Grammy-Award winner Ne-Yo, who has impressed audiences with his talents since his 2006 with his multi-platinum, chart topping debut, In My Own Words, is fed-up with the sloppiness of current R&B. "Years ago, if you weren't wearing the right suit or have a correct crease in your pants, you couldn't even get in the door--let alone on stage to perform."<br /><br />
With Ne-Yo's third disc, Year of the Gentleman, the Las Vegas native and premier songwriter has constructed a suite of songs that shows exactly what he means by class.  Written over the course of travels through Europe last year and influenced by his own fascination with the Rat Pack, Ne-Yo explains, "For me, the sharpness of Sammy and Sinatra is the kind of style I strive for in clothes and music. Year of the Gentleman is named in honor of those guys."<br /><br />
Like the best artists, Ne-Yo's music has an eternal sound that appeals to fans of all ages. "As a songwriter as well as a singer, I think it's important to cast my words wide. In other words, I am not trying to contain myself in some little box marked 'urban.' I have traveled the world, and I want to bring that across in the material. Forget about urban, pop or whatever, Year of the Gentleman is a worldly album."<br /><br />In England, staying at his favorite hotel, the Courthouse, Ne-Yo would sometimes sit at the bar and write songs. "It's funny, because the hotel used to be a real courthouse," he says. "There was also a small jailhouse in there where supposedly David Bowie and Mick Jagger were both held at one time."<br /><br />Ne-Yo proves on the first single "Closer," it is possible to be classy and funky at the same time. Produced by Stargate, the track is an electro-excursion in the glam of Euro-disco. "I just love the beat on that record," says Ne-Yo. "When I was hanging-out in clubs in London, everything had energy. I wanted to merge that sound with American soul music, and 'Closer' is the end result."<br /><br />Harking back to a late-sixties retro sound, the beautiful "So You Can Cry" was one of the first songs Ne-Yo recorded for the project.  Opening with an enchanting guitar resembling soft rain, "So You Can Cry" is a heartbreaking tune about a friend mourning a break up.  "This is a true story," explains Ne-Yo.  "A friend of mine just broke up with her boyfriend and I said, 'Ok, take this moment to be sad.  I'll turn the sun away from you so you can cry today."   Embracing Lennon and McCartney with the same vigor as Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, the amazing "Stop This World" should be hailed as one of the most beautiful love songs in years. When Ne-Yo swoons, "She's got heaven in her eyes," there is no denying his passion.<br /><br />"I don't know what puts certain ideas in my head when I'm writing," explains Ne-Yo. "Sometimes I see a picture in a magazine, a painting in a museum or a word on a page, and that's all I need to trigger the thoughts."<br /><br />In addition to penning this new collection, Ne-Yo once again showed his writing prowess, penning lyrics for Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion as well as the chart topping, record breaking, Grammy nominated song "Irreplaceable" for Beyonce. <br /><br />As well recording Year of the Gentleman, last year proved to be a very busy time for the young talent. He release his award winning album, toured nationally and made multiple appearances TV appearances including Christmas In Washington making an appearance in front of George Bush but he declined to attend the a meet & greet with the current President. <br /><br />Moving beyond the competition by just being himself, Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman is right on time to usher in a new era of "world music." http://www.imeem.com/neyo Delta 0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <img src="http://www.islanddefjam.com/images/local/news/9e32695a-a190-46d6-adce-40b2870554c1.jpg"><br>Ne-Yo's new single "Never Knew I Needed" off the upcoming Disney Animated Picture "The Princess and the Frog", is available for download now!<br><br><a href="http://links.imeem.com/24WfOSfDu_" title="http://defj.am/nkinit">Click here</a> to download "Never Knew I Needed" on iTunes now<br><a href="http://links.imeem.com/14OETfDu_" title="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TVMO02?tag=islancom-20">Click here</a> to download "Never Knew I Needed" on Amazon now<br><br>The Princess and the Frog in theaters December 11th.