Sam Smith has been on a roll lately with a string of exciting releases and an exhilarating tour that has captivated thousands of fans. And now, the wait for new music from this superstar is about to get even shorter. Smith has just announced their upcoming single, “Man I Am,” which will be featured on the highly anticipated Barbie soundtrack.
Taking to social media, Smith excitedly shared the news of their latest single. “Man I Am” is set to debut on Friday, July 21, coinciding with the album’s full release and the worldwide premiere of the Barbie film.
Smith’s inclusion on the Barbie soundtrack was initially shrouded in anticipation. The tracklisting for the album was revealed weeks ago, but two spots were deliberately left empty, generating excitement among fans as to who those artists might be. The final two spaces were reserved for two major musicians, and the recent announcement of Billie Eilish as one of the featured artists further heightened the anticipation. Eilish’s single, “What Was I Made For?,” is set to drop on Friday, July 13.
Joining an all-star lineup on the Barbie soundtrack, Smith will share the spotlight with esteemed artists such as Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Dua Lipa, The Kid Laroi, and Ava Max, among others. Lipa and Minaj have already released their songs, while the majority of the rest of the tunes have yet to come out.
“Man I Am” marks Smith’s latest single release in 2023, following the highly anticipated arrival of their fourth album, Gloria, in January. The full-length was met with praise from fans and critics alike. Since the beginning of the year, Smith has been steadily releasing hit after hit, including a collaboration with Koffee and Jessie Reyez on “Gimme” and their own “I’m Not Here to Make Friends.” Last month, they surprised fans with “Vulgar,” a collaboration with pop icon Madonna.
Notably, “Man I Am” is not only set to be featured on the Barbie soundtrack, but it will also be included in the film itself. This dual exposure presents an exciting opportunity for Smith, as the song could potentially be eligible for consideration in the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards. Smith is no stranger to this accolade, having won the prestigious award in 2015 for their track “Writing’s on the Wall” from the James Bond film Spectre.
On July 23, artist Chappell Roan took to Instagram to announce a trio of pop-up shows in support of her new single, "The Subway." In the same post, the sapphic singer revealed that a portion of ticket proceeds would benefit organizations serving the transgender community.
"e are giving $1 per ticket to organizations dedicated to supporting and providing resources for trans youth in each city <3," wrote Roan.
Roan's charitable gesture sparked mixed reactions on social media -- and not solely from the usual anti-trans voices on the far right.
Back in May, just after our 31st anniversary, I asked readers which of four classic cover interviews from our early years they'd like to see in print again: Greg Louganis (March 9, 1995), Sir Ian McKellen (Jan. 25, 1996), Camille Paglia (Feb. 1, 1996), or Eartha Kitt (Nov. 14, 1996). None of these conversations exist online, and they haven't been seen since their original print dates.
Out of more than 200 responses, 8% chose Paglia, 27% picked Louganis, 29% went for McKellen, and an impressive 36% cast their vote for Kitt.
Kitt, who passed away in December 2008, seemed a fitting choice to revisit. A pop culture icon for her turn as the second Catwoman (following Julie Newmar) on the late-1960s, camp-classic TV series Batman, she was slated to appear at Washington's legendary jazz nightclub Blues Alley when we spoke.
"It was kind of confusing," David Archuleta says, recalling the time roughly 16 years ago when he was first asked to write a memoir. "What am I supposed to talk about? I'm 18 years old, and I feel like I'm just starting my journey, and you want me to write a memoir now?"
That memoir, Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance, was written by Archuleta with Monica Haim and published by an imprint of Penguin Group in 2010. He was barely an adult at the time, and it had only been two years since he competed on American Idol, becoming the season seven runner-up.
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