| Artist | PJ Morton |
|---|---|
| Cover | Watch the Sun.jpg |
| Released | April 29, 2022 |
| Recorded | 2020–2022 |
| Studio | Studio in the Country (Bogalusa, Louisiana) |
| Genre | R&B |
| Label | Morton |
| Producer | PJ Morton |
| Prev year | 2020 |
| Next year | 2024 |
Watch the Sun is the eighth studio album by American singer PJ Morton. It was released on April 29, 2022, through Morton and EMPIRE Records.[1]
Watch the Sun is regarded as the Magnum Opus of Morton's career,[2] and features many collaborations with gospel, R&B, and hip-hop artists.
Background
In 2020, Morton released his first and only gospel album, Gospel According to PJ: From the Songbook of PJ Morton, and afterward, he moved to Bogalusa, Louisiana to record this album.[3] He got a residence at the studio. He and his collaborators worked around the clock to complete this album.
Morton said that this album was really personal for him, stating on Zoom:
I just had to go a little deeper and get under another layer and really give that vulnerability.
— PJ Morton
He also had many voice notes from early 2020 that he used for this album.
Composition
The album is very R&B and soul-influenced, with songs like 'Be Like Water" and "Lil Too Heavy" having heavy influences. He also collaborated with Stevie Wonder a major influence to the artist.[4] He also would collaborate with fellow R&B artists such as Alex Isley and Susan Carol.
Release
Morton announced Watch the Sun on his Facebook account on March 2, 2022,[5] and it was released on April 29, 2022, through Morton Records on LP, Album, CD, and Stereo.
Charting singles
Morton had one song "Please Don't Walk Away" reach the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart at No. 35.[citation needed] Two songs from the album entered the Adult R&B Airplay chart (the aforementioned title at No. 10, and "My Peace" with JoJo and Mr. TalkBox, at No. 18).[citation needed]
Charts
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[citation needed] | 56 |
Grammy nominations
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | "Please Don't Walk Away" | Best R&B Song | |
| 2023 | Watch the Sun | Best R&B Album |
Promotion
Morton announced his Watch the Sun Tour a week before the album's release. It lasted from May 25 to October 1, 2023.[6]
References
- ^ "Watch the Sun by PJ Morton". Genius. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (2022-09-21). "PJ Morton Declares 'Watch The Sun' His Magnum Opus". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ "PJ Morton's 'Watch the Sun' is a Full Circle Moment - Okayplayer". www.okayplayer.com. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ "Modern Classics: PJ Morton made Nas's Stevie Wonder dream come true". Switched On Pop. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ 5.1K views · 630 reactions | NEW ALBUM. WATCH THE SUN. APRIL 29. #watchthesun☀️ | By PJ Morton | Facebook. Retrieved 2025-01-21. – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "PJ Morton Announces Watch The Sun Tour: 35 Shows For Summer & Fall, Including NYC's Apollo Theater, LA's Theater at Ace Hotel, Nashville's Ryman Auditorium & Much More". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved 2025-01-21.