Featured Artist
Grammy Award winner Ne-Yo needs little introduction. As famous for penning career-reviving mega-hits as he is for his own sultry releases, Ne-Yo's music has an eternal sound that defies boundaries and genres.
His name sums it up - Ne-Yo can see music the way Keanu Reeves from the hit trilogy can see the Matrix, and his impression on audiences and artists alike since his 2006 multi-platinum chart topping debut, In My Own Words is testimony that his name is no thoughtless moniker.
With Ne-Yo's third disc, Year of the Gentleman, the Las Vegas native has composed and constructed a suite of songs that shows exactly what he means by class. Influenced by his own fascination with the Rat Pack, Ne-Yo explains, "For me, the sharpness of Sammy and Sinatra is the kind of style I strive for in clothes and music. Year of the Gentleman is named in honor of those guys."
Another significant stimulus for the new album came from Ne-Yo's frustration with the sloppiness of current R&B. "Years ago, if you weren't wearing the right suit or have a correct crease in your pants, you couldn't even get in the door-let alone on stage to perform."
Ne-Yo pushes his boundaries further than ever before on the first single 'Closer'. Produced by Stargate, Ne-Yo explores an electro-excursion in the glam of Euro-disco. "I just love the beat on that record," says Ne-Yo. "When I was hanging-out in clubs in London, everything had energy. I wanted to merge that sound with American soul music, and 'Closer' is the end result."
"I will always try to do something different. It's the whole essence of being an artist, evolution. Instead of giving them that 'same ol' urban music, Imma switch it up, try to add to the 'urban' sound, expanding the minds and outlooks of music lovers."
In addition to working on his new collection, he toured nationally, made multiple appearances TV appearances and penned lyrics for Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion as well as the chart topping, Grammy nominated song 'Irreplaceable' for Beyonce.
"I don't know what puts certain ideas in my head when I'm writing," explains Ne-Yo. "Sometimes I see a picture in a magazine, a painting in a museum or a word on a page, and that's all I need to trigger the thoughts."
Moving beyond the competition by just being himself, Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman is right on time to usher in a new era of 'world music'.
By Penny Newton
For more on Ne-Yo get to www.defjam.com or www.neyoworld.com
Treat your ears to a listen of Ne-Yo's new single 'Closer'
