Meet Courtney O.C. Smith on Breaking Artists, Live Music, Deals and Scaling a Publicity Firm during the Pandemic.
Breaking Artists truly is a labor of love . It taught me to think outside of myself more. I actually care about my Artists as people first .
During the pandemic things were and still are difficult but I’m creative. I had one of my most financially successful years to date.
One of the key people in my life and in my success definitely was Birchell J. Glenn, he owns a platform called POWTV. I’ve watched him handle a lot of adversity through this time . I look to him for guidance on a lot of things , I can even attribute my first Valentino and Chanel bags to him. Now I’m addicted (laugh).
Birchell J. Glenn He’s supported me through like 3 years of my career almost. Always there whenever I need him and always down to help me keep my head in the game. From my transition from PR and Now being an Artist Manager. During the pandemic we did at least ten events we had to wear masks it was crazy . We have a great chemistry, it gets a little spicy though because we’re both soo passionate.It’s been a lot of fun through everything.
One day Birch, that’s what I call him, called me and asked could we close a deal with Empire and Waleed Coyote. I was excited that was both his and my very first deal . With a group from North Carolina that I’ve grown to love , ALL IN THE FAM. A great group of guys. I have some more news about Yung Smilez and Worldwide Wednesday , stay tuned .
I’m not one of those people who tries to pretend like I did this on my own. I have support . I launched Bracey and Company as a nod to my Husband , Jonathan Bracey .
Jonathan and I’s relationship has evolved soo much , I would say he’s definitely a best friend . He’s older than me , but I’ve known him since I was very young without him I would have never been afforded the luxury to take this journey at all.
I’m a risk taker and I literally believe I can do anything. That was instilled in me early on by my parents. Recently , my Father , Lee W. Smith III passed . My Father is the reason I even knew hip hop existed . OPP was my favorite song to sing with him on errands through the countryside of Virginia. When I decided leave everything behind to pursue this life path my father invested most of the money so I can build my network . My love and passion for music will probably never be the same though without him.
After his funeral , it was still surreal to me , I even went to South Carolina the next day to a festival with My Artist ,Yung Smilez. The mood was very somber.
No matter what I keep going , I’m known to cry and even be emotional. but I always pull through in the end. I’m a woman and I embrace all facets of it .
