don’t always be going to the party—give the fcuking party

+ lotssssss of Sinners stuff

Hi. I’m the author/journalist, producer, and podcast creator Danyel Smith. SHINE BRIGHT HQ is where I overshare about music, culture, sports, and writing. A full Shine Bright HQ archive is here. A whole Mariah thing is here. You and your fellow subscribers really like this 10+ hour playlist, and this tear-stained st. bart's-scented love letter. Right now is an excellent time to

There once was a great magazine called Rookie¹, and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd once interviewed me for Rookie’s² “Why Can’t I Be You” section. The 2014 conversation is personal and informal because me and Julianne (who has a book coming soon from Penguin, and who is the cofounder of Hearing Things) worked together at VIBE, where she was an absolute superstar.

I don’t talk about writing enough, and I don’t talk about my beginnings enough, so …