Ne-Yo is a Grammy Award winning American
R&B recording artist, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor.
Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo wrote the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario.
-Wikipedia
Birth Name: Shaffer Chimere Smith
Born: October 18, 1982 (age 42)
From: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Children: Madilyn Grace Smith, Mason Evan Smith
Genre(s):
R&B,
pop,
hip hop,
soul,
dance
Instrument(s):
Vocals,
guitar,
piano
Occupation(s):
Singer-songwriter,
record producer,
dancer,
actor
Active From: 2005-present
Associated Acts:
50 Cent,
Afrojack,
Anastacia,
Beyonce Knowles,
Bridget Kelly,
Calvin Harris,
Celine Dion,
Chris Brown,
Conor Maynard,
David Guetta,
Jamie Foxx,
Jay-Z,
Jennifer Hudson,
Jessica Sanchez,
Kanye West,
Keri Hilson,
Mariah Carey,
Pitbull,
Rick Ross,
Rihanna,
Timbaland,
T-Pain,
Trey Songz,
Wiz Khalifa
Awards:
2008 - MTV Video Music Award Japan for Best Male Video Because of You -
Grammy Award for Male R&B Vocal Solo: Miss Independent
2007 -
MTV Video Music Award Japan for Best New Artist in a Video"So Sick" -
Mobo Award for Best Song "Because of You"
Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for Because of You
BET Award for Best Male RB Artist
Mobo Award for Best R&B
Soul Train Music Award for Best RB/Soul or Rap New Artist
Quotes:
"A huge difference between songwriting and being a singer. A songwriter can have a normal life. You're an ordinary
person. But as an artist, somethings can't be ignored. You have to make sure you look like a million bucks.
There's a certain image you have to maintain. It was a difficult transition, but I'm actually learning to love
the spotlight."
"The key to a good song is to find a way to say something in a different way.Find something related to the
people you're trying to reach. Find your own niche. It's difficult. I recommend honing your skills and be
the best you can be until your opportunity comes along. When opportunity comes, make sure you're on
top of your game."
-Neyo on songwriting
"Something that a lot of people don't know is that I have a five-month old son. Any free time I have now is spent
with him. A few people suggested to me that I should try and hide the fact that I have a son because it
might damage my career. But as far as I'm concerned, to hide it would suggest that I was ashamed and I'm not
ashamed. I love my son. Me and his mum aren't in a relationship. We're actually best friends. We've known each
other for years and years and never ever wanted to be in a relationship with each other.
But the one time we... got physical, she fell pregnant. Of course, we did a lot of talking to decide how
we were gonna handle the situation. We weren't about to start a relationship for the sake of the child 'cos
that's not what either of us wanted. So I just said, 'You be mum, I'll be dad and let's just raise a son.'
And though we're not together, that's exactly what we're doing."
"In songwriting, it's natural to make music for yourself. The hardest thing was finding balance between
making music [for myself] and something the consumer can enjoy."