Big Bert
Encyclopedia
Robert Anthony Smith, professionally known as Big Bert or Robert Anthony, is an American record producer
, composer
, songwriter
and musician
, who made his break in the industry when Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins consulted him to join his Darkchild collective in the late 1990s
. He went on to co-producing alongside Jerkins on tracks for bands like B2K
and the Spice Girls
, prior to contributions own productions to projects by Jennifer Lopez
, Dave Hollister
, Toni Braxton
, Kelly Rowland
and Kiley Dean
in the early to mid-2000s
.
During the ensuing production of Brandy
's Full Moon album, he became involved romantically with the singer. The couple quietly began a regular relationship during the summer of 2001 but their union did not become known until February 2002—the same month Norwood revealed that she was expecting her first child. However, a year after the birth of their daughter Sy'rai Iman Smith—an event tracked by the four-part MTV
reality series Special Delivery—Smith and Norwood officially announced their separation. It was not until 2004, that Smith revealed that the pair was actually never legally wed but they just had portrayed the notion of nuptials to preserve Norwood's public image.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, who made his break in the industry when Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins consulted him to join his Darkchild collective in the late 1990s
1990s in music
For music from a year in the 1990s, go to 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99This article includes trends in popular music in the 1990s....
. He went on to co-producing alongside Jerkins on tracks for bands like B2K
B2K
B2K was an American R&B music group. The group met in 1998, established in 2001, and managed by music producer Chris Stokes with Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, Raz-B, and Omarion as members. The group disbanded in 2004 due to internal disagreements.-2001-2002: B2K:...
and the Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, prior to contributions own productions to projects by Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister is an American R&B vocalist who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the Platinum-selling R&B quartet Blackstreet before going on to a solo career.-Biography:...
, Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
and Kiley Dean
Kiley Dean
Kiley Dean is an American contemporary R&B singer. Kiley was born and raised in a small town in Arkansas. When she was about 7 years old, her family decided to move to Orlando. She grew up singing in school and church, which led her to singing back-up for Britney Spears' tours, "…Baby One More...
in the early to mid-2000s
2000s in music
For music from a year in the 2000s, go to 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09This article includes an overview of the major events and trends in popular music in the 2000s....
.
During the ensuing production of Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
's Full Moon album, he became involved romantically with the singer. The couple quietly began a regular relationship during the summer of 2001 but their union did not become known until February 2002—the same month Norwood revealed that she was expecting her first child. However, a year after the birth of their daughter Sy'rai Iman Smith—an event tracked by the four-part MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
reality series Special Delivery—Smith and Norwood officially announced their separation. It was not until 2004, that Smith revealed that the pair was actually never legally wed but they just had portrayed the notion of nuptials to preserve Norwood's public image.
Selected production discography
- BrandyBrandy NorwoodBrandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
– Full Moon (2002)- "Die Without YouI'd Die Without You"I'd Die Without You" is a number three Billboard Hot 100 hit from 1992 by P.M. Dawn. It also peaked at number 16 on Billboards Hot R&B Singles in 1992....
" - "When You Touch Me" (co-producution)
- "Wow"
- "Die Without You
- Dave HollisterDave HollisterDave Hollister is an American R&B vocalist who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the Platinum-selling R&B quartet Blackstreet before going on to a solo career.-Biography:...
– Things in the Game Done Changed (2002)- "Baby Do Those Things"
- "I'm Wrong"
- "It's Okay"
- Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
– RebirthRebirth (Jennifer Lopez album)"Rebirth" received an aggregate score of 52/100 from Metacritic, denoting "Mixed or average reviews". Allmusic gave the album four stars and stated that "Since it doesn't deviate from the blueprint she's followed on her first three albums, it's hard to call this record a literal creative rebirth,...
(2005)- "Ryde or Die"
- Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
- IrresistibleIrresistible (Jessica Simpson album)Irresistible is the second studio album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson, released on May 25, 2001, through Columbia Records. Simpson, who began working on the project in July 2000, contacted already established writers and producers to collaborate on the project,...
(2001)- "Imagination" (co-production)
- Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
– Simply DeepSimply DeepSimply Deep is the debut solo album by American singer Kelly Rowland, first released by Columbia Records on October 28, 2002 in North America, and by February 3, 2003 throughout most international territories...
(2002)- "Love/Hate"
- Kiley DeanKiley DeanKiley Dean is an American contemporary R&B singer. Kiley was born and raised in a small town in Arkansas. When she was about 7 years old, her family decided to move to Orlando. She grew up singing in school and church, which led her to singing back-up for Britney Spears' tours, "…Baby One More...
- Simple Girl (2002)- "Better Than the Day"
- "Confused"
- "Should I"
- Nina SkyNina SkyNina Sky is an American musical duo composed of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino .-Early life and career:Albino's parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico and were divorced when the girls were younger...
– Starting Today (2010)- "Curtain Call"
- OliviaOlivia (singer)Olivia Theresa Longott , professionally known as Olivia, is an American R&B singer and rapper.-Early life:Raised in New York City, Longott is of Puerto Rican, and Indian descent....
– Behind Closed Doors (2005)- "Never Too Far"
- Ray JRay JWilliam Ray Norwood Jr. , better known by his stage name Ray J, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.-Early life:...
– This Ain't a GameThis Ain't A Game-Chart positions:...
(2001)- "Crazy" (co-production)
- Spice GirlsSpice GirlsThe Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
– ForeverForever (Spice Girls album)Forever is the third and final studio album by the English pop girl group the Spice Girls, released in 2000. It is their only album without Geri Halliwell, who later reunited with the group for their Greatest Hits release in 2007...
(2000)- "Get Down with Me" (co-production)
- Tarralyn Ramsey – Tarralyn (2004)
- "Take Me Away"
- Toni BraxtonToni BraxtonToni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
– More Than a WomanMore Than a Woman (album)More Than a Woman is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was released in the United States on November 19, 2002 by Arista Records. Most of the songs were written by Braxton, her husband Keri Lewis, and her sister Tamar Braxton...
(2002)- "Always"
- "Selfish"
- Trin-i-tee 5:7Trin-i-tee 5:7Trin-I-Tee 5:7 is a gospel duo from New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The group was marketed as a gospel alternative to R&B girl groups such as Destiny's Child and TLC. Trin-i-tee 5:7 has sold over 2.5 million albums....
– The KissThe Kiss (album)The Kiss is the third studio album by gospel group, Trin-i-tee 5:7. Featuring production by PAJAM, "Uncle Freddie" Jerkins and Myron Butler, "musically, The Kiss is urban contemporary/neo-soul with hip-hop elements, but lyrically", the album "is gospel". Described as "promoting Christianity" in a...
(2002)- "All My Life"
- "I Wish"