Grammy-award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and musician PJ Morton is releasing new music inspired by his 30-day journey to the Motherland while visiting South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt. His new single “Simunye (We Are One)” feat. Soweto Spiritual Singers.
The track will be on his upcoming album, “Cape Town to Cairo,” which will be released Friday, June 14. The album features collaborators like Fireboy DML, Mádé Kuti, Asa, Ndabo, and Zulu, in addition to the Soweto Spiritual Singers. Morton also used his own live band and local musicians when recording the tracks.
“Simunye (We Are One)” feat. Soweto Spiritual Singers was released on Friday, April 26 in honor of the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Freedom Day, which was celebrated Saturday, April 27.
“Simunye” is a Zulu word that means “we are one.”
“One of the main things I’ve learned during my travels is that we’re all more connected than we are divided. More love! I wrote this in Cape Town after only two days of being in Africa,” Morton said in a press release.
The song has a gospel feel to it, which is not surprising considering Morton’s deep roots in the church. Even deeper than the gospel, it’s almost like a spiritual. The instrumentation is simple, mainly a piano, with the choir singing in the background. This makes you listen more to the words and Morton’s voice. The piano, riffs, and runs that Morton sings contribute to that gospel vibe. The song is about is about coming together in unity. It’s not too late to be at peace with one another, but time is of the essence. Morton says there is strength in unity.
This is a modern song that has the same message as “We Are The World,” or “What’s Going On,” which promotes loving one another and realizing that you have a responsibility to make the world a better place.
The last part of the first verse says, “It seems as though we’re widening the divide/ Ahe Simunye/ Let’s close the gap of hate while there’s still time/ Ahe Simunye.” Then the hook comes in and says, “Because we are stronger/When we’re together/Ma Simunye.”
Morton also released a video of him singing with the Soweto Spiritual Singers.
Morton recently returned from headlining his debut shows in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. He will be performing during his extensive Cape Town to Cairo Tour for North America this summer and fall with more than 25 stops.
Tickets to the Cape Town to Cairo Tour are on sale now. Find the list of tour dates below, and sign-up for early access at pjmortonmusic.com/#shows
Morton will also be releasing his book in November, “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning,” a memoir about Morton’s viewpoints on music, faith, race, culture, expression, and identity.
Watch the video of “Simunye (We Are One)” feat. Soweto Spiritual Singers below: