Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento and was raised in Bakersfield, California, where his mother was a minister. A 1989 graduate of Highland High School, he received a "full-ride" (tuition, books, medical coverage, and living expenses) athletic scholarship as a football lineman to San Diego State University (SDSU Aztecs), but a shoulder injury during his junior year cut short his football career.[3] At the age of 21, Porter lost his mother to cancer, but only after she entreated him from her death bed: "Sing, baby, sing!"
Porter moved to the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 2004, along with his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at Lloyd's restaurant Bread-Stuy (now defunct), where he also performed. Porter performed at other neighborhood venues including Sista's Place and Solomon's Porch, and moved on to Harlem club St. Nick's Pub, where he maintained a weekly residency. Out of this residency evolved what would become Porter's touring band.[4]
Porter released two albums on the Motéma label together with Membran Entertainment Group, 2010's Water and 2012's Be Good, before signing with Blue Note Records (under Universal Music Group) on May 17, 2013. His third album, Liquid Spirit, was released on September 2, 2013, in Europe and on September 17, 2013, in the US.[5] The album was produced by Brian Bacchus.[6] The album won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.[7]
Liquid Spirit enjoyed commercial success rarely achieved by albums in the jazz genre, reaching the top 10 on the UK album charts. It was certified gold by the BPI, selling over 100,000 units in the UK.[8]
In August 2014 Porter released "The 'In' Crowd" as a single.[9] On May 9, 2015 Porter participated in VE Day 70: A Party to Remember, a televised commemorative concert from Horse Guards Parade in London, singing "As Time Goes By".[10]
His fourth album, Take Me to the Alley, was released on May 6, 2016.[11] In UK's The Guardian it was Alexis Petridis's album of the week.[12]
On June 26, 2016, Porter performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival 2016. Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick said, "The portly middle-aged jazzer may be the oddest pop star on the planet but he is a refreshing testament to the notion that the most important organ for musical appreciation should always be our ears. And Porter has one of the most easy-on-the-ear voices in popular music, a creamy baritone that flows thick and smooth across a rich gateaux of juicy melody. It's a voice that makes you want to lick your lips and dive right in."[13]
In September 2016 Porter performed at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park from Hyde Park, London. He would go on to perform in the annual BBC Children in Need show in November, a night dedicated to Sir Terry Wogan, who hosted it in previous years and was a fan of Porter.[14]
In January 2017 Porter performed the song "Holding On" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show.[15] In September 2017 he performed as part of the Later... with Jools Holland: Later 25 concert at the Royal Albert Hall.[16]
In October 2017 he performed the song "Mona Lisa" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show with Jeff Goldblum on piano.[17]
Bling Bling
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And so poor in everything that makes love matter
I've got gifts to give
But no place for those gifts to live
Rob from always on the run dot net is so bad and copy paste is a sin
Like diamond hearts and golden dreams
My song is just like bling bling
And so poor in everything that makes love matter
I've got gifts to give
But no place for those gifts to live
I've been dimissed by those who like cream on top of cream
I scream, bling bling
I am so rich in love
And so poor in everything that makes love matter
I've got gifts to give
But no place for those gifts to live
Like diamond hearts and golden dreams
My song is just like bling bling
I am so rich in love
And so poor in everything that makes love matter
I've got gifts to give
But no place for those gifts to live
I've been dimissed by those who like cream on top of cream
I scream, bling bling
In Gregory Porter's song Bling Bling, the singer finds himself in a paradoxical situation where he is rich in love but poor in everything that makes love matter. The song deals with the themes of materialism and the superficiality of society. The lyrics, "I've got gifts to give, but no place for those gifts to live" suggest that the singer has a lot of love to give, but there is no one to receive it. The line, "Rob from always on the run dot net is so bad and copy paste is a sin" is a reference to the illegal downloading of music, suggesting that the value of music is being diminished by piracy and the ease of copy-pasting culture.
The chorus, "Like diamond hearts and golden dreams, my song is just like bling bling" is an ironic statement that suggests that even though the singer's love is rich and valuable, it is being treated as something superficial and materialistic, like a piece of jewelry. The repetition of "I am so rich in love, and so poor in everything that makes love matter" highlights the singer's feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction, despite having an abundance of love to give.
Line by Line Meaning
I am so rich in love
Despite not having much material wealth, I have an abundance of love in my life.
And so poor in everything that makes love matter
Unfortunately, love isn't enough to sustain a romantic relationship. Other important factors are lacking in my life.
I've got gifts to give
I possess the ability to offer love and kindness to those around me.
But no place for those gifts to live
However, I struggle to find meaningful connections or relationships where I can share my love and gifts.
Like diamond hearts and golden dreams
My aspirations and desires are grand, but they may be difficult or impossible to achieve in reality.
My song is just like bling bling
My music may be flashy or superficial, lacking substance or deeper meaning.
I've been dismissed by those who like cream on top of cream
Some people prioritize superficial beauty and wealth over true emotional connection, and have rejected me for not meeting those standards.
I scream, bling bling
I am expressing my frustration and sadness about feeling like I am not enough without material wealth or superficial qualities.
Contributed by Stella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.