PJ Morton and Ro James of ‘Preacher’s Kids’ talk about how religion has influenced their music

Our R&B dreams got here true this week in an episode featuring PJ Morton.

Not only did some of our favourite stars get to check their R&B knowledge, but Morton connected with contestant and fellow singer/songwriter Ro James. They have a special bond because they grew up within the church.

“We’re both pastor’s kids,” Morton said. “And we’re both not preachers. We are R&B singers.”

Morton, the son of Bishop Paul and Pastor Debra Morton, started off in gospel music before embarking on his current secular musical journey.

“It’s definitely a spiritual aspect of the music,” he said. “I don’t think people who aren’t preachers’ kids can really understand what that growing up process is like and what it means.”

For James, growing up in “PK” got here with some unique challenges.

“My dad was a pastor, a preacher and a drill sergeant in the army,” he revealed. “He was super naive about it. He was very strict. He was the oldest of the brothers and sisters, so he was mainly like their father. So I had it.

“But when he actually got into the church, he went all the way in and it was all over. The music was different – ​​he threw away the records, he threw away the CDs – you couldn’t listen to anything but gospel music,” the singer added.

But that did not stop James from pursuing his own musical dreams. He finally asked us to do it. However, being part of the “PK brotherhood” modified his approach to storytelling.

“It gave me perspective on life. It gave me perspective on love. It gave me perspective on spirituality,” James said. “Even in my writing, in the way I write, that’s where this feeling of unfulfillment comes from.”

Watch the most recent episode of ESSENCE above.