<br><p><strong>YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN In Stores Now!</strong> Make sure you get your copy.</p><br /><p>Text NEYO to <strong>66937</strong> for a free Ne-Yo ringtone and updates.</p><br> Ne-Yo neyo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/blogs/2009/11/04/cOlXO3C7/new-single-ne-yo-never-knew-i-needed-available-for-download-on-itunes-amazon-now Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:06:10 -0000 ZbGnOOEIz3 <em>Just Dance</em> is now available everywhere! The album features remixes from Mariah Carey, Rihanna, NE-YO, The Killers, Lionel Richie, Duffy, Utada, and many more!<br /><br /><img src="http://media.islanddefjam.com/Christina/neyojustdance.jpg"><br /><br />You can have the <em>Just Dance</em> album for $2.99 with Amazon's Exclusive MP3 version of the album this week only! <br /><a href="http://links.imeem.com/24Pw1QL0l_" title="http://www.musicmedialink.com/a?t=c2399">Get Your's Now!!</a> Ne-Yo neyo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/blogs/2009/05/26/6pD7Sj6J/just-dance-in-stores-today Tue, 26 May 2009 15:31:58 -0000 bNTBFB8OB4 <img src="http://media.islanddefjam.com/Christina/Neyo.jpg"><br /><br />Summer&rsquo;s (almost) here and the time is (just) right for dancin&rsquo; in the<br />streets &ndash; as Island Def Jam Music Group in collaboration with Ultra<br />Records, premieres the first volume of JUST DANCE... <a href="http://links.imeem.com/24ZvESuwk_" title="http://www.islandrecords.com/site/newsinfo.php?uf_item_id=1-107796&uf_system_id=0">read full story here!</a><br /><br />Ne-Yo's "Mad" remix is one of the featured tracks! <br /><a href="http://links.imeem.com/24Pw1Ak-k_" title="http://www.musicmedialink.com/a?t=c2399">Get the Amazon Exclusive MP3 Version for $2.99 this week</a>! <br /><br />The album will be available Tuesday May 26th so reserve yours today. Ne-Yo neyo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/blogs/2009/05/24/TD4ZVt67/neyo-featured-in-just-dance Sun, 24 May 2009 18:05:23 -0000 ynAaQhBLAj Ne-Yo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/dRW6hUbR/imeemcom-ne-yo-on-miss-independent-music-video/ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:36:45 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/dRW6hUbR/imeemcom-ne-yo-on-miss-independent-music-video/"><img width="100" height="75" border="0" src="http://srv0204-07.sjc3.imeem.com/g/v/792454368e1bc59818cc90032abe606e_00010.jpg" title="Click to play this video"/></a></div> 0DCFOeiphm Ne-Yo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/YrNg8ivC/imeemcom-ne-yo-the-gentleman-music-video/ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:33:33 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/YrNg8ivC/imeemcom-ne-yo-the-gentleman-music-video/"><img width="100" height="75" border="0" src="http://srv0204-06.sjc3.imeem.com/g/v/51c2d4fda23d5531327ba212936a94a5_00010.jpg" title="Click to play this video"/></a></div> ETieJTxH9R Ne-Yo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/wc4uYGbp/imeemcom-ne-yo-on-mad-music-video/ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:30:21 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/wc4uYGbp/imeemcom-ne-yo-on-mad-music-video/"><img width="100" height="75" border="0" src="http://srv0204-03.sjc3.imeem.com/g/v/27d39ad495a631dede2ec40dea462015_00010.jpg" title="Click to play this video"/></a></div> -CBbw7Dyu9 Ne-yo just announced his US Tour dates for 2009!! Check em out below:<br /><br /><br />------January------ <br /><br />01.21.2009 <br />NEWCASTLE, UK METRO RADIO ARENA<br /><br />01.22.2009 <br />BIRMINGHAM, <br />UK NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA / NIA / N.I.A.<br /><br />01.24.2009 <br />NOTTINGHAM, UK TRENT FM ARENA <br />(FORMERLY THE NOTTINGHAM ARENA)<br /><br />01.25.2009 <br />BOURNEMOUTH, <br />UK BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE - PURBECK HALL<br /><br />01.27.2009<br /> LONDON, <br />UK THE O2 ARENA<br /><br />01.29.2009<br /> MANCHESTER,<br /> UK MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA / MEN ARENA<br /><br />01.30.2009 <br />CARDIFF, UK CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA - CIA<br /><br /><br />------February------ <br /><br />Thu 2/5<br /> Las Vegas, NV<br /> The Pearl at The Palms<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Fri 2/6<br /> Oakland, CA<br /> Paramount