Roy "Gramps" Morgan (born July 7, 1976) is a Jamaican-American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, record executive, and entrepreneur. Gramps was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised partially in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is the son of well-known reggae artist Denroy Morgan, and member of Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage. Most of his brothers and sisters are also in the music business.
Early life
editGramps Morgan was born in Brooklyn, New York, in a large family of 30 children. He was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts by his mother, Pearl Foster, and father, Denroy Morgan. He attended Springfield Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts with the likes of former NBA player Travis Best. Gramps was a star football player and had multiple scholarship offers to colleges and universities around the country. His passion for music that was embedded at such a young age won the battle between a future in sports versus music. Nevertheless, Gramps was destined for a life in entertainment and continues to do so through his band and on his solo career path.
Career
editFollowing in the steps of his father, he became part of the Morgan Heritage formed in 1994 together with four of his siblings. The other band members are Peter "Peetah" Morgan, Una Morgan, Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan and Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan. Gramps Morgan plays the keyboard in the band and is also a vocalist alongside Peetah Morgan, the main vocalist. For over two decades, they have had a number of successful reggae albums. To date, the band has released 12 albums, including 2016 Grammy Award Winning Best Reggae Album Strictly Roots. Additionally, Morgan Heritage received 2 Grammy nominations for their album Avrakedabra released in 2017 and feature on Shaggy and Sting's album titled 44/876.
Solo career
editGramps Morgan has also flourished as a successful solo artist and created his own label, Dada Son Entertainment. Gramps has toured and performed with the likes of India.Arie, Buju Banton, John Legend, Tarrus Riley, and Kymani Marley. In 2009, Gramps released his debut solo album entitled 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1, which earned him a number awards. He was also featured on the India.Arie song "Therapy" that charted in the United States. His second solo album, Reggae Music Lives, was released in 2012. Again, Gramps featured on an India.Arie album entitled Songversation. Gramps continues to expand his vocal diversity with upcoming music in a variety of genres recording from all parts of the world.
In 2020, Gramps Morgan released several solo singles including "Runaway Bay" and "People Like You." The latter was nominated in 2021 for three International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in the categories of Best Song, Best Crossover Song and Best Gospel Song, and won the award for Best Gospel Song. Gramps Morgan was also nominated for Best Male Vocalist.[1]
In August 2021, Gramps Morgan released his third solo album, Positive Vibration, produced by Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Reid. The album features guest appearances by India.Arie, Shaggy, Lybran, Denroy Morgan and Jemere Morgan.[2]
Personal life
editGramps Morgan currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is an active community member and hosts his own radio show on Acme Radio. He is married to cell and developmental biologist, Dr. Annabelle Manalo. Also known as Dr. Annabelle or Dr. Annabelle Morgan, Gramps's wife received her doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Gramps has 11 children, with his oldest child being Jemere Morgan, who is the pinnacle of the Morgan family's 3rd generation of music.[3] Jemere Morgan has released 2 of his own albums, entitled Transitions and Self Confidence, through Dada Son Entertainment. Jemere frequently tours worldwide both alongside his family and with various other acts.
Discography
editAlbums
editSolo albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1 |
|
| *Reggae Music Lives |
|
| Positive Vibration |
|
Morgan Heritage
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| One Calling | |
| "Don't Haffi Dread" |
|
| "Three in One" |
|
| "Full Circle" |
|
| Live Another Rockaz Moment |
|
| "More Teachings" |
|
| Protect Us Jah |
|
| Moegan Heritage Live in Europe |
|
| Mission in Progress |
|
| Moegan Heritage Family and Friends Vol. 3 |
|
| Here Comes the Crown |
|
| Strictly Roots |
|
| Live in Amsterdam 2003 |
|
| Loyalty |
|
| Penthouse Flashback: Morgan Heritage |
|
| Avrakedabra |
|
| Legacy |
|
| Homeland |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Deeper |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Life Too Short" | 2012 | Non-album singles |
| "Free" | 2014 | |
| "People Like You" | 2020 | |
| "Be Free" (with Mojo Morgan and Stephen Marley) | ||
| "Runaway Bay" | Positive Vibration | |
| "Fa La La La La" | Non-album single | |
| "Runway Bay" (Acoustic) | 2021 | Deeper |
| "Wash the Tears" (Acoustic) | ||
| "A Woman Like You" | Positive Vibration | |
| "Positive Vibration" | ||
| "If You're Looking for Me" | ||
| "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" | Non-album single |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Therapy" (India.Arie featuring Gramps Morgan)[A][B] |
2009 | Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics |
Notes
edit- ^ "Therapy peaked at No. 22 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[4]
- ^ "Therapy peaked at No. 22 on the US Adult Contemporary` charts.[5]
References
edit- ^ King John, Marcus (May 17, 2021). "2021 IRAWMA: List of winners and nominees". Grungecake. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ Paulson, Dave (July 22, 2021). "How country-loving reggae star Gramps Morgan found a home in Nashville". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ Henry, Davina (2012) The Gleaner Staff (July 2, 2012). "Chatting With Gramps". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ "India.Arie Album & Song Chart History - R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "India.Arie Album & Song Chart History - Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2010.