Maroon 5 member and solo artist PJ Morton rejects notions of conformity in the music business with his new single, “Claustrophobic.” In the visuals for the song, which premiered on Billboard on Friday, Mar. 24, PJ is stuck on an elevator as more and more people crowd into the small space, giving him advice on what to do with his career, critiquing his look, and even questioning his street cred.
PJ explained both his inspiration behind the song and the video in a statement to Billboard ahead of the premiere:
“I wrote this song while feeling like I was being smothered by everyone else’s opinions,” Morton tells Billboard. “I was starting to lose myself and this was my song to fight back. It’s the anthem for all the dreamers who may not fit in.”
The video concept came to Morton a couple of years ago. “I wanted it all to be shot in an elevator where it would continue to get more and more packed. It was my take on how my brain kept getting more and more filled with others’ ideas and opinions.”
“Claustrophobic” is the first single off of PJ’s upcoming album, “Gumbo,” which goes on sale April 21. The LP features appearances by BJ The Chicago Kid, Pell and The HamilTones (backup singing group for singer Anthony Hamilton).
Check out Claustrophobic below:
