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Big Bert

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Big Bert
Birth nameRobert Anthony Smith
Also known asBig Bert
Born (1979-02-11) February 11, 1979 (age 45)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
GenresR&B, pop, hip hop, urban pop, dance-pop
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter, composer, musician
Years active2000–present
SpouseXochitl Jacques-Smith
WebsiteBigBertEntertainment.com

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

Early life

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Smith was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[1] His father was a preacher and business owner, who had a trucking company.[1] Smith is a cousin of music producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, his older brother Fred and their sisters Sharene and Sybil.[2] As a child, he began playing the piano or drum set at church, while his brothers and sisters were singing.[1] The family had a vacation home in Marion County, Florida, where they often resided.[1]

Career

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Smith began producing at the age of 15.[1] In 2000, Jerkins asked Smith to work with him on a remix of Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias's single "Sad Eyes."[1] Following his contribution, Smith complected highschool and relocated to Los Angeles where he joined Jerkins' Darkchild collective.[1] One of his first projects was Michael Jackson's tenth studio album Invincible[1] 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.[1] 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.[3]

Personal life

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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.[4] In 2004, Smith disclosed that the pair never legally wed but portrayed the notion of nuptials to preserve Norwood's public image.[5] Smith and his wife Xochitl Jacques-Smith work together and have five children, Rain, Soleil, Sade, Robert and Judah.[1] The family lives in Ocala, Florida.[1]

Production work

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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.