Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Ne-Yo will be parting ways from Def Jam and joining Motown Records as an artist and senior VP of A&R, according to Billboard.biz. He will also be bringing along his Compound Entertainment imprint to the label as well, where he will serve as a producer and mentor to Motown artists and assist in the search for new talent.
“I’m honored that I’ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility; terrified because I know that playing this role in the fashion of one of my career role models, Mr. Smokey Robinson — these are big shoes to fill. But trust, I can handle it,” said Ne-Yo on the news.
Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO Barry Weiss and senior VP of Motown Ethiopia Habtemariam released a joint statement on the announcement with high hopes.
“His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark,” said Weiss. “But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012.”
Habetemariam added: “We are committed to discovering, developing and nurturing R&B/soul superstars here at Motown. In Ne-Yo we have both a global superstar and arguably one of the best songwriters in music. His presence on the executive team only strengthens our commitment to be the very best in R&B.”
Ne-Yo is slated to make Motown debut with his forthcoming fifth studio album this coming summer, as well as appearing on the upcoming season of NBC’s ‘The Voice’.