Gramps Morgan

Roy "Gramps" Morgan (born July 7, 1976) is a Jamaican-American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, record executive, and entrepreneur. Gramps was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised partially in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is the son of well-known reggae artist Denroy Morgan, and a founding member of Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage. Most of his brothers and sisters are also in the music business.

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 Peetah 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.

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.

In 2020, Gramps Morgan released several solo singles including "Runaway Bay" and "People Like You." The latter was nominated in 2021 for three International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in the categories of Best Song, Best Crossover Song and Best Gospel Song, and won the award for Best Gospel Song. Gramps Morgan was also nominated for Best Male Vocalist.

In August 2021, Gramps Morgan released his third solo album, Positive Vibration, produced by Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Reid. The album features guest appearances by India.Arie, Shaggy, Lybran, Denroy Morgan and Jemere Morgan.

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. 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 Solo albums Title Album details 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1Released: September 1, 2009 Label: Dada Son Format: CD, Digital download *Reggae Music LivesReleased: April 24, 2012 Label: Dada Son Format: CD, digital download Positive VibrationReleased: July 23, 2021 Label: Halo Format: CD, Digital download, streaming

Morgan Heritage Title Details One CallingReleased: January 20, 1998 Label: VP Format: Cassette. CD "Don't Haffi Dread"Released: March 23, 1999 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: Cassette, CD "Three in One"Released: April 21, 2003 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download "Full Circle"Released: August 1, 2006 Label: VP Format: CD, digital download Live Another Rockaz MomentReleased: November 7, 2006 LabeL: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, Digital download "More Teachings"Released: October 16, 2007 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download Protect Us JahReleased: December 11, 2007 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download Moegan Heritage Live in EuropeReleased: March 30, 2009 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download Mission in ProgressReleased: July 24, 2009 Label: VP Format: CD, digital download Morgan Heritage Family and Friends Vol. 3Released: August 17, 2009 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download Here Comes the CrownReleased: May 31, 2013 Label: VP Format: CD, digital download Strictly RootsReleased: April 20, 2015 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download, streaming Live in Amsterdam 2003Released: June 21, 2016 Label: Continental Record Services Format: CD, digital download, streaming LoyaltyReleased: August 2, 2019 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download, streaming Penthouse Flashback: Morgan HeritageReleased: August 1, 2019 Label: Penthouse Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming AvrakedabraReleased: May 19, 2020 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download, streaming LegacyReleased: May 28, 2021 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download, streaming HomelandReleased: April 21, 2023 Label: Cool to Be Conscious Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Extended plays Title Details DeeperReleased: September 23, 2022 Label: Halo Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles As lead artist Title Year Album "Life Too Short" 2012 "Free" 2014 "People Like You" 2020 "Be Free" "Runaway Bay" Positive Vibration "Fa La La La La" "Runway Bay" (Acoustic) 2021 Deeper "Wash the Tears" (Acoustic) "A Woman Like You" Positive Vibration "Positive Vibration" "If You're Looking for Me" "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"

As featured artist Title Year Album "Therapy" 2009 Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics