Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Jemere Morgan ‘blazing’ the trail

Published:Monday | August 15, 2022 | 12:06 AMStephanie Lyew/ Gleaner Writer
Jemere’s Keep Blazing Summer Tour started on the Roatán island in Honduras but most of the dates are in the US.
Jemere’s Keep Blazing Summer Tour started on the Roatán island in Honduras but most of the dates are in the US.
Jemere builds his self-confidence by studying the greats who have  succeeded and overcome similar struggles.
Jemere builds his self-confidence by studying the greats who have succeeded and overcome similar struggles.
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Jemere Morgan embarked on his first-ever solo tour on July 16, with no expectations but to demonstrate how much he has grown both musically and spiritually. The recording artiste, third generation of the legendary reggae royal Denroy Morgan, said that he is accustomed to touring with Morgan Heritage but that he has had to “start from scratch”.

“I’m used to touring on a big tour bus with my family but I find myself in a 15-passenger van with my band and will have to build my way up to where I can afford to tour with a big bus. Nonetheless, the overall feeling was excitement because I’ve grown so much and I have a chance to implement those elements on stage and connect with people on a higher level,” Jemere told The Gleaner.

The Keep Blazing Summer Tour started on the Roatán island in Honduras but majority of the dates found the young reggae singer-songwriter making stops across the West Coast of the US, including California, Washington, Oregon and Utah. He received direct support from Hawaiian artiste Willz.

The final stop was the fifth annual Houston Reggae Festival which is known to feature vendors in food and art and entertainers from Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. It was Jemere’s second time on the stage, but this time appearing without Morgan Heritage.

Jemere surprised the reggae community with his melodic sound more than a decade ago when he released the love song Sunshine Glow in 2012. Back then he sported low hair and now, he has shoulder-length locs and his voice has certainly deepened but still has its smooth timbre. He released his sophomore album, Self-Confidence, in 2019 and it has been receiving amazing feedback with Africa being one of his greatest markets, he said.

“Africa has been a huge supportive market for me. I’ve had the chance to perform several times in different countries in Africa like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde and Malawi to name a few, and to be honest, the fans from these countries have stuck with me to this day,” he shared.

He said that the album was made with the aim to inspire persons who experienced a lot of self-doubt because, “even me at one point was doubting myself”, and that there are many young people worldwide are dealing with similar issues.

“There was a time that I was lost in direction, but when you believe in yourself and do the work anything is possible and most times things work out for you whether it’s a lesson or a blessing,” he said. “There are so many youths who have been misled from the lack of guidance from their parents at home, and they turn to the music for guidance [so] we as musicians and artistes have to be aware of what we are saying in the music and have the responsibility in controlling the frequencies of the earth and the people. That’s why I use my voice as a tool to push positivity into the youths coming up.”

The Try Jah Love singer said that to build his self-confidence he studies the greats before him who have succeeded and overcome similar struggles.

He said, “Your mentality has a lot to do with your confidence, so it’s imperative that you feed your mind with motivational things and surround yourself with people doing better than you in life.”

Jemere is not only celebrating a successful solo tour, but being able to connect with seasoned entertainers along his professional journey, including Wyclef Jean, with whom he recorded the 2021 single My Kingdom.

“This was my first time working with an international Legend besides my family Morgan Heritage. It was such an easy-going and amazing experience working with Wyclef,” he shared.

“What really impressed me was to see him show up on time for the video shoot for the song. He stayed and hung out with me and my family after the video shoot was done and kicked a couple freestyle which he loves to do. If you ever run into Wyclef he’s gonna ask you, ‘where your bars at’, and now he’s like a uncle to me and a very supportive mentor,” Jemere continued.

He anticipates carrying on the legacy of his grandfather and also Morgan Heritage, but is also determined to make his name a globally recognised brand.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com