Hi, folks, we are so glad that you're listening to Our Body Politic. If you have time,

please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcast. It helps other listeners find us and we read them for your feedback. We are here for you, with you and because of you. Thank you. This is Our Body Politics. I'm Farai Chidea. Black women are a critical part of the global pop music industry,

but have not gotten all of their props as strategist, businesswomen, and creators. Author Danielle

Smith weaves her own life into an exploration of iconic black women musicians. It's all in her

book Shine Bright, a very personal history of black women in pop.

Danielle Smith tells stories with passion and beauty in novels and magazines and more.

She was the first black woman editor of Billboard, editor at large at Time Incorporated, and editor-in-chief

of Vibe. She currently hosts the podcast Black Girl Songbook.

Smith and I were also baby journalists together back in the day, and in addition to being a

tour to force of music commentary, Shine Bright gave me a chance to reminisce with Danielle about

what covering pop culture means and how it shapes those of us who do it as well as the world.

Hey, Danielle. Farai. You are all the things. This book is stunningly, beautifully written and thank you for it. Thank you.

You're welcome. I am still at a place where I think I am still somewhat in shock that the book finally exists in the world.

And I just want to say that your witty use of language, like you have phrases like,

keep it within nutbush city limits. That was about the ways that Tina Turner is constrained by the music business.

And then cut off like Kuntikente's foot about how the pioneering guitarist sister Rosetta

Tharp was cut out of the origin story of rock and roll. Phrases like that just give me life.

And often it's about things that are traumatic in terms of these powerful women being

constantly boxed in, stolen from, underrated, poorly represented, and yet still triumping.

So what made you write this book? I'm inspired by the crimes that have been committed against these women with regard to their careers and their lives.

I'm inspired by the music that they continue to make.

By the way they continue to write songs of joy when oftentimes they were experiencing so much sadness and unfairness. So I'm inspired.

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