Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer PJ Morton is now part of the Disney family, fulfilling a childhood dream by writing and producing an original song for the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction.
Morton will create and reimagine music for the new ride inspired by the 2009 animated film, The Princess and the Frog. Since the hit movie, which starred Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, was set in New Orleans, where Morton is from, it’s fitting to have him on board for this adventure.
Morton went to Instagram to share the news. “I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD. Mann… this is a full circle moment! It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to write original music for @disney. Never imagined doing it in such a HISTORIC way for @disneyparks creating original music for The Princess and the Frog‘s attraction, Tiana’s Bayous Adventure, scheduled to open at both @disneyland and @waltdisneyworld in 2024, replacing Splash Mountain! It’s a dream come true,” Morton wrote in a caption.
Morton is not the only one sharing their heritage in this project. Terrace Blanchard, a fellow New Orleans native and multi-Grammy winner, will also contribute to Tiana’s Bayous Adventure by overseeing the music arrangement for the ride.
Blanchard will use selected songs from the film and iconic themes from The Big Easy. Interestingly, Blanchard also played the trumpet parts for Louis, the alligator voiced by Michael-Leon Wooley, in The Princess and the Frog.
Rated R&B has teamed up with Morton and Blanchard to release a special clip where they talk about their collaboration on the music for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, in anticipation of the attraction. It can be viewed below.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be introduced at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, in 2024. The new ride will replace Splash Mountain, which had been an attraction for over thirty years.
Last month, Morton released a live version of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “The Sweetest Thing.”
His faithful remake follows his original song, “Good Morning,” featuring Susan Carol. The two performed the track on The Jennifer Hudson Show a month after its premiere. It’s uncertain if this duet will appear on an upcoming album from Morton.
Morton’s last album Watch the Sun came out in April 2022. He expanded the album later that fall, just weeks before the Recording Academy nominated the standard version for Best R&B Album at the 65th Grammy Awards. Its lead single, “Please Don’t Walk Away,” landed a Best R&B Song nomination.
Watch the Sun was featured on Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2022 list.
Video Courtesy of Disney Parks