Sam Smith and Madonna announce new single ‘Vulgar’

After a week of teasing a new collab, Sam Smith and Madonna have finally confirmed both the title and the release date of their impending new single together.

‘Vulgar’ will be released on Friday, June 9. Madonna’s announcement revealed the artwork for the single, featuring a split image of a black and white cinched corset, with Smith and Madonna’s initials–S&M–in hot pink superimposed over the photo.

Smith’s announcement for the single featured a teaser of the song, featuring dramatic instrumentals and heavy drums and Smith and Madonna whispering their names, from last week’s teaser.

“VULGAR…………. new song out Friday June 9th @samsmith,” Madonna wrote in her caption.

Smith’s Manchester gig abruptly ended

The single was first teased a week ago when Smith released a short clip of Smith and Madonna whispering their names in a looping audio.

That same day, Smith, who uses they/them pronouns, announced that they would have a special surprise for fans at their Manchester gig, and that ‘Unholy’ wouldn’t be the last song that night.

“Manchester we’ve got a surprise for you this evening. Unholy won’t be the last song…” they wrote in the caption of their Instagram stories at the time.

But during Smith’s Manchester show, Smith began experiencing vocal issues, causing them to abruptly end their show after performing only four songs. It was later confirmed that they had sustained vocal cord injuries.

“I noticed something wrong with my voice,” Smith later said in a statement to fans on Instagram. “I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.

“I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t. I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry x.”

Smith recently covered one of Madonna’s songs

Last month at their show in London, Smith covered Madonna’s 1994 hit ‘Human Nature’, while wearing pasties, fishnets, and knee-high boots.

Prior to this, Madonna presented Smith and Kim Petras before their performance of ‘Unholy’ at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

“Are you ready for a little controversy?” Madonna asked the crowd before the controversial devil-themed performance.

“If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely onto something,” Madonna said of the duo.

They later won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy Award.