Gramps Morgan

Roy "Gramps" Morgan (born July 7, 1976), son of well-known reggae artiste Denroy Morgan, and member of Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage, is a singer, instrumentalist, producer, record executive, and entrepreneur. Gramps was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised partially in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Gramps Morgan 2015

Early life

Gramps 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

Following 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 Peter 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.

From Left to Right: Peetah, Lukes, and Gramps

Solo career

Gramps 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.

Personal life

Gramps 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.[1] 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

Albums
  • 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1 (2009)
  • Reggae Music Lives (2012)

Singles
Featured in
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
[2]		 US AC
[3]
2009 "Therapy" (India.Arie feat. Gramps Morgan) 22 22 India.Arie album Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

References
  1. Henry, Davina (2012) "Chatting With Gramps", Jamaica Gleaner, 2 July 2012, retrieved 2012-07-03
  2. "India.Arie Album & Song Chart History - R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  3. "India.Arie Album & Song Chart History - Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
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