Debelah Morgan
Encyclopedia
Debelah Morgan is an American
Singer and Songwriter
. Morgan is best known for her hit single "Dance with Me," off of her third album, which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
. Morgan has been compared to artists such as Minnie Riperton
and Mariah Carey
because of her extensive use of the whistle register
.
Morgan graduated at sixteen with honors in performing arts from Tucson High Magnet School.
Morgan is a National ACT-SO NAACP SIlver medalist in Classical Voice. Morgan attended Fullerton College
and studied voice with Sarah McFerrin (mother of world renowned jazz recording artist Bobby McFerrin
). Debelah tops off her list of famous teachers with vocal coach of the stars Seth Riggs
(creator of the speech level singing method).
In 1993 Debelah Morgan was discovered by Dedra Tate. Morgan was managed by Sandy Tate during her debut album Debelah
released in (1994) by Atlantic Records
. Two singles (“Take it Easy” and “Free”) successfully reached the R&B charts.
In 1997 Motown released her second album, It’s Not Over
on VAZ/Motown Records
Morgan was managed by Raoul Roach (son of Jazz Legend the late Max Roach
). Her sophomore release includes duets with R&B Super StarBrian McKnight
and R&B Singer Herschel Boone. The R&B success of her single landed Morgan on the R&B charts.
In 1998 the International Music community responded to Debelah's unique musical flavor. Morgan toured Southeast Asia and several European countries. In 1998 she was featured on three soundtrack albums: Fame L.A.
, Our Friend, Martin
and Stuart Little
.
In 1999 Debelah signed a music management deal with DAS Communications founder David Sonenberg. Debelah also worked with DAS manager Scot McCracken. Morgan also signed a publishing deal at EMI Music Publishing under Senior Vice President Evan Lamburg. In 2000, she signed with DAS/Atlantic Records
and her record company released the single and album "Dance with Me". This song charted around the world making Morgan an international sensation. Debelah Morgan made history as the first Atlantic recording artist to debut in the Top Ten in the U.K. on both the Pop and R&B charts. This gave Morgan the exclusive opportunity to perform live on Britain’s TV show Top of The Pops, a show reserved only for those who debut in the Top Ten. Her success moved down under to New Zealand and Australia where "Dance with me" went platinum in two weeks.
Debelah was the featured guest vocalist for the 2001 Goodwill Games
in Brisbane, Australia. In the fall of 2001 Debelah sang with Michael Jackson
and Mariah Carey
on an ABC special honoring the victims of 9/11.
After the record company's promotion and touring for her third album ended, Morgan recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the movie Road Kings
titled "Fly Free" and "I'll Take You There." Debelah is also featured on the Urban Renewal: Phil Collins tribute album singing “Do You Remember.”
At the request of her record label Morgan expanded her creative direction with a soul album titled Caged Bird, but this has never been released.
In 2004 Debelah Morgan became a born again Christian.
Debelah contributes much of her success to the many talent and scholarship pageants she won in her early years. Debelah is a former Ms. Juneteenth, Ms Black Teen Arizona, Ms. Black Teenage World, and Ms. Arizona in Hal Jackson’s talented teen international scholarship pageant.
Pageant founder Hal Jackson is the first African American sports announcer. Debelah was a debutante twice in the Gospel Music Workshop of America Cotillion Pageant Ball.
In 2005 she married Pastor Gerald Gallimore. She has recently completed her first "Live" Gospel album Let the Worship In, which features Worship Leader (Integrity Recording Artist) Freddy Rodriguez. Included on this album also are worship leaders: Jonfulton Wilkerson, BJ Putnam, Dawnchere Wilkerson and Music Producer Giloh Morgan.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Singer and Songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. Morgan is best known for her hit single "Dance with Me," off of her third album, which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Morgan has been compared to artists such as Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
because of her extensive use of the whistle register
Whistle register
The whistle register is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto register...
.
