Billy Porter Releases Anticipated New Single ‘Baby Was a Dancer’

On March 24, Grammy, Emmy, and twice Tony award-winning singer, composer, director, author, actor, and playwright Billy Porter released his highly anticipated new single “Baby Was a Dancer,” the first track from his upcoming pop album, Black Mona Lisa.

According to the multi-hyphenate artist, “‘Baby Was a Dancer’ is me, in the third person, telling the story of the trajectory of leaning into my authenticity. Growing up queer, growing up Black, growing up in the church, there was a lot of pushback in terms of my authenticity. To talk about yourself, to have the language and the audacity to know one’s place and intention on this planet.”

“I want people to feel encouraged and inspired and motivated to step out into the world free from all the chains that bind—from all the stuff that comes at us from other people, other directions, other organizations, whatever it is—whatever the things are that bring us down,” Porter continues. “I want this song to set folks free. There’s a joy in it. There’s a celebratory nature in it that I love. And I’m just excited to spread that kind of message.”

A Broadway veteran, Porter is best known for originating the role of Lola in the Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots and starring as Pray Tell in all three seasons of the hit FX television series Pose.

He began his music career in 1997 with the release of his self-titled, debut album, which spawned the Top 10 “Bubbling Under” single, “Show Me,” and the monster ballad, “Love Is On The Way,” which appeared at the pivotal moment in the film First Wives Club.

Beginning April 29, Porter will tour the country for six weeks with his first-ever pop music concert tour, The Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume 1, which will stop at Denver’s Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre on May 2. Equipped with a full band and backed by a video installation, this 90-minute powerhouse event will feature his chart-topping hits, a tinge of Broadway, a nod to Pose, and stunning performances of future pop classics from his forthcoming album.

“It’s really the first time that I’ve been able to fully express myself and who I am through my music,” he says about the tour. “Through my mainstream pop music space. It’s like my magnum opus. It’s everything to me. You’ll really get a glimpse into who I am even deeper with this music.”

Visit theebillyporter.com to purchase tickets for The Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume 1, and connect with Porter by following him on all forms of social media. “Baby Was a Dancer” is now available on all music streaming platforms.