Roy ‘Gramps’ Morgan of the renowned Morgan Heritage collective has shared captivating insights into the spontaneous creation of J Boog’s hit single ‘Sunshine Girl,’ recently certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The certification recognizes the track’s remarkable achievement of exceeding 500,000 units in combined sales and streaming equivalents.
In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, Gramps recounted the extraordinary night following an awards ceremony when the song came to life. ‘It was an incredible night after an award show,’ he recalled. ‘The owner of Washhouse Records, Jonas Teel, suggested going into the studio, and I immediately agreed.’
The creative process unfolded during a spontaneous journey across Williamsburg Bridge en route to Manhattan’s recording facilities. Gramps collaborated with his late brother Peetah Morgan to compose the entire song during this transit. ‘By the time we arrived, the song was complete, and we taught the artist the composition upon reaching the studio,’ Gramps revealed, emphasizing the joyful cultural exchange between Polynesian and Jamaican influences evident in the lyrics.
Recorded at Wyclef Jean’s New York studio, the track represents a significant milestone in Gramps’ production career. ‘This is an incredible achievement,’ he expressed. ‘When I produced the song, it centered on cultural blending and sharing Jamaica’s musical history. This is a ska track, not conventional reggae, and we aimed to educate the artist about musical roots.’
The song appears on J Boog’s 2011 album ‘Backyard Boogie,’ which immediately topped Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart upon its October release. The album features notable collaborations including Tarrus Riley on ‘She Give Me Lovin’ and contains recordings from Jamaica’s Digital B and Big Yard studios. Another track, ‘Let’s Do It Again,’ achieved platinum certification in February 2024.
Gramps is currently promoting his new single ‘Where My Heart Belongs,’ a tribute to Jamaica intended to comfort listeners following Hurricane Melissa. The song will appear on his forthcoming untitled solo album, though no release date has been confirmed. Recent performances include shows in St. Croix with Morgan Heritage and a solo appearance in Antigua, continuing his musical journey despite the recent passing of his brother Peetah Morgan in February 2024.