Debelah Morgan (born September 29, 1973, Detroit, Michigan) 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.
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 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.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
Album information
Debelah
Released: June 14, 1994
Label: Atlantic
Chart Peak: N/A
RIAA Certification: None
Singles: "Take It Easy," "Free"
It's Not Over
Released: September 15, 1998
Label: VAZ / Motown
Chart Peak: N/A
RIAA Certification: None
Singles: "Yesterday," "I Love You"
Dance with Me
Released: August 15, 2000
Label: The DAS Label / Atlantic
Chart Peak: US Heatseekers #35
RIAA Certification: None
Singles: "Dance with Me," "I Remember"
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Released: 2005
Label: N/A
Chart Peak: None
RIAA Certification: None
Singles: "Just As I Am"
[edit] Singles
Year Title U.S. Pop U.S. R&B U.S. Dance UK Singles Chart[3] Album
1994 "Take It Easy" - 56 - - Debelah
"
Free" - 96 - -
1998 "Yesterday" 56 28 45 - It's Not Over
"
I Love You" - - - -
2000 "Dance with Me" 8 27 4 10 Dance with Me
2001 "I Remember" - - - -
2005 "Just As I Am" - - - - Light at the End of the Tunnel