Let’s be real, some of our favourite tracks from 2021 were TikTok anthems, and this includes Morgan’s “ADCT”. A synth-heavy cut featuring the artist’s romantic tone and defiant heartbreak-fulled lyricism, the 20-year-old left her mark on the app thanks to a track she had crafted years prior to the pandemic, and subsequently a long time before our TikTok obsessions. Alongside the artist’s re-release, she has continued to catapult to the helm of London’s music scene by drawing on everything from bashment to R&B, ensuring that her diverse approach to creating music is at the forefront of every release, something she has only solidified thanks to collaborations with the likes of Digga D and Ebenezer.

When speaking on her success, the young talent states, “There are always pressures when you’re trying to break this industry. There is so much competition out there. ‘ADCT’ has done so well, and I’m still taking in all the love it’s received. It’s definitely made me think about what I should put out next – whether to release a track that is in the same lane or a complete surprise. I have to make myself remember though that the thing about music and releasing it is that it should always feel natural and true to yourself as an artist. I’m lucky enough to have some loyal fans that support whatever I make and a team that is still allowing me to explore myself creatively.”

Ahead of a year sure to be filled with countless chart-topping releases, the artist sat down with Wonderland to discuss life after TikTok success and her multi-genre approach to creating music. Head below to enjoy our interview with Morgan…

Hey Morgan, how are you? How has 2021 been for you?
I’m actually doing really well and feeling very inspired at the moment. How are you? Let’s face it, 2021 has definitely been better than 2020. It’s still a little crazy out there but I’ve been able to get back out and do what I love the most, which is create, record and perform. So, I count my blessings. Obviously, there have been a lot of ups and downs emotionally and personally, but in the grand scheme of things, I’m feeling very grateful – I’ve been working a lot on myself and am aiming to bring that energy into 2022.

How would you sum it up in one word?
Unpredictable.

A lot of people’s creativity has been affected by the pandemic, has yours in any way?
At first, it definitely affected me. I hadn’t been signed for long when Covid hit and I was just starting to find my stride in the studio. When recording and writing as we knew it was taken away, my head was a bit scrambled. Everyone moved onto Zoom which was such a weird thing to me. Being an artist and songwriter, you are thrown into studios with other producers and songwriters and are pouring out your emotions and soul in order to create a song. It felt so unnatural to me having to do it through a computer screen. I had to find other ways to hone my craft, so I focused on practising my writing at home in my own space, whether it be to a YouTube instrumental or beats people sent my way. It ended up being a blessing – it forced me to think about what I truly wanted to write about and improve on my own. I’ve been in such a creatively confident space this year especially now being back in the studio. I’m so excited for people to hear what I have coming in 2022!

You’re from London, which is a melting pot of cultures! Has it influenced your sound in any way?
100%! I’m the daughter of a Jamaican father and a Russian-Jewish mother. You can definitely see how my mixed background influences my sound. When you live and work in London, you’re inspired by so much though. I work and am friends with so many people from so many different cultures, it’s inevitable that it’s going pick up in your music. London is the most incredible city – it truly is the centre of the world and I feel blessed to have grown up here.

You went viral on TikTok with “ADCT”, have you felt any pressures since then?
There are always pressures when you’re trying to break this industry. There is so much competition out there. “ADCT” has done so well, and I’m still taking in all the love it’s received. It’s definitely made me think about what I should put out next – whether to release a track that is in the same lane or a complete surprise. I have to make myself remember though that the thing about music and releasing it is that it should always feel natural and true to yourself as an artist. I’m lucky enough to have some loyal fans that support whatever I make and a team that is still allowing me to explore myself creatively. I’m only 21, and it’s just the beginning of my career. I have a long road ahead and I am taking each day and opportunity as it comes. I do want to give a BIG shout out to TikTok though – they have always shown me nothing but love and support, especially with this single!

How did it make you feel?
The funny thing is that this was the first song I ever wrote and released. I was about 16 or 17 and it was way before I signed with Rudimental’s label, Major Tom’s. It’s mad to think something I released four years ago has resurfaced and seeing so many people connect with it. This song will always have a very special place in my heart, so it obviously feels amazing that there has been a moment for it. I can’t believe it was #1 on the UK TikTok Chart at one point – my very first #1! Watching all the creations people have made and their own interpretations of the song remind you that music is all about feeling. I’m so appreciative of the old fans that pushed me to re-release it, and the new fans that have joined our journey!

It’s been a few years since your debut EP, why did you take a break?
I only released my debut EP in October of 2020, so I don’t think I have taken a break! I think maybe because of the pandemic it feels like a lifetime ago. Since the release of “Alien”, I’ve been working harder than I have ever been before. I’ve appeared on a few tracks with my brothers Rudimental, as well as Digga D, Rv, Kasien and Jevon and have actually been writing for other artists too. I’ve also been on the road quite a bit in 2021, touring with Rudimental and actually performing my own solo shows. In between all of that, I’ve been back in the studio finishing my next project. I’m too young and new to be taking a break, and don’t plan to do so until I’ve achieved everything I want such as Grammys, Brit Awards, sold-out stadiums and multi-platinum records! Even then, I’m still going to want to achieve more!

Who would you say inspires you?
My favourite artists are the legends like Michael Jackson, Mary J Blige and Angie Stone. I also can’t forget my biggest inspiration of all – Rihanna. However, it’s also my peers and Major Tom’s family that inspire me a lot – there’s nothing like learning from the people you are around the whole time.

What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
Probably the biggest misconception is that people assume I’m only an R&B artist. There are some influences of it in my music but I feel that more often than not, female artists of colour in this industry are automatically labelled as R&B and never nothing more than that, and it can be very frustrating. I’m an artist that makes many different genres but most importantly, it’s more about the messages that I convey in my songs than the genre of music I make.

What do you want people to take away from your sound?
The truth! The music you will hear in 2022 will be nothing but the truth, feeling and emotion, love and hate, happiness and sadness. It’ll be a rollercoaster, but it’ll be worth every second, I promise.

What are you most excited for in 2022?
I have a lot of music to drop and a lot to say. People need to keep their ears and eyes peeled. That’s all I’m going to say for now!