User:Garrett Blake Smith

Garrett Blake Smith Garrett Blake Smith (born October 9, 1969), known by his middle name and stage name Blake, Blake Melodeus, is an American Songwriter and Music Producer as well as Photographer and entrepreneur. He was born in New York City and raised in Brooklyn by a single parent. Initially an artist with a passion for art, he became a graffiti artist in NYC. Growing up in a musical family (5 siblings) where his mother played guitar who was forbidden to play with her father who demanded she learn her craft before she could play with him. Blake barely had interest in creating music. His grandfather passed when he was at the tender age of 5 so he never got to play or learn from him who was an accomplished Jazz pianist at a very young age. He followed his mother on the road as extra hands on deck through her adventure playing with gospel groups until she formed her own bands.

Starting his music production career in the earlier parts of the 90s Smith was determined to express his passion for music because of his love of singing. Growing up Michael Jackson was one of his primary influences as well as jazz music and shortly afterwards gravitated towards piano in High School he explored writing and music production. His first professional production credit was a remix in 1996 called “Blackberry Molasses” - Long Summer Remix on an Atlanta based R&B group named “Mista” released on East West Records. Shortly thereafter, through several friends/artists he met Ron Lawrence and Deric “D-Dot Angelettie two producers from the production group known as (The Hitmen). Since, he has produced “Sitting Home” (1999) a Billboard Top 10 hit Single for (Total ) an R&B group and has produced a record for Bad Boy Artist Carl Thomas debut album Emotional “Special Lady” (2000). He has co-production credit with Kanye West, Jermaine Dupri as well as co-production (remix) single for Jody Watley (Shalamar) featuring Rakim from Rap Group (Eric B. & Rakim) “off The Hook” (2000).

Smith has Top 10 billboard credit and continues to create with new artist under his production company October Reign, LLC. Keeping himself current he also has developed a financial and securities based investment company where he teaches young artist publishing rights and ownership. His company is based in The Bronx, NY.