VIBE magazine is Black history

and as a former editor-in-chief —

— allow me to reintroduce myself:

I’m the author, journalist, producer, and podcast creator Danyel Smith. I was music editor of VIBE in my twenties, editor-in-chief in my early thirties, and returned after a half dozen years to be editor-in-chief (and chief content officer) of VIBE in my 40s. But before I get to sounding too much like my LinkedIn profile, I should tell you that this newsletter, SHINE BRIGHT HQ, is where I freestyle about music and culture. And regardless of what some say, right now it’s Black History Month. February 1 was about Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson. February 2 was about duets. February 3 was about Beyoncé, the Sugar Hill Gang, this week’s Grammys, and Grammys history. The celebration continues below. So ⤵️

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For a project I’m working on, I’ve been thinking about my years at VIBE a lot. I recently wrote about those times, here. And I talked about those times recently, here. The below pages speak for themselves, and for all the amazing creatives who created them.

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Stay aware. And follow Brittany Packnett Cunningham.

In music,

Danyel