Ne-Yo is a three-time, GRAMMY award-winning hitmaker, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose smooth vocals, creative storytelling and dynamic versatility have defined the sound of music for nearly two decades. Ne-Yo ascended to superstardom with his 2005 debut single “So Sick,” which was certified quadruple-platinum. Since then, Ne-Yo has continued to deliver an array of era-shaping singles, including “Sexy Love,” “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent,” “Mad,” “Let Me Love You,” “Time of Our Lives,” and many more. He also earned his first diamond-certified song with his collaboration with Pitbull and Afrojack on “Give Me Everything.” As a solo artist, Ne-Yo has cemented his legacy as one of the all-time hitmakers, winning three GRAMMY awards, earning two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and generating over 23 billion streams across his entire catalog. February 2026 will mark the 20-year anniversary of his debut album, “In My Own Words,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became a cultural touchstone. Additionally, Ne-Yo has proven to be an equally talented songwriter, penning bangers like Rihanna’s "Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable” and songs for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Mario, among others. The multihyphenate has also leveraged his platform to expand into the film and television space, appearing in STARZ’s BMF, NBC’s World of Dance, Netflix’s Dance Monsters, Empire, Stomp the Yard, Save the Last Dance, Battle: Los Angeles, George Lucas' Red Tails, The Wiz Live!, Starz’ Step Up: High Water, Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding and The Sound of Christmas. Ne-Yo is currently gearing up to explore a new musical frontier and preparing to release his country-inspired album. He has spent months in Nashville, working with different collaborators to blend his signature sound with the poignant melodies of country music.
(Ne-Yo, photo courtesy of Polk & Co.)