Brian Alexander Morgan: Helping SWV Find their Voice With the Songs (Part 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2024
- In this segment Brian Alexander Morgan shares how he gave SWV their signature sound and songs. He really didn't want to give up 'Weak' to SWV which he had written for Charlie Wilson.
Part 2: • Brian Alexander Morgan...
Part 3: • How SWV Influenced Aal...
Part 4: • Brian Alexander Morgan...
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Brian Alexander Morgan is an American record producer that was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, United States. He was discovered by Club Nouveau founding member Jay King, who got Morgan's group a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1987. When his group's album failed to chart, they were dropped and Morgan was mentored by producer Robert Brookins.
Morgan was also labelmates with singer Chanté Moore at Warner Bros., but her album never saw the light of day due to Jay King losing the production deal over the failure of the second Club Nouveau album. Morgan- who had feelings for Moore- penned the song "Weak", which later became a hit for R&B group SWV. He originally intended to use the song for Charlie Wilson.
In the early 1990s, Morgan wrote and produced songs for Lalah Hathaway, Martha Wash, and Usher, among others. Outside of R&B, Morgan also worked in house music in the mid 2000s. Around the early 2010s, he was summoned by DJ Khalil to work on a few projects with him. Khalil's desire to work with him caused Morgan to relocate from Sacramento back to Los Angeles. Due to the move, Khalil and Morgan worked on Aloe Blacc's major label debut Lift Your Spirit.
#BrianAlexanderMorgan #SWV #Unsung
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I wouldn’t say he gave them their voices. He gave them a sound that suited their voices. Even though they could really sing.
Exactly 💯
Did you watch? He definitely gave them their sound. They came out with music that no one else was doing at the time.
I think he is a bit conceited. He didn’t give them their voices. They also had good songs with other producers. He did create magic with them.
I see what you’re saying but you’re taking it literal. Voice and sound are interchangeable. Janet Jackson didn’t have a “voice” until she worked with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on her THIRD album “Control”.
I agree
I remember hearing him on YOU'RE ALWAYS ON MY MIND dude has an incredible voice!
Yea. The vocals are awesome on the song.
That was him? Wow
I remember him from cachet de vois “only you”. He showed so much potential on that track and should have been pushed into a solo career
That was him? Wow he killed that. That’s one of my favorite songs by them!
@@Dii552 Yes
Thank you Brian Alexander for helping to develop Coko's style and giving her those signature songs. As I said before, you are to Coko what Babyface is to Toni Braxton
Facts!
Brian saw their potential and gave SWV timeless songs. It's true "I'm so into you" hasn't dated like other swing 90s RnB tracks. It had a unique style and their 1st album era spawned so many hits and remixes that got airplay which was unusual at the time.
he gets to talk about his musical style and influences
Brian, TLC switched up their style on their second album. Around the time SWV came out, TLC were still doing NJS and dressing crazy. Their first album releases were about 6 months apart.
Thank you I just corrected him myself
Exactly. CrazySexyCool was 1994. Felt totally different from 91'-92'.❤️
This was jarring me too 😂
His memory must be faulty because SWV and TLC came out the same year and they both had tomboy images. SWV was even called TLC for a minute until the witch Pebbles hit them with a cease and desist
SWV were more round the way girls NOT tomboys....
One thing about Brian he knows their voices as a whole and individually.
*anything & downtown were hard asf!*
I remember side eyeing SWV when looking at their cover, then putting the record on and becoming an instant fan.
I saw that blunt in Brian's hand..I remember Coko said he would smoke before he create. Hope we'll be getting some new collabs with SWV! I really like the song he wrote for LeLee too. It was on their VH1 reality show.
🤭 I did notice that during the interview 😅
"That's what I need" is my favorite.
And "It's about time" for me
Mine too!
WEAK was just different. As a child then, I had NEVER heard anything like it before.
