By Hugh McIntyre on July 11, 2023 @popbanghugh

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.
By John Riley on August 26, 2026 @JRileyMW
Dolly Parton, the beloved singer-songwriter, actress, and longtime LGBTQ ally, has died at age 80.
Parton's nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to her Instagram account.
"My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I'm representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next," Seaver said in the video.
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it 'til now," Seaver continued.
By John Riley on September 30, 2026 @JRileyMW
Leon's of Baltimore, a gay bar in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood, and its adjacent sister bar, Leon's Backroom, will reopen today, September 30, after abruptly closing earlier this year.
Known as Baltimore's oldest gay bar, Leon's has operated since the 1950s. It last opened its doors on July 15 for a special shift before temporarily closing following the death of longtime owner Ron Singer.
Before closing, the bars operated seven days a week, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and touted never charging a cover on their website. Leon's and Leon's Backroom -- with entrances on Park Avenue and Chase Street -- regularly hosted karaoke nights, drag shows, bingo nights, and viewing parties, and offered daily happy hour drink specials from 4 to 9 p.m.
By Hugh McIntyre on August 30, 2026 @popbanghugh
Whenever a major star dies, social media quickly becomes oversaturated with people sharing their connection to that person. If it’s a musician, they may share their special love for one song that changed their life, the album that got them through a difficult period, a concert they’ll never forget or, for the lucky ones, the time they actually got to meet the superstar.
When I heard about Dolly Parton’s death, I did the same thing. I, of course, found a way to make it about myself. Or, put another way, I thought back to one very exciting moment in my life that connected me to the singer -- one that almost didn’t happen.
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