Big Bert

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

Early life[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

• 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[edit]