Morgan Simpson
Morgan Simpson | |
|---|---|
Simpson performing with Black Midi in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Morgan Simpson October 29, 1998 |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Label | Rough Trade |
| Formerly of | Black Midi |
Morgan Simpson (born 29 October 1998) is an English drummer best known for his work with south London band Black Midi. The group were a part of British rock music's Windmill scene.[1]
Early life
Simpson started playing drums when he was two years old.[2] He grew up listening to gospel artists Fred Hammonds, Kirk Franklin and Richard Smallwood, as well as soul singers Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.[3] When he was 15, Simpson won the prestigious Young Drummer of the Year 2014 competition.[4] He started attending the BRIT School at age 16, where he met future bandmates Geordie Greep, Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin and Cameron Picton.[5]
Career
Black Midi started playing shows at The Windmill in Brixton, South London, in 2017. After a later show at The Windmill, the group would find themselves approached by record producer Dan Carey, with whom they would record their debut single, "bmbmbm".[6][7] The band were signed by Rough Trade in early 2019 and would release their debut album, Schlagenheim, in June.[8] Black Midi released two more albums before splitting up in 2024.[9] Simpson worked with jazz musician Nala Sinephro and rapper Little Simz, appearing on their albums Endlessness (2024) and Lotus (2025) respectively.
Discography
with Black Midi
- Schlagenheim (2019)
- Cavalcade (2021)
- Hellfire (2022)
with other artists
- "Mixed Messages" - Rosie Alena (2019)
- Loggerhead - Wu-Lu (2022)
- Gentle Confrontation - Loraine James (2023) ("I DM U")
- Hymn for My Dad - Finn Carter (2024)
- Dos Atomos - Dos Monos (2024) ("HI NO TORI", "ATOM")
- Endlessness - Nala Sinephro (2024) ("Continuum 1")
- The New Sound - Geordie Greep (2024) ("Blues", "Walk Up", "Motorbike")
- Lotus - Little Simz (2025) ("Enough")
- Once Upon a Time... in Shropshire - Jerskin Fendrix (2025)
References
- ^ Read, Kieran (23 June 2020). "'There's a complete fearlessness to them': Inside the raucous new south London guitar scene". Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Nylander, Lynette. "Crossed Paths: Morgan Simpson". The Face. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ "Black Midi Revel In Their Anti-Pop Proclivities". RANGE. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ "Morgan Simpson, Soultone Artist, Wins Young Drummer of the Year 2014 | ADS Drums". 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ "Morgan Simpson – Liberty Drums – Largest Boutique Drum Company in the UK". Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ Lowe, Catherine (17 June 2019). "How London's Black Midi Embraced Improvisation on Debut Album 'Schlagenheim'". Billboard.
- ^ Patterson·Features·, Ian (17 May 2019). "Black Midi – Album Launch And Surprise Intimate Gig – God Is In The TV".
- ^ Lowe, Catherine (2019-06-17). "How London's Black Midi Embraced Improvisation on Debut Album 'Schlagenheim'". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (2024-08-12). "Black Midi Go on Hiatus as Geordie Greep Says Band Is "Indefinitely Over"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-03-20.