Meet Ebonie Smith | Music Producer, Engineer, Musician, and A&R.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ebonie Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ebonie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2007, I was working on my senior thesis project at Barnard. My thesis project involved conducting an ethnography on women music producers in the NYC metropolitan area. Through my research, I discovered that many of these women didn’t know each other, despite working in the same field. This realization led me to create the first Gender Amplified conference in the spring of 2007, bringing together the women from my thesis for a groundbreaking event focused on women in hip-hop production. The energy in that room was unforgettable, and after graduating, I continued the work—transforming Gender Amplified into a thriving community and movement.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is rooted in storytelling — whether that’s through music, visuals, or any creative medium I touch. What sets me apart is that I don’t chase trends. I build worlds. Everything I do is very intentional and layered, even if it looks simple on the surface.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve stayed true to my instincts. There have been a lot of opportunities to “blend in” for quick success, but I’ve always believed that longevity comes from authenticity. It hasn’t been easy — not at all. There were seasons where nothing made sense, where projects fell apart, where doors closed. But I learned that consistency, prayer, and staying tapped into a deeper purpose can carry you through the discouragement.
The biggest lesson? Your work can only be as strong as your foundation — and that foundation isn’t just technical skill. It’s your sense of self, your faith, your circle, and your vision for the long run.
If I want people to know anything about me or my brand, it’s that I’m here to create art that lives beyond a moment. I’m not interested in being everywhere; I’m focused on being impactful where it matters most.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, I’d want to give them a real taste of the city’s heartbeat — the art, the culture, the soul food, the hidden gems.
We’d start at a small coffee shop or cafe — somewhere lowkey where artists and regulars hang out, like a place that’s got vinyl spinning and a real community vibe. From there, we’d probably hit a museum or a cultural center — something like The Row DTLA or a cool local exhibit that’s telling a real story.
For food, I’d take them to a few classic spots — Bacari in Silverlake, and definitely a good taco truck at some point and maybe Great White in Larchmont Village.
We’d spend a day just driving with no real plan, stopping at thrift stores in Echo Park, record shops, skating at Moonlight in Glendale, anywhere that feels magnetic. And at night, we’d find a live music show — not necessarily the big venues, but where the musicianship is raw and undeniable. We’d probably wrap the week with a trip to Venice Beach.
The people that make this city exciting aren’t always the ones you see online — it’s the folks who are grinding in silence, building something honest and original. I’d want my friend to leave feeling like they touched that.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my amazing team at Gender Amplified for their hard work and dedication to advancing our vision and what it represents for a diverse community of voices in the music industry.

I also want to take a moment to honor the memory of my dear friend Derrick Cobb, who was tragically killed in a car accident this past December. His passing marked the end of an extraordinary life. Derrick was not only a close friend but also a constant supporter of my work and my vision. He was a Black, queer man who championed the work of women, artists of all races, and those marginalized by society. Derrick’s influence was woven throughout the fabric of On Imagination. His unwavering belief in me and my ideas shaped the very essence of this project.

Website: https://eboniesmith.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eboniesmithmusic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eboniesmith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eboniesmith

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eboniesmithmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-cwxiCvetFgo-LZoKruAA