Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Smith.
Hi Jordan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. I only lived there for six months before I moved to the Bahamas, where my father and his family are from. We moved to View Park or Windsor Hills, Los Angeles in 2003. Los Angeles, specifically South La or South Central, became a part of me. The music, the art, the theatre. I used to take the public metro to my performing arts high school, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. There I majored in theater and developed my passions for filmmaking and music production. I decided to go against the grain and not enroll in a university or college because I had already been working film and television since I was young. Shortly after graduating high school, I landed a role on Netflix’ hit show Alexa And Katie, which was been nominated for two Daytime Emmy awards and one Primetime Emmy Award. “The show is really cool because it highlights the challenges of dealing with cancer, especially as a teen.” Since then, I have been working on my own music, music production for other artists, and creating films under my production company. I created my production company with Shelbie Wayne, a friend and artist from Inglewood. (we grew up in the same part of Los Angeles). I have also been recently working on a BET Television series called The Family Business which stars legends like Ernie Hudson and LisaRay McCoy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My road has definitely not been all smooth. The dangers and pressure of living in a big city, my childhood best friend, Demetrius Wilkerson, having to leave our neighborhood was tough because we went from freestyling, playing basketball, and hanging out everyday to not seeing each other very often.
I was in a near life-ending car accident coming home from a Dj gig one night, been robbed at gunpoint, I had my car broken into and got my laptop and harddrive with all my music and films stolen and never to be returned.
Television Pilots not getting picked up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create and produce music. I love to create all types of music, I grew up on gospel, soul, R&B and reggae, but I am heavily influenced by hip hop. Especially artists that are from La like Kendrick Lamar, Terrace Martin, Nipsey, Dom Kennedy.
I also am an actor as well, I’ve been in television shows such as Alexa & Katie on Netflix, Schooled on ABC, and The Family Business on BET. I am proud of Alexa and Katie because of the accolades and awards the show has earned,
However, importantly I am becoming more comfortable behind the camera as I am in front of the camera. I am planning on releasing a couple of short films under my production company in 2022. My creative partner for the company is Shelbie Wayne, an artist and close friend of mine since high school.
What sets me apart is my perspective and understanding of life and the city of Los Angeles, considering I am from here,
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I decided to build my own music studio through the pandemic. I was going to look outward and rent studio time somewhere, then when the pandemic hit I thought “What am I doing, I should just build a home studio.” don’t look outward, you have everything you need in from of you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballinlikejordan98/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordansmithart/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjordansmith
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEv9kw_JNWqU8jlzua8qvJg/featured
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jordansmith10076
