Ne-Yo faces his fans
SUNDAY Sessions promoter George D has pulled off another major coup, by bringing American R&B star Ne-Yo back to Faces this weekend.
The man behind the multi-million selling Mario track Let Me Love You, and his own, equally big, So Sick (Of Love Songs) returns after his roadblock performance last year, and is set to bring Gants Hill to a standstill once more.
Born into a family of musicians from Arkansas as Shafer C Smith, Ne-Yo was raised by his mother, who moved them both to Las Vegas to give her aspiring singer son more opportunities.
And it certainly seemed to work because as well as penning massive hits for other artists, Ne-Yo is now a successful recording artist in his own right.
He’s written songs for Beyonce, Mary J Blige and Faith Evans – not bad for someone of such tender years (he’s in his early 20s).
“Let Me Love You is a great song and I’m really happy to have wrote it,” he says.
He’s just as happy writing for other people as he is as penning his own stuff, explaining: “I feel there is always room for good music. I want to reach people’s souls with my lyrics through whatever vessel God chooses.”
Ne-Yo’s debut album, In My Own Words, was released in early 2006, through Def Jam Records, and debuted at No 1 in the American charts, selling more than 300,000 copies in the first week alone.
During the same week, his second single, So Sick, went to the top of the charts.
At the same time the track he wrote for Rihanna, Faithful, went top ten and shortly after, Irreplaceable, which he wrote for Beyonce, went to the top spot, where it stayed for 10 weeks.
His second album, Because Of You, was released in May to more critical acclaim.
Ne-Yo says he has written songs for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Enrique Iglesias for their upcoming albums. He says he has also agreed to write songs for Craig David, Usher, Chris Brown and Jennifer Hudson.
Meanwhile, he recently confirmed that he has been contacted by producer Will.i.am to work on Michael Jackson’s upcoming album.
For guest list for this Sunday, call 07753 475464 or go to www.sunday-sessions.co.uk. Doors are 9pm – late. Expect the usual trademark blend of George and fellow resident Vernon James’ feisty funky house either side of Ne-Yo’s live show.