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Robert Anthony Smith (born February 11, 1979), also known as Big Bert, is an American record producer, songwriter and musician.

Early life

Smith was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His father was a preacher and business owner, who had a trucking company. Smith is a cousin of music producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, his older brother Fred and their sisters Sharene and Sybil. As a child, he began playing the piano or drum set at church, while his brothers and sisters were singing. The family had a vacation home in Marion County, Florida, where they often resided.

Career

Smith began producing at the age of 15. In 2000, Jerkins asked Smith to work with him on a remix of Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias's single "Sad Eyes." Following his contribution, Smith complected highschool and relocated to Los Angeles where he joined Jerkins' Darkchild collective. One of his first projects was Michael Jackson's tenth studio album Invincible He went on to co-produce alongside Jerkins on tracks for bands like B2K and the Spice Girls, prior to contributing to projects by Dave Hollister, Toni Braxton, and Kelly Rowland. In 2020, Smith co-founded the independent label NOMA Records, along with his wife, Chief Marketing Officer Xochi Smith as well as David and Lisa Midgett.

Personal life

During the production of Brandy's Full Moon album, Smith became romantically involved with the singer. The couple began a relationship in mid-2001 but announced it in February 2002, when Brandy revealed that she was expecting a child. A year after the birth of their daughter Sy'rai Iman Smith in 2002, the couple announced their separation on MTV reality series Special Delivery. In 2004, Smith disclosed that the pair never legally wed but portrayed the notion of nuptials to preserve Norwood's public image. Smith and his wife Xochitl Jacques-Smith work together and have five children, Rain, Soleil, Sade, Robert and Judah. The family lives in Ocala, Florida.

Production work

• Michael Jackson - Invincible (2001)
• Brandy - Full Moon (2001)
  • "When You Touch Me" (co-production)
  • "Wow"
• Dave Hollister – Things in the Game Done Changed (2002)
  • "Baby Do Those Things"
  • "I'm Wrong"
  • "It's Okay"
• Jennifer Lopez – Rebirth (2005)
  • "Ryde or Die"
• Jessica Simpson – Irresistible (2001)
  • "Imagination" (co-production)
• Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep (2002)
  • "Love/Hate"
• Kiley Dean – Simple Girl (2002)
  • "Better Than the Day"
  • "Confused"
  • "Should I"
• Nina Sky – Starting Today (2010)
  • "Curtain Call"
• Olivia – Behind Closed Doors (2005)
  • "Never Too Far"
• Ray J – This Ain't a Game (2001)
  • "Crazy" (co-production)
• Spice Girls – Forever (2000)
  • "Get Down with Me" (co-production)
• Tarralyn Ramsey – Tarralyn (2004)
  • "Take Me Away"
• Toni Braxton – More Than a Woman (2002)
  • "Always"
  • "Selfish"
• Trin-i-tee 5:7 – The Kiss (2002)
  • "All My Life"
  • "I Wish"

References

1. ^ Sotomayor, John (January 1, 2013). "Midas Touch". Ocala Magazine. p. 42. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
2. "Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Shares History Behind Classic Songs He Produced (Exclusive)". Youknowigotsoul.com. June 1, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
3. Johnson, Danielle. "Music Moves Marion: MCA, NOMA Records bring music series to Ocala's growing arts scene". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
4. LAUNCH Radio Networks (June 27, 2003). "Brandy And Her Husband on the Outs?". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on January 18, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
5. D'Angelo, Joe (July 21, 2004). "Brandy's 'Ex-Husband' Says They Were Never Really Married". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2010.

• American male songwriters
• African-American songwriters
• American record producers
• Living people
• 1979 births
• 21st-century African-American musicians
• 20th-century African-American people