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Shaffer Chimere
Smith, Jr. (born October 18, 1979),[1] better known by his stage name
Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer,
dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the
hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario. The single's successful release
in the United States prompted an informal meeting between Ne-Yo and Def
Jam's label head, and signing a recording contract.
In 2006, he released his debut
album, In My Own Words, which contained the US number one hit "So Sick", as well
as the top 10 hit "Sexy Love". Then in 2007, he released his second album,
Because of You, which contained the US top 3 hit, "Because of You". In 2008, he
released his third album, Year of the Gentleman, which contained the top 10 hits
"Closer","Mad" and "Miss Independent". His fourth studio album, Libra Scale, was
released on November 22, 2010.
In 2009, Billboard ranked him as
the 57th Artist of the 2000s decade.[2] In addition to a successful recording
career, Ne-Yo has amassed a catalog of chart-topping songs that he has written
for other artists.
****
Background information
Birth name
Shaffer Chimere Smith
Also known as
Ne-Yo
Born
18 October 1979 (age 32)
Camden, Arkansas, U.S.
Origin
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres
R&B, pop, dance, soul, hip hop
Occupations
Singer-songwriter, record producer,
dancer, actor
Instruments
Vocals, Piano, Guitar
Years active
1999–present
Labels
Compound/Motown
Associated acts
Rihanna, Kanye West, Keri Hilson,
50 Cent, Jay-Z, Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Jadakiss,
Pitbull, Afrojack, Trey Songz, T-Pain, LL Cool J
Website
yearofthegentleman.com
****
Early
life
Ne-Yo was born in Camden, Arkansas,
and baptized as Shaffer Chimere Smith. "Chimere" is a name originating from the
Igbo language in Nigeria meaning "God's Deed".[3] His mother is a mix of African
American and Chinese descent, and his father is African American.[4] Both of his
parents were musicians. As a young child, he was raised by his mother after she
separated from his father.[5] In hopes of better opportunity, his mother
relocated the family to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in the Las Vegas Academy, Smith
adopted the stage name "GoGo" and joined an R&B group called Envy.[6] The group
disbanded in 2000, and Smith continued to write songs for other artists before
starting his solo career.
Music
career
1999–2005: career beginnings
Ne-Yo emerged on the recording
industry scene as member of the Romford-based quartet Envy, which featured
Chimna Orji as its leading woman.[7] After the group disbanded in 2000, Columbia
Records signed Ne-Yo, but the label dropped him before he could release his
already-recorded first album.[8] American singer Marques Houston happened to
hear "That Girl", which Ne-Yo had planned to release as his debut single off his
then-unreleased album. Houston re-recorded the song and released it as a single
for his 2003 album MH.[7] The release of the song led to Ne-Yo being recognized
as a top songwriter.[7]
For the next two years, Ne-Yo
continued writing songs, some of which have not been officially released.[7] He
contributed songs to American singer Teedra Moses's 2004 album Complex
Simplicity, Christina Milian's It's About Time, and the American boy band
Youngstown,[9] though all of which failed to give Ne-Yo much mainstream
attention.[7] Ne-Yo has also contributed songs to singers Mary J. Blige, B2K,
Faith Evans and Musiq, among others.[10]
A breakthrough came when Ne-Yo
wrote "Let Me Love You" for American singer Mario. The song reached number one
on the Billboard Hot 100, and later stayed at the top spot for nine weeks.[9]
After the successful release, Tina Davis, former A&R representative for Def Jam
Recordings, arranged an informal meeting with label head L.A. Reid.[7] Despite
not seeking a new contract at the time, then-CEO of Def Jam Jay-Z signed Ne-Yo
to a new deal after he performed for the label's executives.[8][10]
The stagename "Ne-Yo" was coined by
Big D Evans, a producer with whom Ne-Yo once worked,[11] because Evans claimed
that Ne-Yo sees music as Neo sees the matrix.[12] Though Evans started calling
him this as a joke, the name stuck.[5]
2006–07: In My Own Words and Because of You
In early 2006, Ne-Yo released his
debut album, In My Own Words, through Def Jam. Boosted by its popular second
single, "So Sick", the album debuted at number one on Billboard 200, selling
over 301,000 copies in the first week.[13] During the same week, the single had
reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[14] Later singles released were
"When You're Mad" and "Sexy Love", which peaked at number 15 and number 7,
respectively.[15] The album has been certified platinum by the Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) for a shipment of over one million
units.[16]
His second album, Because of You,
was released on May 1, 2007, and, fueled by its lead single, debuted at number
