A review by indalauryn
Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smith

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

My friend dustdaughter gifted me this audiobook and I spent a few days listening to it and enjoyed every second. I knew a bit of Smith's writing sporadically over the years and realize that a lot of the music journalism I enjoyed came from her. This mix of personal memoir, music review, and historical chronicles is exactly what I wanted in music journalism and also why I love when Black women talk about ourselves without the lens of anthropological outsider. This one is truly a must-read for anyone who loves music history. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Grief

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

Minor: Homophobia

Smith talks openly about physical and mental abuse at the hands of her stepfather as well as abuse many of the women suffered from others in their lives from family and industry people.