Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18, 1979), better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer/song writer, record producer, actor, and occasional rapper. Since his debut, Ne-Yo has amassed seven top ten songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and two number-one albums on the Billboard 200. Ne-Yo has also amassed a catalog of chart-topping songs that he has written for other artists.
Ne-Yo broke into the recording industry as a songwriter, penning the hit as "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 label head to signing a recording contract. He released in 2006 his debut album, In My Own Words, which contained the US number-one hit "So Sick".
Aside from working on his own album, Ne-Yo also collaborated with several other artist and has been known to produce hits. His works also include: Rihanna's top-ten single "Unfaithful" and later her number-one hit "Take A Bow" in 2008, Mario Vazquez's "Gallery", Paula Deanda's "Walk Away (Remember Me), and Beyonce Knowles Billboard Hot 100 ten-week number-one hit "Irreplaceable".
Ne-Yo has also written songs for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Cordin Bleu, and Enrique Iglesias. He also collaborated with Lindsay Lohan on her new material, having already finished "Bossy", a pre-single for her new album Spirt In The Dark. Ne-Yo confirmed that he has been contacted by producer will.i.am to work on Michael Jackson's upcoming album. His latest reported venture is with controversial and media loving industrial-metal star Marilyn Manson, after professing in an interview a desire to work with him.
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