Black Girl Songbook

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Latest Episodes:

When Stephanie Mills Thinks of "Home" | Chapter 35 Jun 29, 2022

We’re closing out the third season of your ‘Black Girl Songbook’ by crowning the classic Black girl anthem, "Home", as the supreme track that it is, and paying homage to the timeless voice that sang it, Stephanie Mills. Danyel talks about the cultural significance of ‘The Wiz’ and its place in nearly every Black Girl’s adolescence, including Danyel’s own and countless other Black women in music. Later, Danyel is joined by Stephanie Mills to discuss her early years on Broadway and her career, as well as what "Home" meant to her as a teen and what the song means to her now.

Host: Danyel Smith

Guest: Stephanie Mills

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Black Girl Groups Are Always En Vogue | Chapter 34 Jun 15, 2022

In this week’s episode of Black Girl Songbook, host Danyel Smith is celebrating the magic of Black Girl groups and questioning why music has been missing them for so long. She explores the staying power of Destiny’s Child’s music, and the revolutionary fashion and boldness of TLC, which flipped the industry on its head. She talks about the power in hearing Black women’s voices in unison and the business of the music industry that can contribute to keeping voices apart. Plus, Danyel sits down with Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis of the legendary group En Vogue. They discuss what it was like to be a Black Girl group in their early years, and the industry’s response to it. They also reflect on the infectious energy and musicianship of Bay Area artists and the immense impact that had on them and their success.

Host: Danyel Smith

Guest: Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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The Black Girl Genius of Mariah Carey | Chapter 33 Jun 08, 2022

Numbers never lie, and Miss Mariah Carey’s numbers tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth! That’s right—on this episode of Black Girl Songbook, host Danyel Smith is honoring vocal genius Mariah Carey and her inspirational rise up the charts, second only to The Beatles for most no. 1 hits EVER. Danyel talks Mariah's timeless music, brilliant collaborations with hip-hop artists, and her Christmas takeover. Danyel also sheds light on the difficulty of Carey’s high-heeled rise and the industry’s attempt to shut her out, as noted by the ’96 Grammy Awards snub. Plus, Marvet Britto, former publicist for Carey, joins Songbook to discuss Mariah's contribution to music and her impact on culture.

Host: Danyel Smith

Guest: Marvet Britto

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Donnie Simpson: The Golden Voice And R&B’s Golden Girls | Chapter 32 May 18, 2022

This week, Danyel is joined by one of the most recognizable voices in music journalism, Donnie Simpson. He talks about his childhood— growing up in his mother’s record store and his love for music, to George Clinton being the spark that turned his aspirations to radio. Simpson also talks about his iconic interviews with artists like Sade and Vesta Williams, to being a part of Janet Jackson’s pre-show prayers on tour. Plus, Simpson gleams with joy as he talks about his deep friendship with Aretha Franklin, and what she meant to him.

Host: Danyel Smith

Guest: Donnie Simpson

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Alpha Girl: Ella Mai | Chapter 31 May 06, 2022

On this episode of ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ host Danyel Smith is joined by sultry and soulful songstress and fellow Alpha Girl, Ella Mai, to celebrate the release of her sophomore album ‘Heart on My Sleeve.’ 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 this latest project. She talks her deep affinity for Mary J. Blige and Mary’s influence on her as an artist, particularly as it relates to this album. Plus, Ella talks about what it was like working with the legendary Kirk Franklin and what it means to have his feature on the album.

Host: Danyel Smith

Guest: Ella Mai

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Shine Bright Celebration | Chapter 30 Apr 20, 2022

This week, 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’! She is joined by colleague, longtime friend, and host of ‘Jemele Hill Is Unbothered’ Jemele Hill for a deeply emotional conversation about the creative process of book writing. Also, Danyel is joined by her husband, Elliott Wilson, fellow music creative, host of ‘Rap Radar Podcast,’ and chief content officer of Tidal, who talks about having a front-row seat to the making of ‘Shine Bright’ and Danyel’s growth throughout the process. Plus, the ‘Black Girl Songbook’ production team joins the show to weigh in on the momentous occasion.

Host: Danyel Smith

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Let’s Hear It For The Boys | Chapter 29 Apr 13, 2022

This is still your ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ but this week we’re taking a page out of Deniece Williams' book and Hearing It For The Boy -- or in this case, The Boys. In this episode, Danyel Smith talks about the genius of Deniece Williams' music and her timeless sound. Plus, story consultant Taj Rani joins Danyel in conversation about some of Danyel’s favorite male artists, their hits, and contributions to music.

Host: Danyel Smith

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Billie Holiday’s Love Is Here to Stay | Chapter 28 Apr 06, 2022

On this episode of ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ host Danyel Smith is reclaiming the sultry sound of jazz by celebrating the life, impact, and influence of Billie Holiday’s music that shows up in notes from our favorite artists like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Diana Ross, among others. Plus, Danyel speaks about “male groupies” and Billie Holiday’s husband, Louis McKay, making a gross attempt at rewriting his part in history as a hero in Holiday’s biopic 'Lady Sings the Blues.'

Host: Danyel Smith

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Donna Summer Deserves | Chapter 27 Mar 31, 2022

This week, host Danyel Smith celebrates the enchanted, soulful voice of Donna Summer and her undeniable contribution to music as inventor of disco and shining pop star. Danyel walks us through the trials and tribulations that Donna endured as she continued to be a creative force in the music world even though American culture attempted to kill a genre she stood at the forefront of.

Host: Danyel Smith

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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Day Dreaming on Aretha Franklin’s 80th Birthday | Chapter 26 Mar 23, 2022

Danyel Smith is bringing in the Season 3 premiere of ‘Black Girl Songbook’ by celebrating what would be the incomparable Aretha Franklin’s 80th birthday! Not only does she talk about Aretha’s iconic voice and music, but Danyel also walks us through a day dream of sorts— from Aretha’s girlhood and deep, deep relationship with her mother, Barbara, through Aretha’s womanhood and adult life. Plus, Danyel talks about Aretha’s persistent influence on artists and music.

Host: Danyel Smith

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

Guest Booking: Allyson Turner

Story Consultant: Taj Rani

Sound Design: DJ Steve Porter

Production Supervision: Juliet Litman, Chelsea Stark Jones

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