Theater<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Sat 2/7<br /> Los Angeles, CA<br /> Club Nokia<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Tuesday 2/10 <br />Gainesville, FL <br />Stephen C. O'ConnellL Center<br /><br />Wed 2/11<br /> Miami, FL<br /> Waterfront Theater<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Fri 2/13<br /> New Orleansl, LA<br /> UNO Lake Front<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Sat 2/14<br /> Houston, TX<br /> Reliant Center<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Sun 2/15<br /> Grand Prairie, TX<br /> Nokia Live<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Wed 2/18<br /> Washington, DC<br /> Constitution Hall<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Thu 2/19<br /> Baltimore, MD<br /> Lyric Theater<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Fri 2/20<br /> New York, NY<br /> Radio City Music Hall<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Sat 2/21<br /> Orlando, FL<br /> Universal Studios<br /> <br /> Sun 2/22<br /> Upper Darby, PA<br /> Tower Theatre<br /> <br /> Wed 2/25<br /> Atlanta, GA<br /> Fox Theatre<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Thu 2/26<br /> Memphis, TN<br /> Orpheum Theater<br /> with Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Fri 2/27<br /> Chicago, IL<br /> Chicago Theater<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br />Sat 2/28<br /> Detroit, MI<br /> Fox Theater<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br /><br />------March------ <br /><br />Sun 3/1<br /> St. Louis, MO<br /> Fox Theater<br /> with Musiq and Jazmine Sullivan<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/gjghgjkkj" rel="tag"></a> Ne-Yo neyo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/blogs/2009/01/07/qnjC_A2k/ne-yo-us-tour-dates-for-the-new-year Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:05:02 -0000 5mjRCPpZ1E Ne-Yo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/music/DZ5unu1A/dex-mentirosa/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:05:51 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/music/DZ5unu1A/dex-mentirosa/"><img border="0" src="http://resources-p2.imeem.com/resources/versioned/2/graphics/icons/no_album_art_100x100.png" title="Click to play this song"/></a></div> Gm9S6Rzsc6 <p><object width="400" height="311"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/v/J0iXyD6F8-/aus=false/pv=2"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/v/J0iXyD6F8-/aus=false/pv=2" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="311" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object></p><br /><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/webejAci/neyo_go_on_girl_imeem_exclusive_music_video/">Go On Girl (imeem exclusive) - Ne-Yo</a><br /><br />Big super Thank You to all of you fans who participated and voted in the imeem song showdown! The winner of the battle was "Go On Girl" and as promised, a special performance for all of "Go On Girl" above. Enjoy :)<br /><br />-Ne-Yo<br /><br />www.yearofthegentleman.com<br />Text DEFJAM to 66937 to join our mobile list.<a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/great" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/love" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/voice" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/go" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/and" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/neyo!" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/ur" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/girl" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/with" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/song" rel="tag"></a> Ne-Yo neyo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/blogs/2008/11/19/8yz0B7CU/thank-you-to-all-of-you-fans-who-participated-and-voted-in-the-imeem-song-showdown Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:17:56 -0000 jo1FsHcib6 Ne-Yo http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/webejAci/ne-yo-go-on-girl-imeem-exclusive-music-video/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:22:56 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/neyo/video/webejAci/ne-yo-go-on-girl-imeem-exclusive-music-video/"><img width="100" height="66" border="0" src="http://srv0204-06.sjc3.imeem.com/g/v/a7cade2ac7f4d7cea06443bbc3fbf12e_00010.jpg" title="Click to play this video"/></a></div> J0iXyD6F8-