one on the Billboard 200, selling 251,000 copies in the United States; the feat
gave Ne-Yo his second number-one album.[17] The first single from the
platinum-selling album was the title track, which peaked at the number-two
spot.[15] Despite the success of "Because of You", later singles released
charted lower and were unable to reach the Top 20.[15] The album has been
certified platinum by RIAA for a shipment of over one million units.[16] In
December 2007, Ne-Yo and the Goo Goo Dolls performed at a fund-raising concert
for the then presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama.[18]
2008–09: Year of the Gentleman and Greatest Hits
Ne-Yo's third album, Year of the
Gentleman, was released internationally on August 5, 2008. Speaking to noted UK
R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning Blues & Soul, Ne-Yo explained the
thinking behind its title: "To me 'Year Of The Gentleman' is all about a
persona, a swag and a charm. I made an assessment of the music business. And, in
my personal opinion, the essence of the gentleman is absent right now. Everybody
kinda looks the same, everybody's kinda doing the same thing, everybody's kinda
rude and full of themselves. Whereas a gentleman is calm, courteous, kind,
charming... So that title basically represents me trying to lead by example, and
showing these cats what it is to be a gentleman in this business still."[19]
The album sold 250,000 copies in
its first week in the United States, debuting on the Billboard 200 at number
two.[20] Reviews for the album were positive: in one of which, Caryn Ganz of
Rolling Stone magazine wrote that Year of the Gentleman is "actually a superb
concept album about what a great boyfriend he [Ne-Yo] can be".[21]
The first two singles, "Closer" and
"Miss Independent", have peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The
album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Album of the Year at the
2009 Grammy Awards, "Closer" for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and "Miss
Independent" for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.[22] Year of
the Gentleman has been certified platinum by RIAA for a shipment of more than
one million copies.[16] The third single, "Mad", peaked at number 11 on the
Billboard Hot 100.
On September 2, 2009, Ne-Yo
released greatest hits album Ne-Yo: The Collection in Japan.[23] The album was
also released with a limited edition CD+DVD edition complete with the music
videos of singles.[24] It debuted at number four on Japan Oricon weekly albums
chart, selling 55,625 copies in the first week.[25]
2010–2011: Libra Scale
Ne-Yo released his fourth studio
album, Libra Scale, on November 22, 2010.[26] The first single, "Beautiful
Monster", premiered on May 25, 2010 and was released as a digital download on
June 8, 2010 and reached number one on UK singles chart.[27] On October 8, 2010,
Ne-Yo performed some of his songs from the new album at P.C. Richard & Son
Theater in New York City that was hosted by iheartradio.[28] Ne-Yo made an
appearance at New York Comic Con to announce he was collaborating with Stan Lee
for a Libra Scale comic.[29] Ne-Yo also met with fans for pictures and
autographs in the Cultyard of the comic con.[30] The second and third singles
released off of the album are "Champagne Life" and "One in a Million",
respectively. Speaking of Libra Scale, Ne-Yo stated: "The album is based upon
this short story which basically follows these three characters who are forced
to choose between money-power-and-fame versus love. Which in turn is why I've
called it 'Libra Scale'. You know, its whole concept is based on that question
of morality – that, if you weight it all out on a libra scale, which one of
those two options would you choose?"[31]
The album debuted at number nine on
the US Billboard 200, selling 112,000 copies in its first week. In the United
Kingdom, the album debuted at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart, while debuting
at number one on the UK R&B Chart.
2011–present: Fifth studio album and projects
On February 25, 2011, while on his
tour in the United Kingdom, he announced his new album would be called Love and
Passion and would be released in September, but this was proven false as the
title was tentative. American rapper Fabolous, said in an interview that he is
planning a collaboration album with Ne-Yo as well. Ne-Yo is currently writing
songs for Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé Knowles, Justin Bieber, Monica, Alexandra
Burke, Cheryl Cole and Willow Smith's upcoming albums. Ne-Yo starred in two
motion pictures, Red Tails, due for a release in early 2012, and Battle: Los
Angeles, which was released in the United States on March 11, 2011. Ne-Yo has
already finished writing songs for American pop singer and Roc Nation artist
Alexis Jordan and her self-titled debut album as well as Jennifer Hudson for her
second studio album, I Remember Me, which had a North American release on March
22, 2011.
