1 week ago
4
Singer, producer and Morgan Heritage member Roy “Gramps” Morgan is celebrating a major career milestone as Sunshine Girl, the hit single by Hawaiian reggae star J Boog, has officially been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The certification, issued on Monday, January 12, recognizes sales and streaming equivalents exceeding 500,000 units in the United States. The song was released from J Boog’s 2011 sophomore album Backyard Boogie.
Reflecting on the track’s creation, Morgan recalled the spontaneous energy that shaped the recording session.
“It was an incredible night after an award show,” Morgan told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday. “The owner of Washhouse Records, Jonas Teel, suggested we go into the studio, and I said, ‘Let’s go!’ My brother Peetah and I didn’t even have a song yet, so we wrote it while driving across the Williamsburg Bridge on the way to Manhattan. By the time we reached the studio, the song was complete.”
Morgan said they immediately taught the song to J Boog upon arrival.
“It was a joy to blend cultures, especially Polynesian and Jamaican influences. You can hear that in the lyrics,” he added.
Sunshine Girl was recorded at the New York City studio of former Fugees member Wyclef Jean. Morgan also served as producer on the track.
“One of my fondest memories is singing background vocals with my brother that same night,” Morgan said. “Earlier, I had won my first solo awards at the IRAWMA, and then we headed straight to the studio. Driving across that bridge, creating something so special — that moment still stays with me.”
Morgan expressed deep gratitude for the RIAA certification.
“This is an incredible achievement. The song was about cultural blending and sharing Jamaican music history. It’s actually a ska track, not your typical reggae song. We wanted to show the roots of the music,” he said. “To now see it officially go Gold is very humbling. Many people don’t know me as a producer, but my brothers and I have worked on many records over the years.”
He added, “Social media wasn’t big back then, but now it is — so let’s celebrate this monumental moment.”
J Boog’s Backyard Boogie album debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart upon its release in October 2011. The project features Peetah Morgan and reggae star Tarrus Riley, who appears on the track She Give Me Lovin.
Morgan is currently promoting his latest single, Where My Heart Belongs, from his forthcoming solo album.
“The song speaks about my love for Jamaica and for people around the world whose hearts always remain there,” he said. “I released it after Hurricane Melissa to bring comfort to Jamaicans and long-time visitors to the island.”
Recently, Morgan and the members of Morgan Heritage performed in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He also delivered a solo performance in Antigua last weekend.
The celebrations come amid personal loss, as Morgan’s brother and bandmate Peetah Morgan passed away in February 2024.
English (US) ·