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PJ Morton, R&B vocalist and keyboardist for Maroon 5, is out with a debut solo album, "Gumbo," that landed him two Grammy nominations, one for best R&B Album and one for best R&B song for that track “First Began.” 

The album brought him back to his New Orleans roots, and along with the sounds of the Big Easy, Morton brought a new political energy to an album that he channeled through musicians of the civil rights era.

"For me this record, "Gumbo," was a pivotal moment in the same way "What's Going On" was for Marvin Gaye," said Morton. "I felt I had to say more. It was even that I wanted to initially. Now I want to, but I felt it necessary and a responsibility to say more."

Morton says in upbringing in the church makes him hopeful for the country's future, despite some of the division that has emerged over the past year.

"You know as dark as it looks, I'm still hopeful and maybe it's my upbringing," said Morton. "But no matter how dark it looks, it's been worse before and we've definitely come a long way, have a long way to go, but I do believe that and I want to be a voice of inspiration in the darkness that says no matter how it looks it's gonna be alright."

Today, Morton joins The Takeaway to discuss the meaning behind "Gumbo."

Watch Morton perform his song, "First Began," in our studio, below.

This segment is hosted by Todd Zwillich.