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]
Musical Genocide
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, musical genocide
I will not commit, nor will I submit
To, musical genocide
This is not for me, I won't let it be
No, musical genocide
Give me a blues song, tell the world what's wrong
And the gospel singer, giving those messages of love
Woah, and the soul man, with your heart in the palm of his hand
Singing his stories of love and pain, woah
I do not agree
I do not agree, this is not for me
No, musical genocide
I will not commit, nor will I submit
To, musical genocide
This is not for me, I won't let it be
No, musical genocide
Give me a blues song, tell the world what's wrong
And what about the gospel singer, heavenly messages of love
And woah, and the soul man, with your heart in his hands
Singing his stories of love and pain, woah
I do not agree
I do not agree, I do not agree, no
Hey
I do not agree, this is not for me
Come on come on come on come on come on people
Come on
The lyrics of Gregory Porter's "Musical Genocide" speak against the music industry's current trends and the music that is being produced, labeling it "musical genocide." Porter communicates his disapproval of this generic and formulaic music, stating that he will not commit nor submit to it. Instead, he yearns for music that tells stories, such as blues or gospel, rather than music that is focused solely on profit. The lyrics suggest that artists should express their raw emotions and genuine experiences, rather than catering to commercial success.
The reference to various music genres such as blues, gospel, and soul highlights Porter's respect for those musical forms that originate from African American culture. Not only does he appreciate their cultural background, but he also values them as musical genres that convey stories through their lyrics. Through his message, Porter intends to inspire artists to produce music that is true to themselves and their own experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I do not agree, this is not for me
I do not support the concept of musical genocide and it does not appeal to me personally.
No, musical genocide
I am not in favor of wiping out certain genres or styles of music.
I will not commit, nor will I submit
To, musical genocide
I refuse to participate in any attempts to erase certain types of music or force conformity in the music industry.
This is not for me, I won't let it be
No, musical genocide
I reject any notion of musical genocide and will not stand for it.
Give me a blues song, tell the world what's wrong
I appreciate the expression of emotion and social critique in blues music.
And the gospel singer, giving those messages of love
I value the uplifting and inspiring messages of love conveyed in gospel music.
Woah, and the soul man, with your heart in the palm of his hand
Singing his stories of love and pain, woah
I admire the soulful storytelling of musicians who bear their souls in their music, conveying both love and pain.
Hey
I do not agree, this is not for me
Come on come on come on come on come on people
Come on
I strongly oppose the notion of musical genocide and urge others to reject it as well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind