspired you throughout the years?
Morgan: As a lot of people already know - I am the biggest Rihanna fan. It touches on what I was saying earlier about being unapologetically yourself. Rihanna embodies just that. I love the way that Rihanna is genreless yet you’ll always know when something is a Rihanna track. Her vocals and performance tie everything together.
Guitar Thrills: Have you had the opportunity to work with the artists that you grew up listening to?
Morgan: I was signed to, toured and collaborated with Rudimental - those boys are my brothers and have taught me so much about the industry. I love them unconditionally and admire what they stand for. They’re real champions for raw new talent and gave me my first real opportunity to enter music professionally. As for the greats, I am manifesting working with Rihanna, 6lack, Chris Brown and many more. My time will come!
Guitar Thrills: You just released your EP, ‘Emotional Gangster’ at the end of 2024. What was it like making that project and how is it being received by fans?
Morgan: ‘Emotional Gangster’ was a labor of love. I wrote it with some of my closest collaborators in music (Serban Cazan, Slim Typical, Taneisha Jaxxon, Bhav and Shakka). It is a pure embodiment of me, my mind and the experiences I have had in the past few years - you get heartbreak, revenge, vibes, and self-empowerment.
Guitar Thrills: What are you currently working on and when is the timeline for its release?
Morgan: I am always working on new music! I have so much in the vault. We’re just putting the finishing touches on a few songs and you’ll be getting them extremely soon!
Guitar Thrills: Do you play any instruments?
Morgan: I actually taught myself how to play the piano. Playing is so cathartic for me. I’m constantly playing and creating ideas in my bedroom. I would love to learn the guitar though - that’s the next challenge.
Guitar Thrills: That is awesome feedback and a great interview. I have a feeling that I will be looking to have you back soon. There are more questions that I would love for you to comment on. We look forward to hearing from you again. Also, for our readers, Morgan will be featured in the next issue of Guitar Thrills Magazine. Make sure you read it online, or print. I guarantee you will love how it all comes together.
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