Big Bert | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Anthony Smith |
| Also known as | Big Bert |
| Born | February 11, 1979 Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Genres | R&B, pop, hip hop, urban pop, dance-pop |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, songwriter, composer, musician |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouse | Xochitl Jacques-Smith |
| Website | BigBertEntertainment.com |
| Children | Sy'Rai Smith |
Robert Anthony Smith (born February 11, 1979), also known as Big Bert, is an American record producer, songwriter and musician.
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]
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 completed 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]
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]