Back in1999, Ne-Yo started to receive placements for his songwriting working under his birth name Shaffer Smith. His valuable publishing catalog of records, performed by Rihanna, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Usher amongst others lead to the Songwriting Hall of Fame awarding him the Hal David Starlight Award.
The prestigious honor is bested upon songwriters “who are at an apex in their careers and making a significant impact in the music industry.” Ne-Yo joins the company of past honorees including Alicia Keys, Jason Marz, John Mayer, and John Legend.
Ne-Yo credited developing his talent as a youngster to his mother insisting, “I was a pretty riled up little kid. If not for my mom giving me the pad and the pen and telling me to take my emotions and put them there, there’s no telling. I might I have been sticking you up (robbing you) or something.”
Ne-Yo recently released his lead single “Lazy Love” from his upcoming album ‘R.E.D.’
