Marvin Eugene Smith

Marvin Eugene Smith (April 19, 1952, Chicago, Illinois - ) is an American songwriter, entertainment executive, philantropist, activist, humanitarian and socialite. He is the father of four sons. His nickname is "Motown Merv", dubbed by his many childhood friends that also ventured into show business, referring to his emulation of the world famous producers responsible for the success of Motown Records and his opulent lifestyle.
He is the second child of Alan Joshua Smith (1914-1995) and Geraldine Smith (1914-1994). Smith was a sickly child struggling with bronchitis that often inhibited him from playing outside with his friends, particularly during the winter. A neighbor who was a theology student offered to teach him to play guitar. His mom bought him a guitar that next week and young Marvin soon became proficient with the instrument, often surprising his friends by playing popular hits by ear. During the 1960's as a high school he joined several singing groups and band and cemented life long friendships with several who have left indelible imprints on the entertainment business at large--Verdine White (Earth, Wind and Fire,) Danny Leake (Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson,) Johnny McGhee (LTD,) Paul Richmond (The Manhattans, Tyrone Davis, Amuzement Park,) Leanard Jackson (Rose Royce, Stargard, Undusputed Truth, George Clinton, Snoop Dogg,) Lorrin Charles Bates (Nancy Wilson, Skip Scarbrough) among several others.
After writing a few hit singles for RCA's teen heart throbs, 21st Century ("Remember The Rain," Child) and Jerry Butler's debut for Motown Records ("The Devil In Mrs. Jones,") Marvin was handpicked by Motown great, Norman J. Whitfield in 1977 to join his new Whitfield Records label distributed by Warner Brothers Records. Mr. Whitfield was impressed by Marvin's work ethic and directed him personally. During his tenure there Marvin contributed to several of the company's recording projects for Rose Royce, Stargard and the Undisputed Truth. During breaks with Whitfield Records he also wrote with wunderkind, Chuck Jackson (Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston) for several projects.
After a hiatus from the industry, Marvin returned recently with his own online imprint Dangerous Minds Entertainment Group (http://www.dangerousmindsonline.com) , a online radio station KDME-Renegade Radio (http://www.live365.com/index.live) an online television station Fly-TV (http://www.livestream.com/dangerous_minds_online) a child's clothing line, Kid Flash and a concert promotion company. He also represents several upcoming artists and is a member of the team representing Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award Winners, Jack Ashford & the Funk Brothers ("Standing In The Shadows of Motown.") Recently, he enjoyed commercial success with Snoop Dogg ("Sisters N' Brothers,) Trey Songz ("Gotta Go,) Lil' Zane ("Do It, Don't Stop) and Charlie Wilson's Grammy nominated ("There Goes My Baby".) To date he has written songs with Norman Whitfield, Chuck Jackson, Babyface, Calvin Richardson, Gregg Pagani, Darryl Simmons, Snoop Dogg and Trey Songz--spanning more than 30 years of hit singles into the marketplace.
He is a member of Save Darfur, the American Anti-Slavery Movement, the Prosthetics Outreach Foundation and is an outspoken critic of human rights violations.

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