So actually, TLC was on their first CD as well "Ooh on The TLC Tip" and it was released earlier in '92 before SWV. And at the time they were definitely rocking the street/hip hop look too. That was actually the style back then, ('91-'94). TLC changed up their image on their sophomore CD, "Crazy Sexy Cool" in the Fall '94, as did SWV on their sophomore CD "New Beginnings"
This is the guy behind some of my absolute favorite songs. I never knew that
Love, love, love Brian Alexander Morgan!!!
Wow, this guy is phenomenal.
Moral of the story Pharrell is really a vampire 🤣
😂😂😂
I wonder if SWV ever felt restricted creatively executing someone else's vision. In this interview it seemed like Brian saw Coko as a female version of himself and the others as background singers. Leelee started the group so the dynamic must have been off behind the scenes.
I can actually see why they broke up when they did after listening to this interview.
Great point. In the next segment I asked him about Coko singing lead and the others playing 2nd fiddle. But also why their relationship soured after the success of the 1st album. It seems like their manager played divide and conquer between everyone
That’s a question for the girls, I believe they addressed that in their show they had, on BET ( I believe).
But LELE ALSO SAYS WE HAVE A DOPE LEAD SINGER SO SHE UNDERSTANDS HER JOB!!! YES LEE LEE CAN SING BUT ON THE VRS WITH XSCAPE ITS WAS COKO THAT CARRIED SWV #FACTS
@@miystiqueskillz2233 SKILLZ My comment was about SWV at the height of their fame and youth not currently.
After SWV disbanded they admitted they were not on speaking terms for several years afterwards.
After the group broke up Leelee did interviews about financial hardship, homelessness, depression, working a regular job, and alcoholism all of which and maturity may have led her to be more appreciative of SWV.
I also watched the Unsung episode where Coko and her mother expressed disappointment about Coko not being adequately compensated for singing the majority of the lead vocals and going over background vocals.
Coko also said on their reality TV show that she didn't want to sing lead and the other girls vetoed her.
I have seen recent interviews where Leelee commends Coko as lead vocalist. and accepts her position in the group but the interview with Brian and the vocal distribution on the second album does reflect that at one point the other members wanted to showcase their singing styles as well.
I would still like to hear an interview with SWV to hear if my suspicions were correct or not tbh as I only have an opinion and would like to see if I was right or wrong.
Love these interviews. You throw the right questions and really dig into Brian's process. He is a master at this craft and you brought everything out in these interviews. Keep it up Halftime!!!
Much appreciated thank you for watching and supporting 🙏🏾
Very interesting interview. Well done.
Thank you very much 🙏🏾
I would not mind hearing Charlie Wilson sing Weak. I am sure he would kill it Charlie Wilson style.
We talk about that
I agree cause it's a simular gospel style. Bam sings simular to Charlie and Stevie style wise. It's all full circle
S/O to this man for the classic music but I can see why he’s not around as much - he loves the sound of his own voice a little too much. lol
🤭🤭🤭
He just a little arrogant
🤣🤣🤣
Agreed, he's ridiculously arrogant.
Really enjoyed this interview. He was the soundtrack when I was in basic and my first duty station. We need Dave Jam Hall up in here
Damn from janitor 🪣🪠🚰🚽 to A&R now that’s a a come up ⬆️ …
Yo I was thinking the same thing! Way to go for him. He definitely put in work.
Genius. Thx for giving us SWV!!!
You’re always on my mind , and Rain are my favorite SWV song’s
Dope album still in 2021
i waited 4 this story 4 years
🤭🤭🤭
Thanks 🙏🏾 Brian for the music ❤❤
Great interview,👍👍👍 I want them to collaborate again
Hopefully for their 30th anniversary
This was a great 1 right here bro
Thank you
Jade definitely was out in 1992
Minor detail but BAM's timeline was a little off. TLC's "CrazySexyCool" was in 94, not 92 (that was still baggy jeans & condoms era TLC). Jade also came out around 92. Again, minor but a little off.
