Singer-songwriter-actor Paloma Faith explains how her mum raised her as an ‘unconventional only child’ which only goes part-way to explain her creatively diverse life. Paloma and Gregory met face-to-face, pre-pandemic, at Universal Music’s HQ to share tales of complicated relationships with their fathers, career insecurities and the joy of discovering jazz and theatre. It was here that the seeds of a future collaboration were planted, as Paloma makes good on her plan to duet with Gregory in 2020, resulting in their recent track Christmas Prayer.

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Childlike curiosity is at the heart of Jacob Collier’s music as the Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist explains the importance of keeping that sense of wonder and fearlessness. Jacob believes that’s key to connecting emotionally in music but, like many of us, has struggled with some of those connections over zoom in 2020. There’s talk of the joy and the surreal of Grammy ceremonies as well as what it’s like when the legendary Quincy Jones enters your creative life.

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Earth, Wind & Fire singer-songwriter Philip Bailey digs deep into his past to uncover the roots of his creativity. Raised by women, Philip recalls being inspired by female singers such as Dionne Warwick, whose influence can be heard in his distinctive falsetto. Recorded in the summer of 2020, moments of raw grief are exposed as Gregory confronts the recent death of his brother to Covid-19, and they muse on the healing powers of music.

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Determination, hard work and talent have created much success for Gary Barlow, but for years he kept moving, without stopping to properly enjoy it. Gary tells Gregory about how it was only a few years ago that he woke up to that, changed his outlook, and what he’s learnt in doing so. They share tales of touring, songwriting and family and why it’s so important to appreciate life, even the jagged edges.

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Love, loss and living are on the agenda as John Legend unpicks his roots and the experiences that have shaped his life so far. John and Gregory catch up from their respective homes in California days after Joe Biden has been declared the President-elect of the United States; they reflect on a divided country and the need to defend democracy. Plus, they share tales of music, family, hope and the strength to overcome grief in a year that’s brought sorrow for so many.

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Brittany Howard opens up about why she’s always felt as if she were an outsider. Speaking to Gregory from Nashville, they share tales of loss and discrimination and what you do when it seems as if you simply don’t fit in. A musical trailblazer, Brittany shakes off any preconceptions about who others think she should be, and instead, tells them who she is.

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Hoooooold! Gregory kicks off S2 with his friend and collaborator Howard Lawrence of Disclosure. They unravel the mystery of where tunes originate, needing to walk barefoot in nature and hanging out with Sam Smith. Brotherly love runs deep for both Gregory and Howard; they discuss holding on to that sibling relationship, as Gregory shares the pain of recently losing his brother to Covid-19.

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You’re all invited as Gregory Porter hangs out with famous friends, old and new, to pull on the musical and creative threads that join us all together. From sharing the love of those songs that get right to your soul, to the joy and pain of parenthood and family, or facing down discrimination and channelling that energy into something good. Recorded on the road, or remotely from his home in Bakersfield, California, crossing time zones and continents, these are conversations to inspire. Join Gregory for The Hang. Bring it in! 

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Season 1 finale! Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross come up early in the conversation between Gregory and singer Celeste, as they meet on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Influences of the greats loom large as the pair also share the influence of their parents and grandparents on the voices they now share with the world through music. Navigating the tricky waters of putting relationships into a song come up for discussion, as does the joy (or not) of that oh-so-British roast dinner favourite, Yorkshire pudding. Yum. 

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Global DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson has been sharing his passion for music ever since that fateful day when he threw out his train set in the shed, and installed turntables instead. Over a cup of tea in Cheltenham, he and Gregory swap stories of soul and jazz, from joyful moments of 12-hour DJ sets in Japan, to preserving mental health on tour. Their common ground is the search for a sound to dance to, and how the perfect combination of songs can elevate all those listening. 

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