D. Smith

D. Smith is an American multi-platinum producer, singer-songwriter, and documentary filmmaker known for his work behind the scenes of major hip-hop releases and his groundbreaking visual storytelling. Born in Miami and raised across Brooklyn and Atlanta, he established himself as a key collaborator on Lil Wayne's Grammy-winning album Tha Carter III. His career has spanned decades of music production before he stepped into the public eye as a reality television personality and eventually a celebrated independent director.

Smith gained significant critical acclaim for his debut feature documentary Kokomo City, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023. The film offered an intimate look at four Black transgender sex workers in Los Angeles and solidified his reputation as a voice for marginalized communities. In September 2026, the artist announced a shift in personal identity, detransitioning after living publicly as a transgender woman for 12 years and returning to presenting as a man. [edit]

Born in Miami, Florida, D. Smith spent his early years in the South before moving to Brooklyn, New York, where his professional journey began. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, he immersed himself in the underground music cultures of both cities, honing his skills in songwriting and production. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes, blending R&B, hip-hop, and pop sensibilities to create a unique sound that would define his future collaborations.

Before achieving widespread recognition, Smith relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, establishing himself as a central figure in the city's vibrant music scene. He started writing songs and producing tracks for local artists, building a reputation as a versatile creative force. His early projects included experimental visual storytelling efforts like Blvd and D. Smith: Cab Driver in 2006, marking his first forays into filmmaking alongside his music career. This period was defined by quiet dedication rather than public fame, as he focused on crafting hits for others while developing his own artistic voice. [edit]

Smith's breakthrough arrived through high-profile collaborations in the Atlanta music scene, leading to work with stars like Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson, and Katy Perry. A pivotal moment occurred when he contributed significantly to Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III, released in 2011. The album became one of the best-selling records of the decade and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Smith received industry recognition for his production and songwriting contributions to this massive commercial success.

In 2016, he made history as the first transgender cast member on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta during its fifth season. This appearance brought him into the mainstream spotlight and allowed him to share his personal journey with a global audience. His career took a new direction in 2023 when he directed, produced, and executive produced Kokomo City. The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to widespread critical praise for its intimate portrayal of its subjects. Following his 2026 announcement of detransitioning, Smith continued to produce music, releasing the single "THATS WHY I LOVE YOU" and managing his production company while advocating for community support. [edit]

D. Smith is portrayed in the media as a multifaceted artist who defies easy categorization. Initially known as a hidden gem producer, Smith became a polarizing yet influential figure in reality TV due to their gender identity. Post-2026, the public image is shifting toward a narrative of resilience and authenticity, with Smith emphasizing their journey of self-discovery and artistic integrity. The tone of their content is supportive, communal, and focused on giving voice to marginalized communities. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. As of the September 2026 rankings, there is no published placement or global fame score available for D. Smith.

The fanbase for D. Smith is highly active on social media, particularly in defending the artist's right to self-identify and advocating for the visibility of transgender and non-binary individuals. Fans generally refer to themselves as supporters of the artist or the Kokomo City community rather than using a formal fandom name. Fan campaigns have included streaming pushes for the documentary and charity drives supporting LGBTQ+ youth organizations. Smith maintains a direct line of communication with fans via Instagram, often sharing personal reflections and updates on their transition journey. [edit]

Despite being born in Miami, Smith's creative roots are deeply tied to Brooklyn, New York, before settling in Atlanta. He has worked across a wide spectrum of genres, collaborating with artists as diverse as Andre 3000 and Katy Perry. Before becoming a reality star, Smith was already experimenting with documentary-style filming, evidenced by his 2006 projects Blvd and Cab Driver. His involvement in the creation of Tha Carter III remains a cornerstone of his legacy, contributing to the album's historic commercial dominance. Smith often describes himself as a "total artist communal," emphasizing his role as a support system for everyone around him. [edit]

Public information regarding D. Smith's family members, including parents or siblings, remains sparse as the artist has kept much of their private life out of the media spotlight. There are no widely reported marriages or engagements that resulted in public family units with children. Smith has not publicly acknowledged any children from past relationships. The focus of his public narrative has remained on his professional achievements and personal journey regarding gender identity rather than domestic details. [edit]

Lil Wayne, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson, Katy Perry, Andre 3000, Monica, Lloyd, Bernadette Giacomazzo. [edit]

Public information regarding D. Smith's romantic relationships prior to their public transition in 2016 is sparse, as Smith kept much of their private life out of the media spotlight during the early music career phase. No confirmed long-term public romantic partners were documented prior to Smith's appearance on reality television. During the 12 years Smith lived publicly as a transgender woman, specific details about romantic partners were often obscured by the focus on their gender journey and reality TV drama. There were no widely reported marriages or engagements during this period that resulted in public family units with children. Smith did not have any publicly acknowledged children from these relationships.

In September 2026, Smith announced they are detransitioning and will live as a man again. As of late 2026, there are no reports of a current partner or engagement. Smith's latest social media posts suggest a focus on individual artistic endeavors and community support rather than a new romantic relationship. The individual is currently navigating their return to presenting as a man and focusing on their music and film projects. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates D. Smith's net worth at approximately $3 million. This figure reflects income from music production royalties, reality television salaries, and earnings from the distribution of the documentary Kokomo City. Smith's wealth stems from his significant contributions to hit albums like Tha Carter III, which generated substantial backend profits. Additional revenue comes from his work on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and recent single releases. The artist also owns production entities and may hold real estate holdings in Atlanta and Los Angeles, though specific figures remain undisclosed. As of 2026, the financial trajectory continues to be supported by ongoing streaming residuals and new musical output. [edit]

D. Smith won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2010 as a producer on Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III. While the documentary Kokomo City received numerous festival nominations, the Grammy remains the primary competitive award won by Smith to date based on available records. [edit]