Ne-Yo is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, dancer, and television judge, who is well recognized for his hit song, “Let Me Love You”, which he penned for singer Mario in 2004. Having his career started with a band named “Envy” which separated in 2000, Ne-Yo has come a long way up becoming one of the best singers in his decade long career.
Ne-Yo got his initial breakthrough with the release of his debut studio album, “In My Own Words”(2006) which reached no. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart getting certified platinum, followed with the success of the single “So Sick”, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 as well.
He has released altogether 7 studio albums, many of which get certified platinum and receiving several Grammy nominations as well. He also has acted in films like ‘Stomp the Yard’, ‘Battle: Los Angeles’, ‘Red Tails’, ‘Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!’. He even won the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2012.
Currently, Nee-Yo serves as a judge for the reality competition series, “World of Dance” alongside Jennifer Lopez and Derek Hough.
What is Ne-Yo Famous for?
- Famous for his hit song, “Let Me Love You” and “So Sick”.
Where was Ne-Yo Born?
Ne-Yo was born on October 18, 1979, in Camden, Arkansas, United States. His birth name is Shaffer Chimere Smith. His nationality is American. Ne-Yo belongs to African-American ethnicity while Libra is his zodiac sign.
Ne-Yo was born as the son of a music loving family to an African-American mother and Afro-American and Chinese descent father. Both his parents were musicians, however, her mother separated from his father when they moved to Las Vegas along with Smith.
Belonging to a family with a musical background, Smith developed an interest in singing and songwriting since his childhood. His mother also motivated him to work on his skills and pursue his passion as his career.
He then joined the Las Vegas Academy eventually joining an R&B group called “Envy” with a stage name “GoGo”, however, the band got disbanded in 2000. Despite the disbanding, Smith continued to write songs for other artists before starting his solo career. Soon he got signed by Columbia Records, but the label dropped him even before the release of his already-recorded first album.
Source: @zimbio
Ne-Yo’s Career Highlights
- Ne-Yo started his career initially as a songwriter as his written song, “The Girl” which Marques Houston re-recorded and released in 2003 was a hit leading Ne-Yo to become a top songwriter.
- He got his initial breakthrough when he wrote “Let Me Love You” for American singer Mario, which even reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
- He then got signed by Def Jam Recording releasing his debut album titled “In My Own Words” in 2006 along with the hit single, “SO Sick”. The album debuted at number one on Billboard 200 followed by the no. 1 spot of the single on Billboard Hot 100.
- His second album, “Because of You”, was released on May 1, 2007. It was also a hit album reaching no.1 spot again on Billboard 200 receiving the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 50th Grammy Awards.
- During the time, he also wrote Michael Jackson’s “Black Eyed Peas”, Rihanna’s ‘” Take A Bow” and “Unfaithful”, Mario Vasquez’s “Gallery” and Beyonce Knowles’ “Irreplaceable”.
- His third album, “Year of the Gentleman”, was released on August 5, 2008, which was also certified platinum.
- On September 2, 2009, Ne-Yo released the greatest hits album, “Ne-Yo: The Collection” in Japan, followed by singles like “Beautiful Monster,” “Champagne Life” and “One in a Million,”.
- In June 2010, Ne-Yo released the single “Beautiful Monster”, becoming his first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart.
- The same year, he released his fourth studio album, “Libra Scale”.
- In 2011, Ne-Yo collaborated with American rapper Pitbull and Nayer on his single “Give Me Everything”, marking his second US no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- On September 18, 2012, Ne-Yo released his fifth studio album, “Realizing Every Dream – R.E.D”. The album was an international success led with its lead single “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)”.
- In March 2013, Ne-Yo collaborated with Akon on David Guetta’s single “Play Hard”.
- His sixth studio album, “Non-Fiction” was released on January 27, 2015.
- His seventh studio album, “Good Man” was released on June 8, 2018, along with the single, “Earn Your Love” and “Another Love Song”.
- Ne-Yo also has starred as the Tin Man in NBC’s musical telecast adaptation of “The Wiz”.
- He also appeared in an episode of season 7 of “CSI: NY” and “The Fresh Beat Band”.
- On March 27, 2020, Ne-Yo collaborated with Jamaican dancehall singer Charly Black for a new single, Over Again.
Source: @bckonline
Ne-Yo’s Wife and Children
Ne-Yo has been married for just once to his beautiful wife, Crystal Renay Williams. Crystal is an American television personality, author, entrepreneur, and former model who is well-known for appearing in the popular reality TV show, “The Platinum Life”.
In September 2015, Ne-Yo announced that he and Crystal were engaged and expecting a child together. He was the one who proposed first while they were in a hotel room. On her 29th birthday, Ne-Yo proposed to her again with a fancy diamond ring.
He also bought her a lavish mansion in Los Angeles shortly after the couple got married on February 20, 2016, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They welcomed their first child Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. on March 15, 2016, followed by the birth of their second child, Roman Alexander-Raj Smith, on June 14, 2018.
After almost 4 years of their marriage, in February 2020, Ne-Yo announced getting separated apart from his wife but their divorce didn’t happen as they reconciled amid the COVID-19. Currently, the couple is living a blissful life along with their children.
Previously, Ne-Yo was engaged to his then-girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, with whom he shares two children; daughter Madilyn Grace Smith on November 12, 2010, followed by the birth of a son, Mason Evan Smith on October 9, 2011. Despite having children, the couple separated and Ne-Yo started dating his current wife, Crystal.
Even before that, he dated Jessica White, with whom he supposedly had a boy, Chimere, while later it was discovered that he wasn’t the actual father of the child.
Back on February 19, 2008, Ne-Yo was arrested for reckless driving and driving without a valid license, later on, August 22, 2011, Ne-Yo was sued along with rapper Pitbull and DJ Afrojack by actress Lindsay Lohan, for using her name in the lyrics.
Source: @dailymail
Ne-Yo’s Net Worth
Ne-Yo has quite good earnings from his professional career as a singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. Having his professional career started in 1998, Ne-Yo has come a long way up becoming one of the recognized singers and songwriters in his 20 years long career.
His source of income is surely his albums, self-written songs, and few movies. With his hard work for years, Ne-Yo undoubtedly has managed to amass a healthy fortune estimated to be around $10 million as of 2020.
Ne-Yo’s Height
Ne-Yo is a good-looking man with a well maintained athletic body physique in his 40s. He stands tall with a height of 5ft. 8inch.(1.73m) while his body weighs around 72kg(152 lbs). His body measurement includes a chest size of 38 inches, 34 inches waist, and 15 inches bicep size. He has a brown complexion with bald hair and brown eyes.
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