3 things you probably don’t know about Ne-Yo

by Miz Tee

American RnB singer and songwriter Ne-Yo is one artist whose success in the entertainment industry cannot be denied.

Here are 3 things you probably don’t know about Ne-Yo:

1. Ne-Yo co-wrote Beyonce’s hit song, Irreplaceable.

A controversy arose over the writing credits on “Irreplaceable” in 2007, a year after the song’s release.

Ne-Yo told MTV: “Apparently Beyoncé was at a show somewhere and right before the song came on she said, ‘I wrote this for all my ladies’ and then the song came on … The song is a co-write.

“I wrote the lyrics, I wrote all the lyrics. Beyoncé helped me with the melodies and the harmonies and the vocal arrangement and that makes it a co-write. Meaning my contribution and her contribution made that song what it is.”

During an interview in 2011, Ne-Yo said he regretted giving the song to Beyoncé — a comment which provoked Beyoncé’s fans (the intransigent Beyhive) as they took it as a diss to the superstar.

However, Ne-Yo quickly clarified his comment on Twitter, writing, “I said I originally wrote the song for me. … Once I realized how the song comes across if sung by a guy, that’s when I decided to give it away.”

Continued to be attacked by the Beyhive, Ne-Yo posted:

“Send me the link to where I said anything disrespectful about Beyonce, PLEASE! Dying to hear this.

“Just heard the audio where I supposedly dissed Beyonce. ARE Y’ALL SERIOUS!?! Did y’all even listen to what I said!?!

“I said I originally wrote the song for me. That’s true, so of course I didn’t want to give it away originally. IT WAS FOR ME,” he continued, clearly livid at the accusation.

“Once I realized how the song comes across if sung by a guy, that’s when I decided to give it away. HOW IS THAT DISSING BEYONCE!?! She took the song and made it a smash, NOBODY can deny that.”

2. Ne-Yo is of Chinese descent

Ne-Yo was born in Camden, Arkansas. His father is of both African American and Chinese descent, and his mother is African-American.

Both his parents were musicians. As a young child, he was raised by his mother after she separated from his father.

3. Ne-Yo’s second name is Igbo

Ne-Yo’s real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith.

Chimere is an Igbo name that means ‘God Made’ — this has led to many speculations that the music star could have Nigerian origins.

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