Verse - St. Thomas, VI

Popular music prodigy “Verse” is no stranger to the rigors of this world. Born Maurice Simmonds, the Puerto Rico native spent his early years with his mother in a one-bedroom apartment in the Virgin Islands. “Things were definitely tough, to say the least”, states Verse. “Every one has tough times, but I remember my mother working overtime and not being home most nights and it still not being enough to provide for me.”

At age 8 Verse was sent to live with his grandmother in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Accommodations not being that much better, Verse and his family endured nights without electricity or food. There were evenings when the family was forced to retreat to and stay at a local Goodwill for better lodging. Eventually Verse was compelled to move back to the Virgin Islands. Throughout this instability, Verse changed schools and left friends many times.

The nomadic lifestyle had a profound effect on Verse who decided to find his escape and solace in what he calls “my best friend” – music. “I would jump into anything involving music. If there was a talent show, Verse (speaking of himself in third person) was in it.” “I joined a group with two of my friends and we set out to do whatever we could to get peoples attention in the Virgin Islands.”

Resolved to music being his “true calling,” Verse decided to forego college and opted to move back to the common ground of Florida to be closer to the “music scene.” It was back in Florida that fate or as verse declares “destiny” intervened. He met producer/songwriter/engineer Shama Joseph. “Sham just got it. Actually, he got me! Our ideas meshed so well together. The vibe felt like two pieces of the same puzzle.” The two decided to call the production team The Jugganauts.

Definitely having a unique sound and “flavor,” the team was offered and opportunity to produce an independent LP in Los Angeles. While wrapping production for the album they met representatives from an established production and artist management company based in Los Angeles who recognized their talent and offered to have them work with the company’s roster of clients. Shortly after, The Jugganauts were handed their first major label production assignment. Capitol Records charged the duo with the task of producing the majority of the album for 18-year-old female hip-hop artist AK’Sent.

During this period in Verse’s life, one his best childhood friends and former group mate from his the Virgin Islands, Theron Thomas, was enjoying success in music in the United States. Theron and his brother Timothy had taken the name “Rock City,” overcome their own struggles and became new signees of pop sensation Akon’s Konvict Records, a division of Geffen Records. At the urging of Thomas, convincing his friend of Atlanta’s music potential, Verse and Sham moved their operations to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to Rock City and closer to “open doors” to help further their careers. “I was reluctant, at first…” claims Verse, who was elated at the success and attention the duo was receiving on the west coast. “… but I was also aware of the music mecca that Atlanta was becoming.”

Moving to Atlanta proved to be the creative spark that Verse and The Jugganauts needed to progress to the next level. The Jugganauts have written and produced records for Rock City. Additionally they have written records for famed producers Rodney Jerkins and J.R Rotem and have worked with world-renowned artist Akon, and a host of upcoming major label acts such as Universal recording artist London and Sweet Rush, and Geffen and Tommy Boy artists Prima J and 2XL.

New artists would not be the only attention Verse garnered by moving back to Atlanta. Noticing a certain chemistry between The Juggernauts and his artist, Rock City’s manager Ray Daniels decided to make the “new sound” official by offering to manage The Jugganauts as well. Graciously accepting the leadership that propelled his friend’s group to prominent status within the music business, Verse knew it was not only the time to elevate The Jugganauts position in music, but was the opportunity to surround himself with the necessary tools to return to the microphone. “Most of the male records that we would write… I found myself recording the demo for those particular records, and when we played them, people would ask who’s the artist?” says verse “… and Theron and Sham would always jokingly say that’s Verse and we’re working on his solo project next.”

Eventually humor turned to reality, as the admiration for the artist on the demos became more of request to hear more from Verse. For the first time since his earlier days in the Virgin Islands, and observant of the growing admiration for his music, Verse began writing and recording records for himself. Allowing himself to express his pain, struggle, and journey to being the man he has become; through his music, Verse gives us an insight to the many sides of such an expressive artist. With his smooth brand of pop and urban melodies, all that remains to be seen is how high this star will fly.

Let the journey begin…

MYSPACE