Danyel Smith has been named editor of Billboard, where she will oversee the editorial operations of the weekly print magazine. Jem Aswad has been named editor of Billboard’s business-focused website, Billboard.biz, and will oversee the site’s digital newsletters. Both are based in New York and report to Billboard editorial director Bill Werde.
Smith began her professional career as music editor at San Francisco Weekly and became Billboard’s R&B editor in 1993. She later served two stints as editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine (1997-99 and 2007-2009) and was the editor-at-large for Time Inc. from 1999-2001.
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She has contributed to publications such as Elle, Time, Village Voice, The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Spin, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Condé Nast Media Group, and The New York Times.
Smith wrote the introduction for the New York Times-bestseller Tupac Shakur and has also written two novels: More Like Wrestling and Bliss (Crown).
Most recently Aswad was managing editor of MTV News, serving at the company from 2004 to 2010. Previously, he held senior editorial posts at Time Out New York and CMJ, and positions at ASCAP, Atlantic Records, Caroline Records and Warner Bros. offshoot Collision.
His writing has been published in New York, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, the Village Voice, Esquire, Suede, Bklyn, Nick Jr., Teen People and other publications, and he contributed extensively to The Trouser Press Record Guide. He graduated from Syracuse University and has lectured at the school’s Bandier music-business program and at New York University.
“It’s a thrill to be able to add two such high caliber and accomplished journalists to Billboard,” says Werde. “Danyel is simply one of the most talented editors and people working today. And Jem’s combination of music industry experience and online management success make him a perfect fit. As Billboard continues to evolve with the ever-changing business of music, it’s exciting to have this new leadership team in place.”