Ne-Yo appeared in the childrens
preschool show The Fresh Beat Band and is one of the few artists not to cancel
appearances in the wake of the 2011 Japan earthquake.[32]
In the spring of 2011, Ne-Yo
collaborated with American rapper Pitbull on his single, "Give Me Everything",
which has peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Ne-Yo his second
U.S. number-one single since 2006's "So Sick" and his first as a guest artist.
Ne-Yo has also revealed an interview that he would like to collaborate with
Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Drake on his new album.
Ne-Yo is currently making a mixtape
to give to fans before his forthcoming album. The Mixtape will be called "1O1"
and will be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. On October 13, 2011, Ne-Yo revealed
that his fifth studio album would be titled, The Cracks in Mr. Perfect, which is
expected to be released in early 2012. On Oct. 27, 2011, Ne-Yo dropped his first
single called "The Way You Move" featuring Trey Songz and T-Pain.[33] Ne-Yo has
recently left Def Jam & joined Universal Motown, which he will release his fifth
studio album off.
Other
ventures
Songwriting and production
Ne-Yo frequently co-writes with Tor
Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen of the Norwegian production team Stargate.
Ne-Yo met them in a hallway at Sony Music Studios in New York, and having known
the team produces R&B records, he decided to collaborate with them. The
collective's early works were tracks off In My Own Words including "So
Sick".[34]
Aside from working on his own
album, Ne-Yo also collaborates with several other artists. His works include:
Rihanna's top-ten singles "Unfaithful", "Russian Roulette" and her number-one
hit "Take a Bow", Mario Vazquez's "Gallery", Paula DeAnda's "Walk Away (Remember
Me)", and Beyoncé Knowles' Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Irreplaceable",
which stayed on the chart for ten consecutive weeks.[3] He wrote the song "I'm
You" for Leona Lewis's debut album Spirit, and is currently writing songs for
her next album and for the debut album of fellow X Factor winner Alexandra
Burke. He has also been working with Sugababes for their seventh album, with
member Keisha Buchanan confirming that Ne-Yo had written a song called 'No More
You' for their album.[35] In 2010, he dueted with Mariah Carey on 'Angel's Cry',
a song on her cancelled album, Angels Advocate. Ne-Yo has also written songs for
Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood Anastacia, Ciara, Corbin Bleu,
Enrique Iglesias and Dima Bilan.[3][36] He also collaborated with Lindsay Lohan
on her new material, having already finished "Bossy", a pre-single for her new
album Spirit in the Dark.[37] Ne-Yo confirmed that he had been contacted by
producer will.i.am to work on what would have been Michael Jackson's new
album.[38] However, at the time of Jackson's death, Ne-Yo's collaborations with
him had yet to move past the writing stage.[39] In an interview in 2010 he said
since Jackson's death he's been confused as what to do with the songs, as he
feels that selling them to another artist or even releasing the songs himself
would be disrespectful to Jackson legacy.[40] In 2009, he wrote "Truth (Saigo no
Shinjitsu)" for Japanese pop group w-inds..[41]
Ne-Yo ventured out to open his own
recording studio called Carrington House in Atlanta, Georgia.[42] He also had
started his own production company, Compound Entertainment, in 2007, and has
hired several producers and songwriters in hopes of turning it into a
full-fledge record label. It successfully became a label, and artists such as
Paula Campbell, Sixx John, and Shanell are now associated with Compound.[8][42]
Personal life
Family
In 2005, Ne-Yo's girlfriend at the
time gave birth to a boy, naming him Chimere after Ne-Yo's middle name.[3]
Though Ne-Yo believed he was the father, he later discovered the child was not
his. He is now in litigation with the child's mother.[43][44]
In June 2010, Ne-Yo told Ebony that
he and his thought to be girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, were expecting their first
child together, a girl due early in 2011.[45] Shaw gave birth early to a girl,
Madilyn Grace Smith, on November 12, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. Announcing the
birth, Ne-Yo said of his first child, "I've been in love before but this feels