Biography
Debelah Morgan started singing when she was eight years old as a result of listening to some classic gospel music. Andrae Crouch, The O’Neil Twins, Shirley Caesar, Jessie Dixon and gospel sensations The Mighty Clouds of Joy were among the names Morgan listed. Gospel singer Claire Lucket Moore (sister of the gospel group "Jackson Southernaires") attended her church and began working with her; developing a very creative gospel style. When she turned eleven her parents placed her with a classical voice teacher (Earlene Boyd) who taught her the foundations of great vocal technique and exposed her to Opera. At the age of fifteen Debelah received a scholarship to study with World renowned Opera singer Faye Robinson at the University of Arizona.Morgan graduated at sixteen with honors in performing arts from Tucson High Magnet School.
Morgan is a National ACT-SO NAACP SIlver medalist in Classical Voice. Morgan attended Fullerton College
Fullerton College
Fullerton College is the oldest community college in continuous operation in California, having been established in 1913. Current enrollment is 22,014.- History 1913 to 1972 :...
and studied voice with Sarah McFerrin (mother of world renowned jazz recording artist Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
). Debelah tops off her list of famous teachers with vocal coach of the stars Seth Riggs
Seth Riggs
Seth Riggs is an American vocal coach and founder of a technique known as Speech Level Singing. Some of his students have included Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Jackson, Kalil Wilson, Ray Charles, Josh Groban and Philip Webb.- External links :...
(creator of the speech level singing method).
In 1993 Debelah Morgan was discovered by Dedra Tate. Morgan was managed by Sandy Tate during her debut album Debelah
Debelah
Debelah is the first album of American singer Debelah Morgan. It was released in the United States by Atlantic Records on June 14, 1994....
released in (1994) by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Two singles (“Take it Easy” and “Free”) successfully reached the R&B charts.
In 1997 Motown released her second album, It’s Not Over
It's Not Over (Debelah Morgan album)
It's Not Over is the second album by American singer Debelah Morgan. This album was released in Europe and Asia on VAZ/Motown Records September 15th, 1998. First single "Yesterday" was given a U.S release giving Morgan urban success landing her song on the R&B charts...
on VAZ/Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
Morgan was managed by Raoul Roach (son of Jazz Legend the late Max Roach
Max Roach
Maxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer.A pioneer of bebop, Roach went on to work in many other styles of music, and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history...
). Her sophomore release includes duets with R&B Super StarBrian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
and R&B Singer Herschel Boone. The R&B success of her single landed Morgan on the R&B charts.
In 1998 the International Music community responded to Debelah's unique musical flavor. Morgan toured Southeast Asia and several European countries. In 1998 she was featured on three soundtrack albums: Fame L.A.
Fame L.A.
Fame L.A. was an MGM U.S. television series from 1997-1998. It told the story of a drama/dance school in Los Angeles where students honed their talents while overcoming various personal problems. It starred Christian Kane, Rosalyn Sanchez, and William R. Moses. Its producers included Patricia...
, Our Friend, Martin
Our Friend, Martin
Our Friend, Martin is a 1999 animated children's educational film about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American civil rights movement. Two friends travel through time, meeting Dr. King at several points during his life...
and Stuart Little
Stuart Little (film)
Stuart Little is a 1999 family film. It is loosely based on the novel of the same name by E. B. White. It combines live-action and computer animation. The screenplay was co-written by M. Night Shyamalan and Greg Brooker, with uncredited script doctoring by David O. Russell and Billy Ray...
.
In 1999 Debelah signed a music management deal with DAS Communications founder David Sonenberg. Debelah also worked with DAS manager Scot McCracken. Morgan also signed a publishing deal at EMI Music Publishing under Senior Vice President Evan Lamburg. In 2000, she signed with DAS/Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and her record company released the single and album "Dance with Me". This song charted around the world making Morgan an international sensation. Debelah Morgan made history as the first Atlantic recording artist to debut in the Top Ten in the U.K. on both the Pop and R&B charts. This gave Morgan the exclusive opportunity to perform live on Britain’s TV show Top of The Pops, a show reserved only for those who debut in the Top Ten. Her success moved down under to New Zealand and Australia where "Dance with me" went platinum in two weeks.
