Singer-songwriter Morgan is gaining attention with her fresh new music, while also making a splash in the K-pop scene through exciting collaborations. Known for her unique fusion of genres like Dancehall and R&B, Morgan’s innovative sound has resonated widely. Her recent work with K-pop artists showcases her versatility and global appeal, further solidifying her as a rising star on both the international and K-pop stages. With each new project, she continues to expand her influence and reach new audiences around the world.
“Wheel Up” Music Video
Ahead of the release of “Wheel Up” KpopWise caught up with Morgan amid her busy schedule to discuss her music and how she feels about her work in the K-pop industry thus far.
Can you talk about some of your recent work in the K-pop space?
I LOVE writing K-pop. Getting involved in the scene has changed my life and improved my songwriting massively. I travel to Seoul a couple times a year to work with everyone out there. My first ever cut was ‘TAPE’ on Kep1er’s mini album ‘Magic Hour’. I also wrote ‘Roses’ with Jaehyun which was the lead track off his debut album ‘J – The 1st Album’. One of my favourite producers to work with out there is P DOG (who has a produced a lot of the BTS hits). There’s a lot more coming that I can’t reveal yet but you’ll find out in due course!
What is your creative process like when working on K-pop songs vs. your solo music?
K-pop is slightly different to how I would write my own songs. Usually producers already have the beat they’ve created before they involve artists and topliners – so it’s really a case of me understanding what concept they want to bring out in the song and then laying the melody and lyrics. My solo music takes a slightly different shape. I love creating tracks from scratch depending on what mood I am in that day and what I personally want to talk about.
How has the opportunity to write for such huge K-pop artists come about?
I have to say a big thank you to my publishers, Phrased Differently, who are actually based in the UK. They’re very immersed in the K-pop world and thought my style of writing would cater to the K-pop music industry. They flew me out to Seoul on a whim and made sure I was working with everyone from Hybe to SM and it kind of went from there. The K-pop scene is super appreciative of RnB and its what I live and breathe. It just happened naturally.
What unique challenges do you face when writing for a non-Western audience, and how do you overcome them?
Even when it comes to my own artist project, I have never limited myself to one genre – I’ve explored and am literally inspired by so many different types of music. I am also a product of dual heritage myself so writing for non-Western audiences has never been an issue really. I can jump between the two – it’s second nature!
As a songwriter, how do you balance staying true to your own voice while adapting to K-pop artists?
Honestly, as an artist it’s about recognising that the reason those people called you there in the first place is because they liked the sauce that you bring. Essentially, yourself is all you can do. I don’t try to adapt too much… I just keep it real, and it’s been working for me!
With the increasing popularity of K-pop worldwide, how do you see your role evolving as a songwriter for this genre? Do you have a dream artist to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate and write with Lisa from Black Pink – I’m manifesting that into existence everyday. I’d also love to do an artist collaboration with Jaehyun [from NCT] – he’s a force of nature. However, the list could be endless. I love what K-pop is and how it’s evolving. There are no boundaries in the scene and it’s so refreshing to see and be part of as both an artist and songwriter. The end goal is to bring my own music and artist project to Korea and the wider region as well.
Outside of the K-pop world, you make your own Pop/R&B music, including this week’s single, ‘Wheel Up.’ What can fans expect from your solo artistry this year?
My own artistry involves variations of genres, emotions, and a sneak peak into my mind. I always stress that my art is not subject to a genre. I focus solely on individual stories throughout each song that draw on my different emotions, inspirations and cultures I have been exposed to. For some artists they prefer to speak about one topic on a project – and while there is no right or wrong formula, this does not represent me. In short, there is something for everyone on my next project ‘Emotional Gangster’ which is dropping October 25, 2024 and I cannot wait for the world to hear it!
===
Morgan will also embark on a solo tour this November, headlining five shows across the UK, including a date at London’s iconic Jazz Cafe. The dates are as follows and tickets are available HERE.
November 25: Glasgow @ The Poetry Club
November 26: Manchester @ YES
November 28: London @ Jazz Café
November 30: Birmingham @ The Sunflower Lounge
December 1: Bristol @ The Louisiana
Follow Morgan
Spotify | Apple Music | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
