“Can this artist stand the test of time?” That is a question that a lot of music execs ponder when going over new talent. Such was the case with 23-year-old, Shaffer Smith. The Las Vegas crooner’s first full-length album was never released by Columbia Records – even after penning a number one song. You know the song – Let Me Love You performed by another R&B balladeer – Mario.
“Can this artist stand out?” A few years ago, your favorite songs were done courtesy of Murder Inc.. But now with the emergence of talented newcomers – Chris Brown and Trey Songz; the question is does the young songwriting prodigy have the talent to be a superstar?
“Can this artist deliver?” His first single, “Stay”, was a blip on the radar on both television and radio, making it hard to understand the image that was being presented. Was he a continuation of the R&B/Hip-Hop hybrid? A Ja Rule and Ashanti merged into one? Def Jam recording artist, Ne-Yo, has a lot to prove. Will his arrival continue to breathe life into creative freedom? Or will Ne-Yo fail to deliver on his prophecy, forever trapping us within the matrix?
Ne-Yo chops it up with HHDX.com as he talks about his early influences, how he’s striving for balance between his two distinct personalities, and why he’ll never get “So Sick” of Beyoncé’s singing.
In your press release, it says that you started writing at an early age – how old were you and who were your writing influences growing up?
Ne-Yo: The first song that I ever wrote was when I was five years old and I ran into my mother’s room. I sang her a song that I made up about – it was a song about mustard. After that, it was around the age of 15 when I started taking it seriously. My mom had actually got me into writing. Growing up, I was a very emotional kid. My parent’s relationship was messed up. Honestly, after that – I had become an angry kid. So, what she did was encourage me to write. She literally put the paper and pad in my hand and told me to write. In the beginning, it started out as me writing just journal entries, then it turned into poems, eventually it evolved into songs. I had always looked up to Diane Warren – she’s a phenomenal talent. I also always looked up to Stevie Wonder. That man can speak directly to the human heart. R. Kelly is so diverse. He can do a song for the hood and then turn around and do a song like, “I Believe I Can Fly”. Prince, I love Prince – I love him to death. In my opinion, he’s the complete package. A singer, songwriter, dancer, plays all of his own instruments, an actor -- that is a legacy that I aspire to follow and continue.
“So Sick” is a refreshing song, written from an interesting perspective – how did that song come about? Where do you find your inspiration?
Ne-Yo: “So Sick” is a song that wrote itself. It’s a song about the first girl that I fell in love with and how I messed it up. I was 18 years old – I couldn’t admit it then, but I can now – I listened to my friends and in their book, she was public enemy #1 in their eyes. I mean… I allowed them to convince me to cheat on her. After awhile the guilt hit me and with me being the guy that I am, I confessed, hoping that she’d give me the benefit of the doubt.
So… what’d she say?
Ne-Yo: She basically expressed her undying hate for me. It was the worst, absolute worst pain that I thought that I could feel. I disowned my friends, I blamed them and I even blamed her. “So Sick” was a little therapeutic. You got to keep going and keep it moving.
Has she called you… hit you up, or anything?
Ne-Yo: Nah! She hasn’t gotten in touch with me. It’s not like she doesn’t know that the song is about her. Check it, July 15th, was really our anniversary. The part about the answering machine is really real. But it’s all good, though. I’m good.
Being signed to Def Jam and its machine – how do you think that that will affect your career?
Ne-Yo: Honestly with LA Reid in my corner – he’s responsible for so many careers. The man knows his R&B music. Then you have Jay-Z, who’s one of the coolest people in the world. All he [Jay] has to say is that something is hot – and the whole world will respond to it and love it. I feel like I have an advantage in this game over most artists because I write my own songs.
You say that you have to get used to being known – would you rather have the notoriety of being a great songwriter without having the celebrity that comes along with it?
Ne-Yo: I kind of like it both now. If you would’ve asked me that question four months ago, I would’ve loved to have been known as just the songwriter. I was cool with being a regular dude – doing regular things. Plus, I was making more money than the artists that I was writing for. There is also a lot of bull that comes with being an artist. But honestly, now, getting on stage and literally have people sing the entire “So Sick” song without me singing a note has been a rush. In fact, one of the best experiences so far wasn’t even at a show, it was Jay-Z’s birthday party. They played “So Sick” and Beyoncé actually sang the song to me.
Big Homie was upset about that?
Ne-Yo: Nope. Jay knows what time it is. He doesn’t get upset about stuff like that.
Okay… This question is kind of off subject but – the girl in the “Stay” video – how was it working with her and will she be in any more of your videos?
Ne-Yo: Taneisha Scott. She’s a choreographer. She does a lot of Sean Paul’s stuff. She’s developed her own fame off of that “Stay” video. She actually has a movie coming out. She’s was on tour with me, but I guess she’s gotten to big to do that anymore [laughs].
Aside from your album, you’re on a track with Ghostface. How was that experience and is there anyone else that you’d like to work with?
Ne-Yo: Yeah, I’d love to do a song with Method Man, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, the list goes on and on and on. Me and LL Cool J just did the remix to “So Sick”. I feel like anyone that’s down to work with me can come work with me, let’s grind.
Being relatively young in the game and having aspirations of being in the music business – what were some of the obstacles that you faced?
Ne-Yo: A lot of people didn’t think that the stuff I wrote was hot. They didn’t like the way that I sounded or the way that I looked. But that’s haters, though. If an atomic bomb was to drop tomorrow, the only thing that would be around would be cockroaches… and haters.
Def Jam’s legacy is built upon platinum hits and legendary stars – although your career is just beginning its impact can be felt deep. Looking ahead to the future – what do you think is next for Ne-Yo?
Ne-Yo: I’m about to do a few movies. I have a small role in the sequel to “Save the Last Dance”. In the movie, I have five lines. The character that I play -- his name is Mick. He’s the owner of the club that everyone is dancing in. I’ll probably be doing something associated with the soundtrack to the film. I am also going to be in this movie called, “Step Show”. It stars up-and-coming actor, Columbus Short and it also has Meagan Goode, Angela Bassett and myself in a supporting role. It’ll be a bigger role than the one that I play in “Save the Last Dance” part two. The album came out last week on February 28th. I’m also going to try and see if I could possibly do a tour with Mary J. Blige. I have a bunch of stuff coming up.
Aside from being Ne-Yo, the singer/songwriter/performer, who is Shaffer C. Smith – the man behind the image?
Ne-Yo: Let me get this straight… Shaffer is more the songwriter. He’s the dude who doesn’t mind not being in the spotlight. It’s because he’s such a regular dude; and he’s the person who I was before the artist came out. Ne-Yo is the artist. He’s the one who loves to talk to people, the one who loves to perform and dance in front of crowds. Between the two entities, I struggle to find the balance, but I’m working on it.
The R&B game has stepped up with songs from Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and a few others – do you believe that the music has made a jump forward? If so, in what way?
Ne-Yo: I think that back in the day, not even back in the day, you could turn on the radio and if you heard ten songs, nine of them were Hip-Hop songs. You’d more likely have an R&B singer on a Hip-Hop song performing on the track. I think that it [R&B] left for that time being because it wasn’t about the love. It was more so for the money. I made sure that when I did this album that I was doing it because of the love that I have for the art form. If there was no money in making music, I’d still do it because I love it passionately. I’m cool with Chris Brown and Trey Songz, I know that they feel the same way.
Five years from now, what do you see yourself doing?
Ne-Yo: I’m never going to stop music. I’ll still be writing music and coming out with songs that reflect my life. I have my record company called, Compound Entertainment. In five years, I hope that we’ll be up there with the Def Jam’s, the Bad Boy’s, and the J Records. I am also in the work of getting my clothing label off the ground. I hope that in five years, it would be out there, competing alongside the Sean John’s, the Rocawear’s, and the Phat Farm’s. I also have a son – who in five years will be five years old. At the end of the day, I still want to continue onward in my career and continue to make an impact as long as I am happy.
Last question, is there anything that you’d like to say to your fans and the readers here at HHDX.com?
Ne-Yo: I want to let the people know, that if you want to know more about me – check out the website at http://www.neyoworld.com. Please support the album. It came out on February 28th – again, it’s called – “In My Own Words”. Thank you so much for the support, HHDX.com – as long as you keep supporting me, then I’ll keep bringing the world that music from my soul.
“Can this artist stand out?” A few years ago, your favorite songs were done courtesy of Murder Inc.. But now with the emergence of talented newcomers – Chris Brown and Trey Songz; the question is does the young songwriting prodigy have the talent to be a superstar?
“Can this artist deliver?” His first single, “Stay”, was a blip on the radar on both television and radio, making it hard to understand the image that was being presented. Was he a continuation of the R&B/Hip-Hop hybrid? A Ja Rule and Ashanti merged into one? Def Jam recording artist, Ne-Yo, has a lot to prove. Will his arrival continue to breathe life into creative freedom? Or will Ne-Yo fail to deliver on his prophecy, forever trapping us within the matrix?
Ne-Yo chops it up with HHDX.com as he talks about his early influences, how he’s striving for balance between his two distinct personalities, and why he’ll never get “So Sick” of Beyoncé’s singing.
In your press release, it says that you started writing at an early age – how old were you and who were your writing influences growing up?
Ne-Yo: The first song that I ever wrote was when I was five years old and I ran into my mother’s room. I sang her a song that I made up about – it was a song about mustard. After that, it was around the age of 15 when I started taking it seriously. My mom had actually got me into writing. Growing up, I was a very emotional kid. My parent’s relationship was messed up. Honestly, after that – I had become an angry kid. So, what she did was encourage me to write. She literally put the paper and pad in my hand and told me to write. In the beginning, it started out as me writing just journal entries, then it turned into poems, eventually it evolved into songs. I had always looked up to Diane Warren – she’s a phenomenal talent. I also always looked up to Stevie Wonder. That man can speak directly to the human heart. R. Kelly is so diverse. He can do a song for the hood and then turn around and do a song like, “I Believe I Can Fly”. Prince, I love Prince – I love him to death. In my opinion, he’s the complete package. A singer, songwriter, dancer, plays all of his own instruments, an actor -- that is a legacy that I aspire to follow and continue.
“So Sick” is a refreshing song, written from an interesting perspective – how did that song come about? Where do you find your inspiration?
Ne-Yo: “So Sick” is a song that wrote itself. It’s a song about the first girl that I fell in love with and how I messed it up. I was 18 years old – I couldn’t admit it then, but I can now – I listened to my friends and in their book, she was public enemy #1 in their eyes. I mean… I allowed them to convince me to cheat on her. After awhile the guilt hit me and with me being the guy that I am, I confessed, hoping that she’d give me the benefit of the doubt.
So… what’d she say?
Ne-Yo: She basically expressed her undying hate for me. It was the worst, absolute worst pain that I thought that I could feel. I disowned my friends, I blamed them and I even blamed her. “So Sick” was a little therapeutic. You got to keep going and keep it moving.
Has she called you… hit you up, or anything?
Ne-Yo: Nah! She hasn’t gotten in touch with me. It’s not like she doesn’t know that the song is about her. Check it, July 15th, was really our anniversary. The part about the answering machine is really real. But it’s all good, though. I’m good.
Being signed to Def Jam and its machine – how do you think that that will affect your career?
Ne-Yo: Honestly with LA Reid in my corner – he’s responsible for so many careers. The man knows his R&B music. Then you have Jay-Z, who’s one of the coolest people in the world. All he [Jay] has to say is that something is hot – and the whole world will respond to it and love it. I feel like I have an advantage in this game over most artists because I write my own songs.
You say that you have to get used to being known – would you rather have the notoriety of being a great songwriter without having the celebrity that comes along with it?
Ne-Yo: I kind of like it both now. If you would’ve asked me that question four months ago, I would’ve loved to have been known as just the songwriter. I was cool with being a regular dude – doing regular things. Plus, I was making more money than the artists that I was writing for. There is also a lot of bull that comes with being an artist. But honestly, now, getting on stage and literally have people sing the entire “So Sick” song without me singing a note has been a rush. In fact, one of the best experiences so far wasn’t even at a show, it was Jay-Z’s birthday party. They played “So Sick” and Beyoncé actually sang the song to me.
Big Homie was upset about that?
Ne-Yo: Nope. Jay knows what time it is. He doesn’t get upset about stuff like that.
Okay… This question is kind of off subject but – the girl in the “Stay” video – how was it working with her and will she be in any more of your videos?
Ne-Yo: Taneisha Scott. She’s a choreographer. She does a lot of Sean Paul’s stuff. She’s developed her own fame off of that “Stay” video. She actually has a movie coming out. She’s was on tour with me, but I guess she’s gotten to big to do that anymore [laughs].
Aside from your album, you’re on a track with Ghostface. How was that experience and is there anyone else that you’d like to work with?
Ne-Yo: Yeah, I’d love to do a song with Method Man, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, the list goes on and on and on. Me and LL Cool J just did the remix to “So Sick”. I feel like anyone that’s down to work with me can come work with me, let’s grind.
Being relatively young in the game and having aspirations of being in the music business – what were some of the obstacles that you faced?
Ne-Yo: A lot of people didn’t think that the stuff I wrote was hot. They didn’t like the way that I sounded or the way that I looked. But that’s haters, though. If an atomic bomb was to drop tomorrow, the only thing that would be around would be cockroaches… and haters.
Def Jam’s legacy is built upon platinum hits and legendary stars – although your career is just beginning its impact can be felt deep. Looking ahead to the future – what do you think is next for Ne-Yo?
Ne-Yo: I’m about to do a few movies. I have a small role in the sequel to “Save the Last Dance”. In the movie, I have five lines. The character that I play -- his name is Mick. He’s the owner of the club that everyone is dancing in. I’ll probably be doing something associated with the soundtrack to the film. I am also going to be in this movie called, “Step Show”. It stars up-and-coming actor, Columbus Short and it also has Meagan Goode, Angela Bassett and myself in a supporting role. It’ll be a bigger role than the one that I play in “Save the Last Dance” part two. The album came out last week on February 28th. I’m also going to try and see if I could possibly do a tour with Mary J. Blige. I have a bunch of stuff coming up.
Aside from being Ne-Yo, the singer/songwriter/performer, who is Shaffer C. Smith – the man behind the image?
Ne-Yo: Let me get this straight… Shaffer is more the songwriter. He’s the dude who doesn’t mind not being in the spotlight. It’s because he’s such a regular dude; and he’s the person who I was before the artist came out. Ne-Yo is the artist. He’s the one who loves to talk to people, the one who loves to perform and dance in front of crowds. Between the two entities, I struggle to find the balance, but I’m working on it.
The R&B game has stepped up with songs from Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and a few others – do you believe that the music has made a jump forward? If so, in what way?
Ne-Yo: I think that back in the day, not even back in the day, you could turn on the radio and if you heard ten songs, nine of them were Hip-Hop songs. You’d more likely have an R&B singer on a Hip-Hop song performing on the track. I think that it [R&B] left for that time being because it wasn’t about the love. It was more so for the money. I made sure that when I did this album that I was doing it because of the love that I have for the art form. If there was no money in making music, I’d still do it because I love it passionately. I’m cool with Chris Brown and Trey Songz, I know that they feel the same way.
Five years from now, what do you see yourself doing?
Ne-Yo: I’m never going to stop music. I’ll still be writing music and coming out with songs that reflect my life. I have my record company called, Compound Entertainment. In five years, I hope that we’ll be up there with the Def Jam’s, the Bad Boy’s, and the J Records. I am also in the work of getting my clothing label off the ground. I hope that in five years, it would be out there, competing alongside the Sean John’s, the Rocawear’s, and the Phat Farm’s. I also have a son – who in five years will be five years old. At the end of the day, I still want to continue onward in my career and continue to make an impact as long as I am happy.
Last question, is there anything that you’d like to say to your fans and the readers here at HHDX.com?
Ne-Yo: I want to let the people know, that if you want to know more about me – check out the website at http://www.neyoworld.com. Please support the album. It came out on February 28th – again, it’s called – “In My Own Words”. Thank you so much for the support, HHDX.com – as long as you keep supporting me, then I’ll keep bringing the world that music from my soul.
