So many coming-of-age stories focus on leaving where you’re from—but what compels someone to come back? Musician PJ Morton returned to his hometown of New Orleans in 2016, and since then, he’s established an independent record label, founded a non-profit organization, and worked to restore the home of jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden. In this episode, Hanif and PJ talk about embracing the strength in your roots, and the making of his just-released album, Watch the Sun, which features appearances from artists like Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott, and more. To close the episode, Hanif takes us on a musical tour of his home state of Ohio. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-pj-morton.

Music In This Week’s Episode:
Be Like Water (feat. Stevie Wonder and Nas) - PJ Morton
Freedom Now - Tracy Chapman
Pride & Vanity - Ohio Players
Don’t Know What To Do - The Edsels
Dead End America - The Pagans
Tunnel Bound - Mood
Heat Night - The Waitresses
We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart
 

Show notes:
Watch the Sun is out today.

PJ Morton is working to save Buddy Bolden’s house. Once restored the house will become a community center, museum, and recording studio, offering music-business education for young performers and celebrating the jazz originator's legacy.

Watch the Sun was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, LO.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.