Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage is experiencing a significant surge in the streams and sales of their music catalog since the passing of the group’s lead singer, Peetah Morgan, on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
The renewed global interest in the iconic reggae band’s music spans several albums and singles across various platforms. On the sales driven U.S. iTunes Reggae chart, their 2021 compilation album “Legacy,” which features 35 hits including “Don’t Haffi Dread,” “A Man Is Still A Man,” and “Down By The River,” has peaked at No. 5. It’s only being held off from the top spot by Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “Legend” and “Exodus” albums and deluxe versions.
Over the weekend, Morgan Heritage albums “More Teachings” (2001) and “Live In Amsterdam” (2004) entered the top ten on the Reggae iTunes chart for the first time. Both albums now sit at No. 19 and 20, respectively.
Even as their song becomes the soundtrack for the streets of Kingston this week, “Tell Me How Come” is charting on Apple Music at #38 in Dominica, #39 in the British Virgin Islands, and #84 in Sierra Leone. It also holds the position of #56 in Kenya on Deezer.
“I’m Coming Home” holds positions at #77 in Gambia, #43 in Kenya, #92 in Uganda, #159 in Senegal, and #162 in Tanzania. Meanwhile, “A Man in Love” charts at #5 in Dominica.
The album “Full Circle” enters Apple Music charts at #24 in Gambia, #30 in Guyana, #37 in Sierra Leone, #38 in Saint Kitts and Nevis, #62 in Turks and Caicos, #83 in Tanzania, #87 in Belize, #91 in Dominica, and #93 in Senegal.
Morgan Heritage debuted album “Miracles” was released in in 1994 under MCA Records, showcasing a pop-influenced sound. After relocating to Jamaica, they collaborated with renowned reggae producers and released albums like “Protect Us Jah” (1997) and “Don’t Haffi Dread” (1999), focusing on spiritually inclined themes. Their discography includes 19 albums (including live albums and compilations).
Following a hiatus for solo projects, the band reunited and released “Here Come the Kings” in 2013, followed by “Strictly Roots,” which won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2016. Their album “Avrakedabra” received another Grammy nomination in 2018.
The group’s last performance in Jamaica was at the 30th staging of Reggae Sumfest last July.