It's true but please bare in mind that they are asked to reflect on events from 30 years ago without preparation 😇
Midwest represent!!!! I am glad you are interviewing the magic and talent behind the "talent." Brian Alexander Morgan is wildly underrated. He should've been bigger. He is the poster child for why as a producer when you have sound you NEED to get it on as many artist possible. Brandy was mad at Rodney Jerkins for giving away " her sound" but if Rodney hadn't did those records on JLo and Whitney etc he would have faded into oblivion. Brian Alexander Morgan is really just known for SWV but if he would have expanded beyond them he would have bigger success ( ...yes I know he produced for other artists, but most were one hit wonders or no hit wonders).
Very great point.
Don’t forget Rich Harrison and Amerie
@@sunshinesunflowerz1647 that is another good example! So true. Thanks!
Sweet also Swv said they were going to be tlc for Taj Leelee and Coko but TLC already had the name
@@Phillybags Interesting fact...I think I remember them saying that. That is funny. I could see it too. Lol
He’s wrong by the time TLC changed up their looks for their second album swv was already big. Swv and tlc came out about the same time with the same baggy looks.
Understandable but please try and remember that they talk about things that happened over 30 years ago 😇
Well if I am only a mere fan and know the facts she who worked with them personally should know all the facts. TLC and SWV came out the same year
Great interview ✊🏽
Thank you brother
Thanks For The HitZ! "Your Always On My MinD" Favi
TLC were still in baggy clothes in 1991. They switch it up in 1994!
They way he discredited them is sad He made it all about him and TLC
👍🏾
Read his interview with Complex and its messed up how the label did him for the second album and Diddy is a piece of work
Something happened behind the scenes which limited his music getting out
@@HalftimeChat Records executives and Diddy
Teddy Riley Remix So Into You My Joints Too!
Yes!!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Much respect Brian and you've had a tremendous career but I think u got ur timeline mixed up cos it's about time and oooh on the tlc tip dropped in 1992... crazy sexy cool was tlc 2nd album came later 94 or 95... and Jade was 92 not 94... they dropped mind body and soul by 94
Understand, but we've got to remember that the guests are asked to talk about stuff that happened 30 years ago which isn't easy for most of us.
@@HalftimeChat respect! I feel you
It was at very different points in 1992. TLC was early '92 because I was in 6th grade. SWV was late '92 because I was in 7th grade.
@@girlmom1312 exactly! TLC came in strong in early 1992, and SWV was mid-late 1992 going into 1993. And 91-92 and 92-93 were my 6th and 7th grade years, respectively, too! It was a great time to be a teenager!
Jade was definitely out in 92 when they dropped “I Wanna Love You” from the Class Act soundtrack, followed by “Don’t Walk Away” “One Woman” and “Looking For Mr Do Right” all in 93.
Very informative🔥 … I dislike the fact that he speaks as if Coko was a solo act; Very disrespectful to LeAnne and Taj ..
Haha I caught that too.But that's how alot of groups were. U had the crooner and the fillers.lmao
Why didn’t he release the song What 2 Can Do by SWV
I'll ask him
Aaliyah and swv used to dress alike
This is not the story swv tells and swv always says they had deal b4 Brian , and also tlc 2nd album came out in 94 swv it’s about time was 92 .and also tlc 1st album was in 92 . Now the way swv tells it they had a deal but no producer wanted to work with them because they was a new group and wasn’t on a popular label ,& enters Brian from there.
They had a production deal with Kenny Ortiz but no label deal. The songs Brian produced gave them the record contract. Their image was different from TLC and En Vogue but the music got them the recording contract.
@@HalftimeChat yes they image was different from both groups, but swv tells a story different from his . And tlc debut same year as swv but first. They was not working on the crazy sexy cool album . But thanks for the interview it’s always good to hear stories about my fav group
He shares more this week including new music from SWV as well as just with Coko
I’m glad you said it because I was coming to say it. His timeline is off because both TLC and SWV debuted in 1992. Crazy Sexy Cool came out in November of ‘94. By that time SWV was superstars as well.
TLC’s debut album was released in February 1992, but their debut single was released in 1991.
Nice
Why y'all mad with Coko being lead? Coko can sing tf outta her song.
Is he interviewing himself?
I spent 2hrs Interviewing him
Hahahaha.
man this headline is wack. he didnt "give" them anything. voice and harmonies that anointed aren't man given. maybe he guided them? helped them find it, but gave is a reach. thankful for him tho! made my childhood!
Did he mention producing a song for Lalah Hathaway? I liked the song but it had SWV written all over it.....
We go on to talk about his other productions
Highly agree. In fact, it sounds like 'Im So Into You'. Love the song though!
Tyler brought me here
I believe his timeline is a year or two off.
It's likely
Link me to that intro beat... ✌
Music: Secret Sauce
Musician: Jeff Kaale
@@HalftimeChat appreciated!
❤❤🤍🤍❤❤👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑❤❤🤍🤍❤❤
Where’s part 1?
We started with this segment and will get to his backstory later
Coko is the only one who sang tho. So her voice
The ladies can also sing and wanted the opportunity for a producer to let them also shine
But it's hard to have 3 singers once the original sound is already out there. Fans don't always adapt to new voices they ain't used to with a group.
I love the album cover, but did not like the weak video. LoL I'm like what the.... Boxing?! Hahahaha.
Martha who? Washington?
Martha Wash
th-cam.com/video/3O__bTjzHs4/w-d-xo.html
Wow the weather girls? I just saw her interview couple weeks saying she was doing reference tapes for others.. IN TGE BASEMENT WITH JAVONNE AND TEREZ. Welp, good job Brian Alexander , Coko is that G
Weather girls
So, BAM is the reason LeLee and Taj were ignored and not given any opportunities to sing until SWV broke ties with him. He heard Coko's voice and that's all he cared about. He's money motivated to the point of greed and had no qualms about giving teenage girls inappropriate songs to sing if it was going to make him money. We must also take note that he didn't have any qualms about hypersexualizing these same teenage girls by giving them the inappropriate songs. He saw SWV as his meal ticket and was (and remains) salty that they parted ways with him and he no longer had access to Coko's voice. There is a classy way to brag about your accomplishments and BAM hasn't found it. He has no tact, no scruples and is unlikeable, IMO.
I can't say I know much about SWV but I do know that there still seems to be some issues between both parties which is always sad to see
@@HalftimeChat This is totally my personal opinion, but the vibe he gives me is that he wanted to use SWV (and primarily Coko) as his muses and be primarily responsible for their music. This is nothing new in the music business; there is a *long* history of men holding the creative reigns of female musical acts. I think this is what he tried to set up, but the ladies rebelled and left him. He made a statement about them wanting to write more, etc and his tone was very dismissive. He comes across as a user who is just out for himself. Very sleazy vibes.
@Rosalind Gash your post is so on point! It irritates me that he referred to SWV in the singular tense several times throughout this interview. SWV's most recent 2 albums feature all three ladies on leads, and their sound is much richer because of it. "I Missed Us" is easily one of SWV's best albums.
@@RosalindGash he had his own skills. He could sing as good as Coko but he could write and compose music. He is a brian McKnight type level artist that got overlooked. Maybe he didn't ha e the swag they wanted so that's why he wrote so sexually and utilized the women to get his sound out there. The business created the environment and he adapted. I still would love to hear his own album.Hes the true all around ARTIST
His demo of Fine Time was amazing sounds better than SWV. BAM should have been an artist.
This guy has the yrs all wrong.
It can be a challenge during the interview to remember stuff from 30 years ago, so please bare with the guests 😇
WHATS GOING ON CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IM GONNA DO ABOUT HIM I JUST DONT KNOW WHY YOU ARE TREATING ME LIKE YA DO YOU ARE BOY YOU KNOW YOU GOT IT GOIN ON YASSS I LOVE THE I'M SO INTO 1992 PROMO ONLY CD !!!!!!!🥰🥰❤❤🤍🤍❤❤👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑❤❤🤍🤍❤❤