We are both proud and excited to announce the forthcoming release of a new single from The Shapeshifters featuring Billy Porter on Glitterbox Recordings. A label debut for the inimitable Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer, actor, director, composer and playwright, ‘Finally Ready’ will be released digitally during Pride month, on Friday 26th June.
The Shapeshifters’ studio mastery and dedication to his craft has resulted in singles that stand up alongside golden era disco records as much as they sound fresh on dancefloors today. The Shapeshifters’ rich relationship with Glitterbox has previously yielded instant classics like ‘Try My Love’ and ‘Life Is A Dancefloor’, tracks that lyrically and musically epitomise the label’s ethos, preserving disco’s mission to uplift and empower. The message behind the music is that no matter where you come from, on the dancefloor there’s acceptance and hope. Nothing could be clearer in ‘Finally Ready’, The Shapeshifters’ first collaboration with Billy Porter. Co-written by Billy, ‘Finally Ready’ is a declaration of Pride, of breaking free from past traumas to take a chance on love. Motivated by his personal journey through the AIDs crisis and the emotional scars that left him with, Billy had this to say about his inspiration for the song:
“Finally Ready” hits on so many levels for me. First, being ‘finally ready’ to experience what real love is. And thankfully, I have somebody who loves me enough to love me through trauma, to be present, and allow me to grow, into this. I’m also ‘finally ready’ to be who I am, who I’ve always been. It has been a rough road, I’ve been through so many changes, but I always kept the faith and now I’m here. And lastly, I’ve made a lot of different kinds of music – R&B, show tunes, ballads. But it should come as no surprise to anyone at all that disco is in my blood! I love to feel sparkly and have that light shine back into the audience. So, yes, I am ‘finally ready’ to make a classic disco record. And I am so very lucky and blessed to be working with the best in the business, Defected, Glitterbox, and The Shapeshifters. Now, let’s dance!” - Billy Porter
In his signature style, The Shapeshifters’ cinematic strings and live horns give a suitably theatrical backdrop to Billy’s unmistakably powerful voice. Expertly crafted and brimming with emotion, the joyful message of ‘Finally Ready’ rings true through Billy’s lyrics, ready to create unforgettable dancefloor moments for years to come.
“The last three years has been all about refocusing on what I love, producing original contemporary dancefloor moments filled with drama and positivity. So when the opportunity to work with Billy Porter came along, I knew it was another moment to bring that all together to create something special.” - Simon Marlin, The Shapeshifters
‘Finally Ready’ is out on Glitterbox Recordings on 26th June. The Shapeshifters & Billy Porter will be debuting ‘Finally Ready’ during the Glitterbox Virtual Festival on Friday, 15th May. Stream here.
