Shine Bright

A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop

By: Danyel Smith

Narrated by: Danyel Smith

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

American pop music is arguably this country’s greatest cultural contribution to the world, and its singular voice and virtuosity were created by a shining thread of Black women geniuses stretching back to the country’s founding. This is their surprising, heartbreaking, soaring story—from “one of the generation’s greatest, most insightful, most nuanced writers in pop culture” (Shea Serrano)

“Sparkling . . . the overdue singing of a Black girl’s song, with perfect pitch . . . delicious to read.”—Oprah Daily

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, The Root, Variety, Esquire, The Guardian, Newsweek, Pitchfork, She Reads, Publishers Weekly

SHORTLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD

A weave of biography, criticism, and memoir, Shine Bright is Danyel Smith’s intimate history of Black women’s music as the foundational story of American pop. Smith has been writing this history for more than five years. But as a music fan, and then as an essayist, editor (Vibe, Billboard), and podcast host (Black Girl Songbook), she has been living this history since she was a latchkey kid listening to “Midnight Train to Georgia” on the family stereo. 

Smith’s detailed narrative begins with Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who sang her poems, and continues through the stories of Mahalia Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Mariah Carey, as well as the under-considered careers of Marilyn McCoo, Deniece Williams, and Jody Watley. 

Shine Bright is an overdue paean to musical masters whose true stories and genius have been hidden in plain sight—and the book Danyel Smith was born to write.

©2020 Danyel Smith (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Memoir, criticism, and cultural history meet in this masterful study of the brilliant Black women who shaped American pop music.... In this soulful, enriching portrait of these extraordinary artists’ struggles and triumphs, Smith widens the canon to usher in new luminaries.”—Esquire, “The Best Books of Spring 2022

“From Phyllis Wheatley to Mahalia Jackson to Dionne Warwick, this captivating examination of Black women in music doesn’t miss a beat. Endlessly readable, Shine Bright calls overdue attention to the groundbreaking women who made American music.”—Ms. Magazine, “April 2022 Reads for the Rest of Us”

“An enriching and entertaining book about the Black women geniuses who shaped pop music.”—Business Insider

The True Herstory of American Music

Now that Danyel Smith has created the text, we must read, share and teach the true history (really her story) of American (as in USA) music.

Musical Love Affair Shinning Bright

The performance, the story, where do I begin. I love the depth Danyel takes us with her musical knowledge and her personal story in between. She really loves the artist that she spoke about did her research and gives us all the tidbits that you don't think of with the artist in the music. Only a music head would know that, that was Confunkshun at the end of the Beyonce song with the remix of Frankie Beverly. I felt like I was sitting interviewing her, listening to her stories drinking a glass of wine. I didn't want it to end I wanted to know about another artist. I listen to her Podcast as well weekly wondering which artist she's going to talk about next I loved the book definitely get it for those who were on the fence you won't regret it.

Brilliantly written; I needed to know this part of HERstory for history’s sake!

I blew through this book in two days! It should be required course for every music student in USA studying pop or any form of American music.

A verbal quilt of black music history

I’ve been reading Danyel Smith longer than I’ve know. Of Danyel Smith. An avid music nerd growing up I had nearly every issue of XXL, The Source, & Vibe. It wasn’t until becoming a huge fan of Danyel’s husband, Elliot Wilson through social media and their now defunct podcast “Relationship Goals” in which they discussed so much of their past work that I learned “Oh she wrote that article that I read before!”

It was that same feeling that I found myself having while reading this book and learning how so many black female artist got their way in the door, or their recognition as “oh she wrote that song, or she sang that hook,” so many times it was accolades after the fact. Danyel gives these ladies their flowers. She tells their stories the way they deserve to be told in a way that informs you but also makes you to want to be sure if at all you can never create those same roadblocks for the women in your own life.

Smith masterfully intertwines her personal life into the lives of the many female artist she admires so seamlessly you lose who’s story you’re more intrigued by, hers or the artist. This book is talent on display, in its writing, it’s history, and it’s spirit, it does indeed Shine Bright.

excellent book...I wish I held it in my hands to r

Absolutely awesomely written. You knocked the book out of the park. I look forward to reading other works by you and I am grateful that you wrote this book. it inspired me to be sure to shine bright.

Excellent Book

Danyel Smith seamlessly weaves the history of Black Women in pop into her own story because it is part of her story. It’s beautiful, moving, and educational. Thank you for sharing your story. I am waiting for the next book.

Danyel did that, ok?!

What a beautiful account of some of our biggest pop stars throughout history. Learned so much, and it was a topic of conversation with some of my fave women in my own life. Loved how Danyel was able to bring in her own story throughout. It's more than a boss move to be able to quote yourself because when you conducted so many interviews your damn self. Truly a gem. 💎

Love Letter to Black Women

Initially I thought the author as narrator would take away from this novel. However, Danyel Smith's voice was perfect, the portions that made me tear up were also the parts that I could hear the author still become emotional about. I especially loved that she still sounds wowed like she can't believe this was her life. Her 'Outro' is SUPERB!! Black Woman will physically respond when Ms. Smith outlines how accomplishments are erased and how our humanity is marginalized and then when its appropriated how it becomes celebrated. This book is a love letter to Black Women in pop and a crown adjustment to all Black Women.

Brilliant

Such a beautiful, intimate and well deserved salute to the Black women mentioned and adored by so many. Shine Bright felt like a love song or a deep warm hug. The common thread of women constantly and historically being robbed of their light and greatness is too familiar. I loved the boldness of the stories and vulnerability of the authors personal journey as well. It was a joy to read.

SO BRIGHT!

Sometimes an audiobook is so good that I want to buy the physical book just so I can see the words printed on the page. This is one of those times. Danyel Smith DID that! Her raw emotion, exhaustive research, and stellar writing make this one of the best listening experiences I’ve ever had. You can’t call yourself a true music fan and not read this book!