New Books in Popular Culture Sharon White Rewires Disco
Nov 25, 2025
In a captivating conversation, DJ Sharon White shares her groundbreaking journey as a pioneering Black queer woman in 1970s New York's nightlife. She recounts her triumph as the first female resident DJ at The Saint and her unique sound that redefined disco. White highlights the importance of collaboration over competition and her experiences at iconic venues like Paradise Garage and Studio 54. With a deep passion for music and a trailblazing spirit, she reflects on her influence on younger DJs and the power of music in her life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Night A Ballad Stopped The Floor
- Sharon White describes playing Patti LaBelle's Somewhere Over the Rainbow at The Saint and stopping the floor at 6 a.m. with everyone in tears.
- She calls that shared emotional moment the one she craved her entire career and describes it as magic.
NDAs Hid Women's Creative Work
- Sharon explains NDAs limited women DJs' visibility by preventing them from talking about mixes they made for labels and studios.
- She argues NDAs short-circuited careers even when those mixes paid well and influenced the scene.
Make Allies, Not Enemies
- Sharon advocates collaboration over competition and says making allies serves you better than making enemies.
- She emphasizes creative partnerships multiply what two people can achieve together.