Jerome Smith’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Jerome Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Jerome, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Absolutely. There have been moments in my career where I was tempted to jump on an opportunity immediately—maybe a collaboration, a release, or even a deal—but I paused and thought it through. Taking that time often led to better decisions, whether it was refining a track, negotiating a smarter deal, or just making sure the timing was right. Acting too fast can sometimes cost you quality or control, so slowing down and letting things develop has paid off more than once.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Renaissance Man, music producer, artist, and creative who lives at the intersection of music, culture, and storytelling. I started out behind the scenes making songs and shaping records, and over time that naturally evolved into releasing my own music and building a brand around process, intention, and longevity rather than hype.

What makes what I do a little different is that I care just as much about how something is made as the final result. I’m big on craftsmanship — from vocal tone and sound design to the ideas and lessons behind the music. I’ve been fortunate to work with some legendary artists such as Eminem, Drake, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and more, but I’m just as passionate about creating my own lane and highlighting the journey, the studio moments, and the growth that happens off-camera.

Right now I’m focused on new music, behind-the-scenes content, and building platforms that blend education, inspiration, and real-life experience. The goal is to make work that lasts, connect with people on a deeper level, and show that there’s more than one way to win in this space.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that’s learning to be released is the version of myself that felt responsible for saving or changing everyone around me. For a long time, I genuinely believed that if I cared enough, helped enough, or showed up consistently, people would grow, heal, or choose better for themselves.

Now I understand that people are who they are, and they move when they’re ready—not when I want them to. I can’t control what someone wants, values, or commits to, no matter how much I care. Letting go of that responsibility has been freeing.

What’s replaced it is intention. I still care deeply, but I’m more selective with my energy. I protect my time, my focus, and my peace because those things fuel my creativity and purpose. In a way, I’ve become more “careless” on the surface, but it’s actually because I care so much about doing things right, staying aligned, and not pouring into places that aren’t meant to receive it anymore.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me humility, patience, and self-awareness in a way success never could. When things are going well, it’s easy to confuse momentum with mastery. Struggle strips all that away and forces you to really look at yourself—your habits, your ego, your expectations, and your limits.

It taught me how to sit with uncertainty, how to move without validation, and how to keep going when there’s no applause. I learned resilience, discernment, and how to trust my own voice instead of chasing approval. Success can reward you, but suffering reshapes you. That reshaping is what made the success I have now sustainable.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
I believe time and energy are the most valuable currencies we have, and once you waste them, you don’t get them back. Because of that, alignment matters more to me than approval, and consistency matters more than moments of hype.

I also know that people reveal who they are through patterns, not words, and that clarity usually comes from silence, not noise. Growth isn’t loud—it’s repetitive, uncomfortable, and often invisible. Those truths guide how I move, create, and choose what I give my attention to, even when I don’t say them out loud.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that progress isn’t about intensity, it’s about endurance. Most people look for breakthroughs, shortcuts, or moments that change everything, but real growth comes from showing up when it’s boring, quiet, and unrewarded.

I also understand that clarity comes from doing, not thinking. You don’t figure life out first and then move—you move, adjust, and learn along the way. And finally, I know that protecting your peace isn’t selfish; it’s strategic. The more you value your energy, the more intentional—and effective—everything you touch becomes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JSakaTheBest.com
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• Facebook: https://facebook.com/JSakaTheBest
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/JSakaTheBest