Debelah was the featured guest vocalist for the 2001 Goodwill Games
2001 Goodwill Games
The 2001 Goodwill Games was the fifth and final edition of the international multi-sport event. The competition was held in Brisbane, Australia from 29 August to 9 September 2001. A total around 1300 athletes took part in 14 sporting competitions....
in Brisbane, Australia. In the fall of 2001 Debelah sang with Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
on an ABC special honoring the victims of 9/11.
After the record company's promotion and touring for her third album ended, Morgan recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the movie Road Kings
Road Kings
Road Kings is a pinball machine produced by Williams. Several prior designs had been tested before Williams settled upon the George Miller directed Mad Max movies as a theme for this machine. 4 Player game with 2 ball multi-ball feature.-External links:*...
titled "Fly Free" and "I'll Take You There." Debelah is also featured on the Urban Renewal: Phil Collins tribute album singing “Do You Remember.”
At the request of her record label Morgan expanded her creative direction with a soul album titled Caged Bird, but this has never been released.
In 2004 Debelah Morgan became a born again Christian.
Debelah contributes much of her success to the many talent and scholarship pageants she won in her early years. Debelah is a former Ms. Juneteenth, Ms Black Teen Arizona, Ms. Black Teenage World, and Ms. Arizona in Hal Jackson’s talented teen international scholarship pageant.
Pageant founder Hal Jackson is the first African American sports announcer. Debelah was a debutante twice in the Gospel Music Workshop of America Cotillion Pageant Ball.
In 2005 she married Pastor Gerald Gallimore. She has recently completed her first "Live" Gospel album Let the Worship In, which features Worship Leader (Integrity Recording Artist) Freddy Rodriguez. Included on this album also are worship leaders: Jonfulton Wilkerson, BJ Putnam, Dawnchere Wilkerson and Music Producer Giloh Morgan.
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
| Debelah Debelah Debelah is the first album of American singer Debelah Morgan. It was released in the United States by Atlantic Records on June 14, 1994....
|
| It's Not Over It's Not Over (Debelah Morgan album) It's Not Over is the second album by American singer Debelah Morgan. This album was released in Europe and Asia on VAZ/Motown Records September 15th, 1998. First single "Yesterday" was given a U.S release giving Morgan urban success landing her song on the R&B charts... Motown Records Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit... RIAA certification In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards... : None |
| Dance with Me Dance with Me (Debelah Morgan album) Dance with Me is the third album by American singer Debelah Morgan. It was released in the United States by DAS/Atlantic Records on August 15, 2000.... Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... RIAA certification In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards... : None |
| Light at the End of the Tunnel
RIAA certification In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards... : None |
Singles
| Year | Title | U.S. Pop Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B | U.S. Dance | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Take It Easy" | - | 56 | - | - | Debelah Debelah Debelah is the first album of American singer Debelah Morgan. It was released in the United States by Atlantic Records on June 14, 1994.... |
| "Free Free (Deniece Williams song) "Free" is a popular song by Deniece Williams which was included on her album This Is Niecy. Written by Williams, Hank Redd, Nathan Watts and Susaye Greene and produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney... " |
- | 96 | - | - | ||
| 1998 | "Yesterday" | 56 | 28 | 45 | - | It's Not Over It's Not Over (Debelah Morgan album) It's Not Over is the second album by American singer Debelah Morgan. This album was released in Europe and Asia on VAZ/Motown Records September 15th, 1998. First single "Yesterday" was given a U.S release giving Morgan urban success landing her song on the R&B charts... |
| "I Love You" | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2000 | "Dance with Me" | 8 | 27 | 4 | 10 | Dance with Me Dance with Me (Debelah Morgan album) Dance with Me is the third album by American singer Debelah Morgan. It was released in the United States by DAS/Atlantic Records on August 15, 2000.... |
| 2001 | "I Remember" | - | - | - | - | |
| 2005 | "Just As I Am" | - | - | - | - | Light at the End of the Tunnel |