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.[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
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
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]
