Morgan Heritage
One of the biggest reggae acts in the world are back with
their new album Mission In Progress. MC Mojo explains…
W
ith an amazing legacy of mainstream attention on radio and Acknowledging and embracing
nine successful albums it limits the true capability of the growth is why you will never hear
worldwide, Morgan music,’ says Mojo. This issue is Morgan Heritage limit themselves
Heritage are true reggae royalty. explored in Raid Rootz Dance, the to only one sound. ‘Reggae is the
Dropping albums between single from Mission in Progress. foundation, but we have a little
1994 and 2005, the quintet have hip hop influence, rnb and rock
spawned hits (sure to become Keeping the balance – we grew up listening to Top 40
classics) such as Don’t Haffi Dread, For many multifaceted artists, radio,’ explains Mojo. ‘Like a book,
Down by the River, Your Best maintaining the balance between it’s hard to just say chapter three.
Friend and Tell Me How Come. good vibes music and music with We’re at chapter ten now, and
Although the Morgan siblings hail a message can be challenging. chapter ten really makes you
from a musical family (their father
is famed reggae artist Denroy
Morgan), it was their own passion
that led them to come together.
With the release of their tenth
album this year, aptly named
Mission In Progress, the band are
re-asserting their position among
reggae’s elite. ‘Mission In Progress
means we are getting our
message to the masses by any
means necessary,’ says Mojo, MC
cum-vocalist-cum-percussionist
and a fifth of the band.
The remainder is made up of
Una (vocalist/keyboardist), Peter
(vocalist), Roy (keyboardist/vocal-
ist) and Nakhamya (rhythm guitar).
Combining their American and
Jamaican roots with philosophies
of Rastafarianism, the siblings
bring to us a sound they have
dubbed Rockaz. ‘Rockaz is reggae
music that rocks,’ Mojo explains.
European fanbase
While the UK may be lagging
behind on the Heritage schooling,
the rest of Europe and indeed the
world have already begun taking
lessons. ‘Jamaica has the most
impact on the spreading of the
MC Mojo: ‘We want to bring
our message to the masses’
music, but when it comes to the
fans and where our fanbase is,
Europe has the most impact.
Some never make the grade while appreciate how significant and
Next to that it would be the African
others, like Morgan Heritage, excel important the other nine were.’
continent – they really spread the
at it. Capable of compassionately
message of our music.’ This makes
relaying the hardships in Jamaica Rastafarianism dedication
Morgan Heritage one of the
rarely seen by tourists on the track Throughout their music, what
biggest reggae acts in the world.
Nothing to Smile About, they is a constant is their dedication to
Rastafarianism. MC Mojo explains.
“We call our music ‘life music’ because of the
‘We call our music ‘life music’
inspiration and deep sense of understanding
because of the inspiration and
understanding we take from our
we take from our spiritual background” spiritual background. We’re
influenced by Haile Selassie and
But despite the frequency of
exude the same amount of energy the great people spoken about in
love and support from fans, a lot
on songs about love. ‘We just try the Bible, like Solomon and David.’
less is received from radio stations.
to be who we are,’ says Mojo. ‘We By maintaining their success
‘Reggae artists tour more than
grow, thus our music will grow and staying grounded through
any other genre of music, except
with our views. I could give you a their deep-rooted faith, these
for maybe rockers – they tour just
deeper answer but we stay true prophets of music are set to fulfil
ds by Rachelle Hull
as much. Yet reggae doesn’t get
to who we are, that’s the truth.’ their current mission in progress.
or
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