The Music of Ne-Yo : The 'Ear' of the Gentleman

For his first hit single, he sang:

‘And I am so sick of love songs

So tired of tears

So done with wishing

You were still here.’

Despite being 'so sick' , he has ironically gone and penned some of best love songs for himself and for other artists. And in the process has had multi platinum albums, No:1 hits and Grammy nominations.

He is one of the best singer song-writers to emerge in the recent times captured my interest and loyalty with a series of melodious, elegantly written love songs as well as catchy, captivating dance numbers.

I am astonished at his range and abilities. It is a rare talent that can write and perform. It is even rarer to see someone whose writing is so rich and his ability to collaborate with many current his artists is so sublime, even if you didn’t know who he is, you are certain to have heard his words through one singer or another.

Anyone who has seen the Matrix will remember that scene in the claustrophobic hotel corridor. Neo Anderson, the self doubting ‘one’ who is convinced he is not the messiah everyone thinks he is, watches the two agents of destruction rush towards him.

Suddenly it clicks. He could see them for what they are. He could see every alphanumeric squiggle that comprises the matrix. He could see the intricate details, the nuances, the cunning defences and the expansive construct that is the very ‘Matrix’ itself. He could see the truth.

Producer Big D Evans, who worked with Shaffer Chimere Smith, jr., was astonished at how much the young singer songwriter understood music. Smith could conjure up lyrics at a blink of an eye. He knew how the words fitted around the tune and vice versa. His musicality was nothing short of astounding. Big D, felt that Smith could ‘see’ music for what it is. He understood the nuances the catchy hooks and the emotion contained within so well. Big D teasingly called Smith ’ Ne-Yo’, as he felt the young singer saw music just like Neo Anderson saw the Matrix.

The name stuck. Shaffer Chimere Smith, became Ne-Yo and was launched into the music world.

Born on October 18^th 1982 in Camden Arkansas, Shaffer Chimere Smith a.k.a. Ne-Yo, grew up with musical parents. His mother, of African-American and mixed Chinese descent separated from his African-American father when Ne-Yo was young. Both his parents were musicians.

Mother and son relocated to Las Vegas, where his mother hoped to seek new opportunities while bringing her talented son as a single parent.

While still in school Ne-Yo was in a band called Envy. They disbanded in 2000 and Ne-Yo started song writing for other artists before embarking on a solo career of his own.

Ne-Yo first broke into big time by penning the hit song ‘Let me Love you’ for singer Mario. The song went into Billboard chart's at No:1. The success of this song led to a contract with Columbia records to pen his own album. However, despite recording a full album he was dropped by his record label unceremoniously.

One of the tracks from this unreleased album called ‘That Girl’ was released by Marques Houston in his album MH and became a hit and Ne-Yo was soon writing songs for top billing.

He continued writing for singers such as  Christina Milian, Mary J Blige and Faith Evans.

In 2006 Ne-Yo released his first album, ‘In my own words’. The single ‘So sick’ went into no:1 in billboard charts and so did the album which rapidly went platinum. Enjoying much radio play, this song established Ne-Yo as one to watch for.

The Second Album, ‘Because of You’ followed in 2007 and also debuted at no:1 in the charts boosted by the success of the title track. However, the other tracks failed to reach top levels of the charts.

It was with his 3^rd album that Ne-Yo hit the dizzy heights of superstardom. 2008 was, truly, The Year of the Gentleman. The album established his image of a suave rat-pack type suited gentleman, shedding his bad boy hip-hop image. Gone were the loose clothes and bling replaced by tailored suits and a trilby.

The album went multi platinum fuelled by such mega hits as ‘Closer’, ‘Miss Independent’ and ‘Mad’

The album was nominated forBest 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.

On hearing Closer, I was hooked. It has a beautifully melodic tune wrapped in a catchy beat and showcases his musical sensibilities.

‘Turn the lights off in this place

And she shines just like a star

And I swear I know her face

I just don’t know who you are

Turn the music up in here

I still hear her loud and clear

Like she’s right there in my ear...’

Miss Independent, with its catchy riffs and suave lyrics firmly made me a fan. They were so far removed from the hip –hops misogynistic mating calls.

‘Said ooh it’s somethin’ about

Kinda woman that want you but don’t need you

Hey, I can’t figure it out

There’s somethin’ about her...

She got her own thing

That’s why I love her

Miss Independent

Wont you come and spend a little time?’

On Nov 22 2010 Ne-You released his third album ‘Libra Scale’ .

The single ‘Beautiful Monster'debuted at no:1 in UK charts.

The second and third singles ‘ Champagne Life’ and ‘ 'One in a Million’ have also been released.

The videos are unique in the sense they follow the same story throughout with same characters , based around a sci-fi concept.

With its catchy beat and danceable tune it is no wonder this went straight to number one in several charts. It has a good video and a hummable riff.

'All my life, and the hereafter

I've never seen someone like you

You're a knife, sharp and deadly

And its me, that you cut into

But I don't mind, in fact I like it

I'm terrified, I'm turned on but scared of you...'

Catchy again, nice dance moves and watchable video too.

'All the girls dont matter

in your presence can't do what you do

There's a million girls around but I dont

see no one else but you'

indeed. The video evidence proves otherwise, Mr Smith.

He is certainly not sick of churning out hit after hit, not only for himself but to an astonishing array of diverse artists such as Beyonce, Mariah Carey , Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias, Rick Ross, Mario Vasquez and even a Japanese pop group W-inds.

My favourite of his song writing/singing collaborations is the duet with Rihanna ’ Hate that I love you’ that is so haunting and beautifully sung. The lyrics don’t always jump out on paper but in song it is expressed so beautifully. Ne-Yo can surely see music.

‘That’s how much I love you

That’s how much I need you

And I can’t stand ya

Most everything you do, makes me wanna smile

Can I not like it for a while?'

Ne-Yo is currently touring and is also workign on his 5th Studio album tentatively called 'Love and Passion'.

He has also expanded his versatility and has been steadinly accumulating appearances in films such as 'Stomp the Yard', 'Save the Last Dance 2' and has appeared in an episode of CSI :NY as a hitman ( episode 7:14). He has contributed to sound track for some of these and most notably wrote and sang the song Never Knew I needed for Disney's Princess and the Frog.

He is starring in two forthcoming feature films Red tails and Battefield: Los Angeles.

He is currently also working on songs for Cheryl Cole, Sugababes, Alexandra Burke among many others . He was also co-writing the album for Michael Jackson before his untimely death. It is not sure whetehr any songs were already written for this work.

He has been working also been producing for the troubled actor Lindsay Lohan's debut album, Spirit of the dark.

He has his started own production company and label , Compound Entertainment with a view to introducing new talent.

The boy certainly never stops!

I hope you enjoyed this hub on Ne-Yo whether you were familiar with his work or new to his music.

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Thank you very much for your visit and do come again.

Much appreciated.

Docmo

Copyright © Mohan Kumar 2011