Billy Porter is getting back to his true love.
The Tony Award and Grammy Award winning star of Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” may be enjoying a new wave of success with his gender-bending, envelope-pushing red carpet appearances, but he has new music out for the masses.
On Thursday, Porter released a new single in honor of Pride month titled “Love Yourself” via the Butler Music Company, Inc.
“Always remember who you are…” the Pittsburgh native bellows a capella in the introduction of the up-tempo and inspirational thumper, produced by transgender singer/songwriter D. Smith, who won a Grammy Award for writing on Lil’ Wayne’s 2008 album “The Carter III” and later starred on the Mona Scott Young-produced popular realty series “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” in 2015.
“I’m thrilled to be spreading the message of self-love to my community whose humanity and worth have been up for legislation for way too long,” Porter said.
“On this 50th anniversary of Stonewall I’m proud to unite with my LGBTQ brothers and sisters to remind the world that we’re here and we ain’t goin’ nowhere. Love always wins!”
The Stonewall riots Porter referenced sparked the Gay Pride Movement in New York City in 1969 after police raided and clashed with gay patrons at the Stonewall Inn.
On June 6, the New York Police Department apologized for their shameful involvement in the cultural flashpoint.
Porter stars on FX’s “Pose,” the Ryan Murphy series celebrating New York City’s underground ballroom culture of the late 1980s, which premiered its second season this week. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama earlier this year.
In an interview with” Billboard,” the openly gay performer said “Love Yourself” is going to be a part of his upcoming album.
“Well, ultimately it’s going to be a part of a project. My goal is to sort of reenter mainstream R&B and soul music by next year. By this time next year, I hope to be releasing the album that’s connected to this song,” he said.
Porter has appeared in the Broadway musicals “Miss Saigon,” “Grease” and “Smokey Joe’s Café.”
His recordings include the original version of “Love Is On The Way,” which became a huge pop hit for Celine Dion, after he recorded it in 1996.
2014’s “Billy’s Back on Broadway” featured his take on pop standards and show tunes popularized by Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Ethel Merman and Barbra Streisand.
Porter will co-host the telecast of New York City’s Pride March on ABC in addition to serving as one of the grand marshals with his “Pose” co-stars on June 30.