like nothing I've ever felt...Like I'm in love for the first time."[46]
In September 2011, Ne-Yo revealed
that he is expecting his second child with Monyetta Shaw. Shaw gave birth to a
boy, Mason Evan Smith, on October 9, 2011[47]
Legal
issues
Ne-Yo was arrested for reckless
driving on February 19, 2008, while driving through Cobb County, Georgia. He was
driving at over 100 mph in his 2006 Range Rover and did not have a valid
license. It was reported that he was doing about 150 mph, 100 mph over the speed
limit. According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Ne-Yo was sentenced to 24
hours community service by a judge on June 2, 2008. He pleaded guilty to driving
without a license and pleaded "no contest" to the reckless driving charge.[48]
On August 22, 2011, Lindsay Lohan
sued Ne-Yo, Pitbull, and Afrojack in response to Give Me Everything's lyrics
referencing her name.[49]
Discography
Studio
albums
2006: In My Own Words
2007: Because of You
2008: Year of the Gentleman
2010: Libra Scale
2012: The Cracks In Mr Perfect
Filmography
|
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
|
2006 |
Save the Last Dance 2 |
Mixx |
Direct to video |
|
2007 |
Stomp the Yard |
Rich Brown |
Film[50] |
|
2011 |
CSI: NY |
The Handsome Man |
Episode 7.14 "Smooth Criminal"[51] |
|
2011 |
The Fresh Beat Band |
Himself |
Special episode "Band in a Jam"[52] |
|
2011 |
Battle: Los Angeles |
Specks |
Film[53] |
|
2012 |
Red Tails |
Andrew 'Smoky' Salem |
Film[54] |
|
2012 |
Good Deeds |
Jacob |
Film |
|
2012 |
I Heart Tuesdays |
None |
(TV), creator |
See
also
List of awards and nominations
received by Ne-Yo
References
1.^ Ne-Yo - bipgraphy, Allmusic.com
2.^
http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/artists-of-the-decade?year=2009&begin=21&order=position
3.^ a b c d Hobbs, Linda
(2007-02-27). "VIBE.com: Ne-Yo to VIBE: "I am NOT a Sex Addict"". Vibe. Archived
from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
4.^ "Ne-Yo: Grammy-winning singer
to perform at Halenbeck Hall". St. Cloud State University. 2008-09-25. Retrieved
2008-10-14.
5.^ a b Lo, Ricky (2008). "Let
Ne-Yo Love You". The Philippine Star (Philippines).
6.^ "Artist Biography | Ne-Yo
biography". Artists.letssingit.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
7.^ a b c d e f Reeves, Mosi
(2006-09-07). "Slick of It All". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
8.^ a b c Jones, Steve
(2007-05-15). "Ne-Yo keeps tunes coming". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
9.^ a b Kellman, Any. "Neyo:
Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
10.^ a b Reid, Shaheem. "Jay-Z’s
Picks: Teairra Mari, Rihanna, Ne-Yo". MTV. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
11.^ Scott, Kevin R. (October 24,
2005). "20 Questions with Ne-Yo". Vibe. Archived from the original on May 12,
2008.
12.^ Lorez, Jeff (2006). "Ne-Yo
2006 Interview". Soulmusic. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
13.^ Hasty, Katie (2006-03-08).
"Ne-Yo's 'Words' Speak Volumes At No. 1". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media,
Inc). Retrieved 2008-12-26.[dead link]
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"Ne-Yo Completes Chart Takeover With 'So Sick'". Billboard (Nielsen Business
Media, Inc). Retrieved 2008-12-26.[dead link]
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(2007-12-11). "Ne-Yo, The Goo Goo Dolls and, Oh, Yes, Barack". The New York
Times. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
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Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2008". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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Media, Inc). Retrieved 2008-12-25.
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"Year of the Gentleman : Ne-Yo : Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
22.^ Adler, Shawn (2008-12-04).
"Ne-Yo Was Blown Away By His Six Grammy Nods: 'One Nomination Would Have Been
Enough For Me'". MTV. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
23.^ "NE-YO: The Collection
[Limited Edition]". CDJapan.co.jp. Neowing. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
24.^ "NE-YO: The Collection
Complete Edition [SHM-CD] [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]". CDJapan.co.jp. Neowing.
Retrieved 2009-09-12.
25.^ "Oricon Ranking Search" (in
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
26.^ Hanna, Mitchell (2010-08-03).
"Tuesday Rap Release Dates: Kanye West, Big L, Gucci Mane, Black Milk | Get The
Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved
2011-03-13.
27.^ Posted by oddsman1 on
3/12/2011 4:03:00 PM. "Ne-Yo : Discography". Yearofthegentleman.com. Retrieved
2011-03-13.
28.^ Girl, Cosmo (2010-10-14).
"Highlights from Ne-Yo's NYC Concert". Seventeen. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
29.^ Nagy, Evie "Ne-Yo Teams Up
with Stan Lee at New York Comic Con" 11 October 2010
http://www.billboard.com/column/viralvideos/ne-yo-teams-up-with-stan-lee-at-new-york-1004120357.story#/column/viralvideos/ne-yo-teams-up-with-stan-lee-at-new-york-1004120357.story
30.^ Cope2, 09 October 2010
"COPE2,NE-YO,PHETUS SIGN IN AT ELITE GUDZ AT THE NEW YORK COMICCON!!!
SUCCESS!!!!!!"
http://www.12ozprophet.com/index.php/cope2/entry/cope2ne-yophetus_sign_in_at_elite_gudz_at_the_new_york_comiccon_success/
31.^ "Ne-Yo interview by Pete
Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' August 2010". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
32.^ "Ne-Yo: I had to perform in
Japan". Musicrooms.net. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
33.^
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-way-you-move-feat.-trey/id478214681
34.^ Sisario, Ben (2007-05-06).
"Wizards in the Studio, Anonymous on the Street". The New York Times. Retrieved
2008-12-25.
35.^ "Sugababes reveal all their
gossip". BBC News. July 9, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
36.^ McDonald, Sam (2007-05-30).
"The many roles of Ne-Yo". Daily Press (AccessMyLibrary). Retrieved 2008-12-24.
37.^ Laudadio, Marisa; Herndon,
Jessica (2008-05-07). "Listen to Lindsay Lohan's New Song 'Bossy'". People.
Retrieved 2008-12-24.
38.^ "Ne-Yo: 'I'm Not Trying To
Top 'Thriller'". Starpulse. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
39.^ "Michael Jackson Tribute Tour
by The Jacksons, Final Collaborations With NeYo'". 2009-07-03. Retrieved
2009-07-03.
40.^ "Ne-Yo 'Doesn't Know What To
Do' With Songs He Wrote For Michael Jacksondate". MTV. 2010-07-29. Retrieved
2010-07-29.
41.^ "Oricon Style – United States
R&B Artist Ne-Yo adds another name to w-inds. roster(Japanese)". 2009-10-30.
Retrieved 2009-10-31.
42.^ a b Frezza, Robert
(2007-05-29). "Ne-Yo To Open Carrington House Studio". Soulshine. Retrieved
2007-09-30.
43.^ Gardner, Elysa (2008-10-31).
"R&B star Ne-Yo flaunts his gentlemanly style". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
44.^ Honey (2010-02-22). "You ARE
the FATHER?! Ne-Yo Expecting a Baby With Girlfriend Monetta style". Honey.
Retrieved 2010-11-22.
45.^ "Ne-Yo Expecting First
Child". TVGuide.com.
46.^ "Ne-Yo Is a New Father".
People. November 13, 2010.
47.^ Ravitz, Justin (September 19,
2011). "Exclusive: Ne-Yo Is Engaged – and Expecting Second Child!". Us Weekly.
Retrieved September 21, 2011.
48.^ TMZ staff (2008-02-22).
"Cops: Ne-Yo Was Driving CRAZY!". TMZ. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
49.^ "Lindsay Lohan sues Pitbull -
MSN Music News". Music.msn.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
50.^ Carroll, Larry (January 3,
2007). "Ne-Yo, Chris Brown Open Up About Stepping Up For Stomp The Yard". MTV.
Retrieved August 26, 2011.
51.^ Abrams, Natalie (November 30,
2010). "Ne-Yo to Guest-Star on CSI: NY". TV Guide. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
52.^ Seidman, Robert (May 17,
2011). "Ne-Yo Guest Stars in an Hour-Long Special of Nickelodeon's The Fresh
Beat Band on June 24". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
53.^ "Battle: Los Angeles Review".
(March 10, 2011). IGN. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
54.^ "Red Tails Finishes Casting
and Begins Production". (April 6, 2009). StarWars.com. Retrieved August 25,
2011.
****
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