The Maroon 5 keyboardist and two-time Grammy Award-winning artist plays an exclusive performance off his fourth studio album, "Gumbo," for "Salon Stage."

R&B artist PJ Morton has won two Grammy Award for his R&B songs in both 2018 and 2019. As the son of a preacher, Morton's gospel New Orleans roots typically play a significant role in his songwriting. During the 2016 election, however, religion made its way into his music in a different, critical way, he revealed to Salon.

"When the campaign was going on I noticed that the evangelicals, particularly white evangelicals, were really behind Trump," Morton said. "It brought me back even to, not to get heavy, but like slavery times even when the Bible was used to enslave people. And I just know that God has nothing to do with that." Morton realized those feelings in his song "Religion," which he performed for "Salon Stage."

Even in dark political times there's plenty to be thankful for, according to Morton. "A lot of times things have to get worse before they get better right? So I think Trump's only bringing us together and making us see the value in each other even more," he said.

Morton also remains focused on activism and investing in the future of New Orleans music scene. He founded Morton Records, a label focused on fostering the next generation of New Orleans' music professionals and artists. His goal is to implement a template laid out by the famous "Motown Records" label, which focused on giving a platform for local artists in Detroit. Watch the clip above to hear Morton perform "Religion" from his Grammy-nominated album "Gumbo."