Panorama October 2020

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POP

SPREAD DESIGN BY DOMENIC FENOGLIO

USING HER Senior Morgan Taylor performs her music around St. Louis DOMENIC FENOGLIO

composed by John Legend and Common for the movie “Selma”) at protests around the area, including a police brutality protest held by Donovan this past summer.

“I feel like I can sing with passion with [“Glory”] beenior Morgan Taylor’s powerful voice resonates cause it’s something that relates to me and other African clearly through the air as she effortlessly commands Americans,” Morgan said. “The song is so important the stage with a swagger reminiscent of her role because it’s expressing what we need as an African-Amermodels: Beyonce and Rhianna. Her performance Oct. 10 ican community.” at Blue Dine and Lounge took place in front of hundreds Braylon echoes Morgan’s message with regards to racial of fans at a personal showcase organized to highlight her inequality in present-day America. The siblings have musical talent. continued to perform “Glory” at protests over 30 times, Taylor has been singing in front of audiences since spanning multiple years, yet the message and issues they she was only 9 years old, when her grandmother recogface still remain the same. nized her talent and helped inspire her to perform for her “Because the same thing hapchurch. In the time since, Taylor has pens over and over, it hits people opened for artists such as Ginuwine the same way every time that they and Brian Mcknight; became a finalhear it,” Braylon said. “Things keep ist in the 2018 St. Louis Teen Talent “People say I have two different happening that show [society] is a Competition held by the Fox, receivsides. When I talk in front of hierarchy and we’re at the bottom ing the opportunity to take the stage people, I’m just shy, and then of the hierarchy, and we feel that we in front of over a thousand people; when I get on stage I’m a whole should all be equal.” and released her first EP (extended different person.”

In addition to performing with play) at only 11 years old. her brother, Taylor’s personal “It honestly makes me so happy MORGAN TAYLOR | SENIOR success in music has helped her to to hear her sing because I know develop a confident stage presence, she’s doing what she loves,” senior something that eludes her in other Lauryn Donovan, who attended Taylor’s concert Oct. 10, said. “I can definitely say that I’ve aspects of her life. While she may feel timid in the classroom or in public, as soon as she takes hold of a microcried at a performance or two of hers because her voice is phone, Taylor radiates an aura of fearlessness. just so beautiful.”

“People say I have two different sides,” Taylor said.

The lyrics of Taylor’s songs are written to inspire her “When I am talking in front of people, I’m just shy, and listeners, primarily fellow teenagers. As a young woman, then when I get on stage I’m a whole different person. I Taylor realizes her unique perspective on the human exhave no idea [why].” perience and shares that perspective in a recently released Taylor hopes to attend Berklee College of Music in song, “Lullaby.”

Boston next fall. She looks to continue her musical career “That one was mainly about self worth as a young lady through developing her voice and possibly teaching young — as a woman,” Taylor said. “We’re in high school right children about music one day. She has already taught one now, and some of us are in relationships. Sometimes, it student — her brother — who sees a bright future for could be a toxic relationship, [and] it’s not it for you. You should have the self confidence and self worth to tell your- Taylor after learning from her for years.

“She actually inspired me to want to write my own muself ‘this is not it’ and ‘you need to get yourself out of it.’” sic,” Braylon said. “She really introduced me to the world Strong emotions also serve as inspiration for the spirit in Taylor’s voice. After the shooting of 18-year-old Michael of music. [Her career] will go as far as she wants, but if she really takes it seriously and works hard, I feel she could be Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., Taylor and her one of the biggest singers in the world.” p brother, Braylon Taylor, began singing “Glory” (originally associate editor

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