Ne-Yo Leaves Def Jam

Ne-Yo has officially left Def Jam and is now making his way to Motown Records.

It was announced yesterday (January 25) by Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown, and Ethiopia Habtemariam, Senior Vice President of Motown Records, that Ne-Yo will become Senior Vice President of A&R for the historic label.

Ne-Yo is bringing his label imprint, Compound Entertainment, over to Motown, along with three Grammy Awards and a highly anticipated fifth studio album, which will likely release in the summer as his label debut.

While at Motown, Ne-Yo will serve as a producer and mentor to label artists, along with being responsible for seeking out and signing new talent to the label.

“I’m a combination of excited, honored and terrified all at once!” said Ne-Yo in a statement. “Excited about a new beginning here at Motown, 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 idols and career role models, Mr. Smokey Robinson. These are big shoes to fill…..but trust, I can handle it.”

Ne-Yo has been busy as of late, recently hitting the big screen as a co-star in the movie Red Tails and on national TV on NBC’s upcoming season of The Voice, as a mentor for Cee-Lo Green’s team.

“Ne-Yo is an enormously talented artist, songwriter, and producer,” said Weiss. “In fact, he’s one of the greatest songwriters of our times. His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark. 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,” he added.

Ne-Yo’s most recent album from 2010, Libra Scale, followed up the RIAA-certified platinum album, Year Of The Gentleman, released in 2008. The album was his third consecutive to enter the Soundscan chart at #1.

Year Of The Gentleman had several RIAA platinum hit singles, including “Closer,” “Miss Independent,” and “Mad,” and received five Grammy nominations in 2009. His track “Miss Independent” won Best R&B Song (songwriters’ award) and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

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