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.
