Jono Smithers, originally from South Africa, is a writer, producer, session musician, and film composer in Los Angeles, serving as the Head of Music at Highlightstar. A summa cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music (Guitar, Performance), his work merges technical skill with deep cultural influences, collaborating with artists and producers such as Derrick Milano, Troy Taylor, Conejo, Malik Yusef, and NLE Choppa, as well as contributing to global campaigns for Lionsgate and Hermitcraft. Influenced by Frank Zappa, he aims to challenge norms through his music, viewing it as a dynamic language designed to provoke, connect, and evolve.