Looking back on my life as a woman in the music industry, I’m unsettled by the inescapable sexism perpetrated by Sean Combs and others.

Her moody, enigmatic music made her a megastar. Can she learn to live with success?

Her album-as-Sistine Chapel: awe-inspiring from a distance and glittering with detail, a star-filled imaginary sky and an origin myth that comes to life through its brilliant brush strokes.

Sam Sanders and longtime music journalist Danyel Smith revisit how Beyoncé's surprise drop album in 2013 changed everything.

Author and top music journalist Danyel Smith discusses her newest book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. Speaking to Quest' and Team Supreme, Danyel shares some fascinating bits from the book, memories from her time leading VIBE magazine, and anecdotes writing about Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, and Arrested Development.

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.

Music critic Danyel Smith’s whipsmart latest, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, is a masterful examination of the Black women artists who’ve indelibly shaped American popular music. 

Host Danyel Smith iexplores 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 sits down with Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis of the legendary group En Vogue.

Host Danyel Smith 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.

In this "Washington Post Live" conversation from May 4, author Danyel Smith explains why she wanted to give Black women their due in “Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.”

In this Washington Post Live conversation, author Danyel Smith explains why she wanted to give Black women their due in "Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop."

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.

Read an excerpt from music journalist Danyel Smith’s new book, ‘Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.’

In an essay adapted from her new musical memoir, Danyel Smith plumbs the underappreciated genius of Gladys Knight, and her group's forlorn masterpiece.

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. Danyel Smith talks about the genius of Deniece Williams' music and her timeless sound. Story consultant Taj Rani joins Danyel to talk about Danyel’s favorite male artists, their hits, and contributions to music.

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. Plus, host Danyel Smith 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.'

Danyel Smith joins Chris Molanphy to discuss Black women singers never getting their due and how their voices are “the epitome of free.”

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 even though American culture attempted to kill a genre she stood at the forefront of.

In the Season 3 premiere of "Black Girl Songbook," Danyel Smith walks us through a day dream of sorts- from Aretha Franklin’s girlhood and deep, deep relationship with her mother, Barbara, through Aretha’s womanhood and adult life. 

Hip-hop's battle-ready swagger is thrilling and joyous. What sits behind it is more complex.

Don't let the easy-listening ballads and pastel sweaters fool you: Lionel Richie, starting his fifth season on 'American Idol,' is a true Black music pioneer.

Host Danyel Smith welcomes the Emmy-, Grammy-, and Oscar-winning singer-actress Jennifer Hudson to discuss the process of grooming her acclaimed talent and the journey to playing the legendary Aretha Franklin in ‘Respect.' Plus, Jennifer dives into what it’s like to be the light for the culture when we mourn the "greats."

This week, host Danyel Smith takes us all to church with none other than thee legend, CeCe Winans! CeCe Winans joins the show to talk about her God-given voice and her dynamic career in gospel music. She also talks about the power of the genre and her friendship with Whitney Houston.

An extra-special episode featuring the genius voice of Brandy. Host Danyel Smith 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.

This week, Danyel celebrates 20 chapters of 'Black Girl Songbook' with singer, songwriter, and recording producer The-Dream. He tells the stories behind four of his most genius music collaborations with Black women artists. He also shares his admiration for Black women in music and explains exactly why he loves writing music from a woman’s perspective.

This week, Danyel Smith talks blue-eyed soul and musical segregation of the past and the present and how it affects artists’ legacies. She also talks about the difficulty of reckoning with this truth as it relates to being a fan of talented white artists like Madonna and Adele. Later, Danyel is joined by her sister and friend of the show, Raquel Smith, to discuss Raquel’s all-time favorite, Teena Marie. 

This week, Danyel celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Rihanna’s most successful record, “We Found Love.” She examines Rihanna’s growth from entering the industry as a teenager from Barbados to becoming a self-made billionaire. Later, vocal producer Kuk Harrell joins Danyel to talk about the making of Danyel’s favorite Rihanna record, “Umbrella.”

This week, Danyel taps into our emotions and celebrates the deeply romantic music of Angela Bofill. Danyel reminisces on her teenage years and what it felt like to begin to understand the world through Angela Bofill’s soulful love songs. She's joined by Angela Bofill herself, and radio royalty Dyana Williams.

This week, Danyel celebrates the 40th birthday of Thee Beyoncé Knowles Carter. Grammy-award-winning producer Swizz Beatz and producer-songwriter extraordinaire Sean Garrett stop by to share their personal stories behind making some of Beyoncé’s most popular songs and what it’s like to create with her in the studio. 

Danyel Smith kicks off Season 2 with an episode celebrating the life, music, and impact of the princess of R&B, Aaliyah, 20 years after her death. Danyel takes the audience through who Aaliyah was as a young woman and what it was like to cover her as a member of the media. Also, legendary choreographer Fatima Robinson discusses working with Aaliyah on her iconic music videos.

In this special episode of ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ Danyel Smith recalls an influential tour that changed the landscape of hip-hop forever. She chats with former Digital Underground road manager Neil Johnson and Chuck D about the tour, their good friend Shock G, and more.

Danyel Smith celebrates what would have been the 50th birthday of rap icon Tupac by revealing moments from her close friendship with him

On this special episode of ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ Danyel Smith celebrates what would have been the 50th birthday of rap icon Tupac. She reveals moments from her close friendship with Tupac, then is joined by her best friends and sister to recall their own stories about their friendship with Tupac.

On the season finale of ‘Black Girl Songbook,’ 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.

This week, Danyel Smith looks at the songs that are so nice they were recorded twice! From tracks like “I’m Going Down” to “Killing Me Softly,” she examines what makes timeless songs desirable covers. Later on, she speaks with Grammy nominee Karyn White about her anthem “Superwoman.”

This week on 'Black Girl Songbook,' Danyel Smith makes space for artists who defy certain standards in the music industry. She’s 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.

California love! Danyel Smith, notable Oakland enthusiast, dedicates this episode to the state she adores. She's joined by Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters to talk about pioneering their unique style and growing up in Oakland. Later on, Cari Champion joins to talk about her experience being Black in Los Angeles.

This chapter of 'Black Girl Songbook' celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Alicia Keys's trailblazing career. Danyel begins by detailing 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.