Ne-Yo

When you co-write the most-played song in radio history, what do you do for an encore? The young R&B singer-songwriter called Ne-Yo (after Keanu Reeves' character in the Matrix movies) is about to answer that question with the release of his debut album In My Own Words, Feb. 28 on Def Jam Recordings.

At the tender age of 23, the Arkansas native (real name: Shaffer C. Smith) has already made music history for co-writing the hit "Let Me Love You" for Mario with superstar producer Scott Storch. "Let Me Love You" became the #1 radio anthem of 2004, garnering 189.5 million listeners in one week, the most spins in chart history.

Now, Ne-Yo is bringing his silky smooth tenor to his own hits, starting with his debut single "So Sick," a song about a guy who's so lovesick he can't even listen to love songs anymore, because they all remind him of the girl he wants. Fortunately for the rest of us, in real life Ne-Yo still likes love songs just fine, along with all sorts of other kinds of rap, hip-hop and R&B. Here's his "Top Ten Playlist" of favorite songs...an ARTISTdirect exclusive!

1. Prince - “Joy in Repetition” - Like the way it's written, not even a song, kind of like a rant, no cadence, just ranting.

2. Stevie Wonder - “Ribbon in the Sky” - Beautiful song from lyrics to melody, song from the heart.

3. Tears for Fears - “Head over Heels” - Like the melody and the dude’s voice.

4. Jodeci - “Feenin” - Traditional R&B sex song.

5. Boyz II Men - “Water Runs Dry” - Love the melodies, music, way put together, sounds like a march.

6. Jay-Z - “Feelin’ It” - Best written song by Jay-Z.

7. A Tribe Called Quest - “Electric Relaxation" - Really like the music.

8. Busta Rhymes - “Woo Ha!!” - Like how creative Busta is in the song.

9. Busta Rhymes - “Touch It” - Love how creative it is and he’s one of my favorite rappers of all time.

10. Jay-Z - “Public Service Announcement” - Favorite rapper of all time.

Ne-Yo's album In My Own Words is available now in the ARTISTdirect Store.

Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Smith in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. His start in the music industry came as a songwriter. Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me Love You," one of the most-played songs on urban radio stations across the U.S. In My Own Words, the second album he recorded but the first one to be released, came out in early 2006 and reached the top of the charts, supported by the number one hit "So Sick." During the same year, he appeared on Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy and Ghostface Killah's Fishscale, and he had a hand in writing a pair of Top Ten hits: Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Unfaithful." Because of You, his second album, followed in May 2007. It went to number one on the Billboard 200 and Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts as well, with its upbeat title track topping out at number two on the Hot 100. Year of the Gentleman was issued in September 2008, but not before another series of songwriting triumphs, including Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight." He has also written for Marques Houston, Cassidy, Heather Headley, Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Janet Jackson, and Leona Lewis. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide