u/nytimes

My name is Danyel Smith (proof), and I'm a music journalist, culture/sportswriter, and author. Also a  contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine, former editor-in-chief of both VIBE and Billboard, and host of the Spotify Original / NAACP Image Award-nominated Black Girl Songbook podcast. I've interviewed everyone from Whitney Houston to SZA to Lionel Richie (and Jalen Hurts and Simone Biles). I serve on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame selection committee, and wrote the book Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. For The New York Times's 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters, I conducted interviews with Mariah Carey and Babyface, and wrote essays about them – as well as Carole King, Smokey Robinson and Valerie Simpson. 

Ask me anything about the songwriters project, my journalism journey and more. I’ll answer questions from 10-11 a.m. PT on Friday, May 8.