Black Girl Songbook
Filed under:
When Stephanie Mills Thinks of “Home”
Danyel talks about the cultural significance of ‘The Wiz’ before being joined by Stephanie Mills to discuss her career and the impact of the classic Black girl anthem, "Home"
Filed under:
Black Girl Groups Are Always En Vogue
Danyel celebrates the magic of Black girl groups and questions why music has been missing them for so long
Filed under:
The Black Girl Genius of Mariah Carey
Plus, Marvet Britto, Carey’s former publicist, joins ‘Songbook’ to discuss Mariah’s contribution to music and her impact on culture
Filed under:
Donnie Simpson: The Golden Voice and R&B’s Golden Girls
The longtime host and DJ discusses his iconic interviews with music stars like Sade and Vesta Williams
Filed under:
Alpha Girl: Ella Mai
Ella Mai takes us through her journey as an artist, from sitting in her room in London releasing music via her social media pages through the moment her hit song ‘Boo’d Up’ broke wide open, to penning her latest project
Filed under:
'Shine Bright' Celebration
The ‘Black Girl Songbook’ community celebrates the release of host Danyel Smith’s new book, ‘Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.’ Jemele Hill, Danyel’s husband, and the podcast production team make cameos.
Filed under:
Let’s Hear It for the Boys
Danyel talks about the genius of Deniece Williams’s music and her timeless sound
Filed under:
Billie Holiday’s Love Is Here to Stay
Danyel also speaks about "male groupies" and Billie Holiday’s husband’s gross attempt to rewrite his part as a hero in the biopic ‘Lady Sings the Blues’
Filed under:
Donna Summer Deserves
Danyel discusses Ms. Summer and how American culture tried to kill the genre that she led
Filed under:
Day Dreaming on Aretha Franklin’s 80th Birthday
Danyel talks Aretha’s iconic voice and her persistent influence on artists and music in the ‘Black Girl Songbook’ Season 3 premiere
Filed under:
Jennifer Hudson: A Dreamgirl Gets Her ‘Respect’
Danyel welcomes Jennifer Hudson to show to discuss the process of grooming her acclaimed talent and the journey to playing the legendary Aretha Franklin in ‘Respect’
Filed under:
CeCe Winans’s Everlasting Love
Danyel Smith takes us all to church with none other than thee legend CeCe Winans, who discusses the power of gospel and her friendship with Whitney Houston
Filed under:
FOUR-EVER Brandy | Chapter 23
Danyel is joined by the talented songstress herself to discuss her hit show ‘Queens,’ her career behind the camera and the mic, the 24th anniversary of her role as Cinderella, and her one wish for her career as a young girl
Filed under:
Black Girl Songbook Hotline Part 2
Danyel talks about the genesis of her career as a journalist, her ultimate mixtape with artists of today, gushes over the genius of Erykah Badu, and drops gems and stories from her days at Vibe
Filed under:
Classic Black Girl TV Hosts With the Most
Danyel is joined by Free Marie, Ananda Lewis, Leslie "Big Lez" Segar, and Scottie Beam to discuss their personal journeys to four incredibly distinct careers within the culture
Filed under:
Songs 4 Us, by The-Dream
The-Dream joins the show to tell the stories behind four of his most genius music collaborations with Black women artists, share his admiration for Black women in music, and explain exactly why he loves writing music from a woman’s perspective
Filed under:
The Blue-Eyed Soul Black Girls Love
Plus, Danyel’s sister joins to discuss her Teena Marie fandom
Filed under:
Rihanna: She Found Love and Herself
Danyel celebrates 10 years of the pop star’s biggest hit
Filed under:
Angela Bofill: Living & Giving | Ch. 17
Danyel reminisces on her teenage years and talks about understanding the world through Angela Bofill’s soulful love songs
Filed under:
Beyoncé’s 40th Birthday Party
This week, Danyel celebrates the 40th birthday of Thee Beyoncé Knowles Carter with special guests Swizz Beatz and Sean Garrett
Filed under:
Aaliyah: Truly One in a Million
Danyel Smith kicks off the Season 2 premiere with an episode celebrating the life, music, and impact of the princess of R&B, Aaliyah, 20 years after her death
Filed under:
Black Girl Songbook: Season 2 Trailer
Danyel Smith is back to discuss Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Rihanna, and more
Filed under:
Tupac and Shock G’s Tour of a Black Planet, Feat. Chuck D
Danyel Smith looks back at one of hip-hop’s most influential tours
Filed under:
The Tupac You Didn’t Know, but I Did
Danyel Smith celebrates what would have been the 50th birthday of rap icon Tupac by revealing moments from her close friendship with him
Filed under:
For Her, By H.E.R.
Danyel Smith sits down with recent Academy Award winner H.E.R. to talk about the multi-instrumentalist’s music, cultural impact, influences, and more
Filed under:
Black Cover Girls Feat. Karyn White
Danyel examines what makes timeless songs desirable covers before Grammy nominee Karyn White joins to discuss her anthem "Superwoman"
Filed under:
Black Girl Songbook Hotline
Danyel Smith answers questions sent in by listeners from around the globe and gives her POV on Whitney Houston, Drake, Cardi B, and more
Filed under:
Beautiful Bliss Featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, Fefe Dobson, and Melanie Fiona
Danyel is joined by U.K. songstress Corinne Bailey Rae, Canadian hitmaker Fefe Dobson, and soul singer Melanie Fiona to discuss their struggles and triumphs in navigating areas they were told were not for them
Filed under:
Black California Girls, Featuring Anita Pointer and Cari Champion
From the girls to the warm weather, Danyel lays out why California is the best state and what makes it so special
Filed under:
Fallin’ in Love With Alicia Keys
Danyel details the beauty and strength of Alicia’s iconic first single, "Fallin,’" before diving into Alicia’s backstory with her former creative partner and manager, Jeanine McLean-Williams
Filed under:
Chapter 6: The Diss-Education of Lauryn Hill, Feat. Angela Yee and MC Lyte
Danyel explains why "Lost Ones" by Lauryn Hill is the greatest diss record of all time, Angela Yee from The Breakfast Club joins to talk about growing up with Lauryn, and more. Then, MC Lyte checks in to give her POV on being a diss track legend.
Filed under:
Chapter 5: Natalie Cole, More Than “This Will Be”
Danyel details how Natalie Cole persevered through challenging obstacles to become a legend and how she fought through the shadows of heavy hitters like Aretha Franklin and her father, Nat King Cole