FLINT, Mich. — For more than two decades, Flint native Derek “EBaller” Smith has been bringing music concerts and entertainment events to stages across Michigan and beyond.
Now the longtime promoter is celebrating 23 years in the business with a birthday bash concert at the FIM Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint on Sunday, March 22 at 8 p.m.
For Smith, celebrating another birthday brings him back to the moment that first pushed him into the concert business. “My birthday is what got me started in promotion,” Smith said. “Twenty-three years later, I’m still doing it.”
The show will feature a mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, comedy and fashion, including performances from headliners 42 Dugg and YK Niece as well as appearances from Detroit comedian Jack Funny and Jazmin Re’Nae of the television show “Baddies” among others.
Smith began promoting concerts in the early 2000s and quickly developed relationships with artists and industry insiders. One of his earliest major shows featured rapper Freeway of Roc-A-Fella Records during the height of the label’s popularity.
Moments like that helped establish Smith’s reputation as someone capable of bringing notable artists to Flint and other markets that are often overlooked by national tours.
Over the years, his work has taken him beyond Flint to cities including Detroit, Pontiac and even Miami. His most recent show was held in Battle Creek, where he helped bring the city’s first Hip-Hop concert to life.
“I didn’t want to limit myself to one place,” Smith said. “As you grow, you have to expand and keep building.”
Smith recently launched EBaller Touring, a company he founded that combines artist booking with live event promotion.
The business model allows him to handle multiple aspects of the entertainment pipeline, from securing artists and negotiating deals to promoting and producing live events.
“It’s promotion and booking together,” he said. “I can bring the artist, book the show and promote it. Everything in one.”
Instead of focusing strictly on one genre or demographic, he often blends music, comedy and other entertainment elements into the same show.
“I try to be diverse with my concerts,” Smith said. “Younger Hip-Hop, older Hip-Hop, comedy; I mix it all together so different people can enjoy it.”
A major part of Smith’s work involves advocating for cities like Flint that are often considered smaller markets in the entertainment industry. He believes audiences in these communities deserve access to the same types of events found in larger cities.
“There’s money there, and there are people who want those experiences,” Smith said. “Sometimes, those markets just get overlooked.”
After more than two decades in the industry, Smith says persistence is key for anyone interested in following a similar path. Promoting concerts can be unpredictable, with both financial wins and losses along the way.
“Just keep your passion,” he said. “Some years you win, some years you lose, but if you love it, you keep going.”
Smith’s birthday bash concert will take place Sunday, March 22 at the FIM Capitol Theatre, 140 E. Second St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available through the FIM Capitol Theatre box office and online at thefim.org/event/eballer.