Mojo Morgan is a Grammy award-winning reggae icon. His latest release, Jamaica Love, delves into the resilience, love, and heritage through a series of collaborations that showcase his unique “Rasta Rock” sound, a fusion of reggae, rock, hip-hop, country, soul, and pop. We caught up with Mojo Morgan to discuss all things music.
What inspired the creation of Jamaica Love, and how did you decide on the blend of genres that define its sound?
The inspiration came from wanting to honor Jamaica’s beauty, resilience, and spirit while also showing who I am as a solo artist. My journey has always lived between worlds, reggae, hip-hop, rock, R&B, country, and soul. So blending those influences into what I call Rasta Rock felt natural. Jamaica Love is my way of celebrating that mix while keeping reggae at the heart of it.
“Mountain Song” feels both deeply personal and universally uplifting. Can you share the story behind this track and why you chose to collaborate with Gramps and Esh Morgan?
“Mountain Song” was born out of my love for Jamaica’s natural beauty and the idea of returning home to what grounds us. It’s personal because I recorded it with my brother Gramps and my son Esh, which made it a generational experience. Having three voices from the same family, father, son, and brother, created a harmony that felt like legacy and future all in one.
The EP features legends, rising stars, and family members. How did you approach curating such a diverse lineup of collaborators?
I wanted the EP to reflect life as it really is: rooted in family, connected to community, and open to the world. So I reached out to both my blood family and my musical family. Collaborating with artists like Popcaan, Chronic Law, Maino, and Sizzla alongside Gramps, Jemere, Kelib, and Esh gave the project a balance of global reach and intimate connection.
What was the most challenging song to complete on the EP, and why?
“Man of Action” was the most challenging because it brought together different creative energies I. dancehall, hip-hop, and my own Rasta Rock vibe. Balancing those voices and making sure the message stayed clear took time, but the end result is one of the most powerful songs on the EP.
How do you define your “Rasta Rock” sound, and how does this EP expand on that vision?
Rasta Rock is reggae at the core, but with the freedom to pull from rock, country, hip-hop, and soul. It’s about fusing the consciousness of reggae with the energy of other genres. The EP expands on that by showing how wide the spectrum can go. From rootsy “Mountain Song” to crossover tracks like “By My Side” and “Make It.”
With the inclusion of Peetah Morgan, how did his presence shape the emotional landscape of this project?
Peetah’s presence is felt throughout, even if he isn’t on every track. His passing shaped the emotional weight of this project. Dreams in particular was inspired by his resilience and belief in never giving up. In many ways, the EP is dedicated to carrying forward his light.
Your music often reflects resilience and love. How have your personal life experiences influenced the emotional depth of Jamaica Love?
As a father of nine that raised my first 7 children alone for the last 13 years, as someone who has carried both triumph and loss, resilience and love are not just themes, they’re my reality. The music reflects my journey of honoring family, staying rooted in faith, and never letting go of hope.
As both a son and a father, what role does family play in your artistic journey, especially on this EP?
Family is everything. From my father Denroy’s vision, to my siblings in Morgan Heritage, to my own children now making music with me, it’s all connected. On this EP, that comes full circle with songs like “Mountain Song” and “By My Side” where legacy literally sings alongside me.
How do you balance honoring the legacy of Morgan Heritage while forging your own path as a solo artist?
I see it as building on the foundation rather than leaving it behind. Morgan Heritage gave me the roots, and now my solo work allows me to branch out. The balance comes in respecting the legacy while not being afraid to experiment and show who Mojo is individually. That’s why my project is Morgan Heritage Presents Mojo Morgan the solo artist, songwriter and producer
What emotions do you hope listeners walk away with after experiencing Jamaica Love?
I hope they feel uplifted, connected, and inspired. Whether it’s love for Jamaica, love for family, or love for life itself, the EP is about reminding people that even through struggles, there’s always joy, strength, and resilience.
The EP is being considered for GRAMMY submissions across multiple categories. How do you view its global potential compared to your past work?
With Morgan Heritage, we reached audiences all over the world, but this project opens new doors by crossing genres in ways I couldn’t before. The global potential is huge because the EP speaks to reggae fans, country listeners, hip-hop lovers and world music audiences all at once.
In a world that often compartmentalizes genres, why do you feel it’s important to create music that defies boundaries?
Because life doesn’t exist in compartments. People’s playlists today are all over the map. Reggae next to country next to hip-hop. Music should reflect that reality. Breaking boundaries allows me to connect with more people and show the universality of the message.
How do you see reggae evolving on the global stage, and what role do you hope to play in that evolution?
Reggae has always been global, but now it’s more blended. You hear its DNA in Afrobeats, Latin music, hip-hop, and pop. My role is to keep reggae at the center while showing how it can fuse with other sounds without losing its roots.
Beyond music, you’ve spoken about being a visionary and entrepreneur. How does Jamaica Love connect with your broader mission?
Jamaica Love is about more than songs, it’s about a lifestyle. It connects to my work in farming, food, and culture by promoting resilience, sustainability, and community. The mission is to show that music, agriculture, and entrepreneurship all come from the same soil.
If you could describe Jamaica Love in three words that go beyond music—words that describe its essence—what would they be?
Resilience. Legacy. Unity.
