10 episodes
Black Girl Songbook The Ringer
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- Music
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4.9 • 102 Ratings
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Join Danyel Smith as she celebrates and uplifts the talents of Black Women in the music industry - songwriters, producers, executives and more. This is the space where the musical creativity and genius of Black women comes first. On Black Girl Songbook, you will hear the music of Black woman and stories from Danyel citing her decades of life experience, music, love and beyond. More importantly, you will hear and feel, Black women getting the credit they deserve.
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Day Dreaming on Aretha Franklin’s 80th Birthday | Chapter 26
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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Donna Summer Deserves | Chapter 27
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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Billie Holiday’s Love Is Here to Stay | Chapter 28
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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Let’s Hear It For The Boys | Chapter 29
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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Shine Bright Celebration | Chapter 30
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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Alpha Girl: Ella Mai | Chapter 31
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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Customer Reviews
We don’t deserve this.
It’s amazing that these stories are told. Even better that they are written and spoken about by one who has the power to tell them.
Breathless
I only just now heard her tell Moth her story. Right from her beginning. About Oakland, about writing. With Emotion.
And I zoomed over here to listen. I gotta hear more. My god, there’s goddesses talking and singing; I gotta be part of this.
Ain’t love fun? All that’s alive in me wants to just love willy-nilly.
Incredibly thoughtful and widely entertaining
This podcast takes you on a journey - delivering snippets of your favorite songs and providing thought-provoking and insightful commentary on all of your faves! Such a well-done pod