The highly anticipated Barbie soundtrack has finally arrived, and it comes packed with star-studded singles from some of the biggest names in the industry. Among these tracks, there is one that stands out not only as the gayest on the album but also as the gayest release yet from one of the most popular queer artists in the world: Sam Smith.
Titled “Man I Am,” the latest focus track from the Barbie album is an electrifying electro-pop hit in the making, perfect for lighting up summer dance floors and igniting parties in Fire Island. With production handled by the talented duo Mark Ronson and Ricky Reed, the song boasts an excellent musical arrangement that complements its vibrant and catchy vibe.
But it’s the lyrics of “Man I Am” that truly shine and make this song an absolute must-listen for all LGBTQ fans. Sam Smith fearlessly embraces innuendos and sensual imagery throughout the track, showcasing a level of confidence and boldness that has become a hallmark of their recent releases.
Lines like “This one is for the boys / With your greased up and heavy metal toys / So beefed up, you can’t get through the door” and “See, I’m the groove catcher, hottest thing / Six-pack and tight G-string” are just a glimpse of the playful and daring nature of the song’s lyrics.
“No, I’m not gay, bro / But I’ve been on that lay low” may be the campiest high point for the cut, and it’s hilarious to hear Smith sing these words. This clever and cheeky play on stereotypes challenges societal norms and celebrates self-expression and authenticity. The track’s infectious energy and unashamedly queer lyrics create an atmosphere of fun and excitement, perfectly in line with the spirit of a song created for the Barbie movie.
“Man I Am” joins a string of successful hits from the Barbie soundtrack, including Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and Aqua’s “Barbie World,” and Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” The album has already proven to be a hit among fans globally, and it’s still just getting started.
Smith has been very busy throughout 2023, releasing a series of hit singles while promoting their most recent album, Gloria, which debuted earlier in the year. They also collaborated with the legendary Madonna for “Vulgar,” a sex-driven tune that was trying to be a controversial club banger, but which fell short.
Fans can look forward to more music from Smith as they prepare to release another track, “Desire,” in collaboration with Calvin Harris. Although the release date has yet to be announced, the news of this collaboration broke weeks ago, so it could arrive at any moment.
Love ran deep last night between Bad Bunny and his fans, who filled the Capital One Arena from the floor up to the championship banners. The crowd’s passion for the artist and his music was punctuated with the roar of recognition that greeted the first notes of every single song.
Deafening screams greeted Bad Bunny, too, as he made his entrance rising from beneath the stage to a live orchestra playing the Bond-style overture of “Nadie Sabe,” the opening track on the rapper-singer’s latest LP, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (No one knows what will happen tomorrow).
Kyle Griffin’s first foray into the world of news was serving as the anchor for his high school’s morning announcements program. But the then-teenager quickly realized that being an on-air personality was not for him.
“I saw at my local NBC affiliate that while the anchors and reporters were great, they were reading someone else’s words, and I wanted to be the person who wrote those words,” says Griffin. “I wanted to write the news.”
Griffin got his wish. A veteran of Seven Network Limited, NBC News Yahoo!, and the Albany, New York-based NBC affiliate WNYT, he’s currently the executive producer of MSNBC’s The Weekend, the network’s Saturday and Sunday morning news show, which launched earlier this year.
This time last year, none of us had ever heard the word Barbenheimer. Barbie, listed in our 2023 spring movie preview, and Oppenheimer, which was not, had yet to assert their primacy over the year's box office and pop culture conversation.
Few conceived those two films would spark a phenomenon that rippled through media, fashion, merchandising, music, and awards show after awards show after awards show.
After all the hype and hot takes, red carpet looks, historic victories and milestones, the Barbenheimer convo only really finally abated with the Oscar wins that shuffled Barbie, Ken, and Oppy off the stage in March, ushering cinema into the spring/summer season.
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