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Ne-Yo music biography continued...

Christina Milian, Rihanna, and many others. He was first recognized for co-writing Mario's number one hit "Let Me Love You" in 2004. Since then he has recorded his own album, releasing the number one hit single "So Sick". His stage name was derived when a friend stated that he could "see" music similar to the way Keanu Reeves' character Neo sees the matrix.

Ne-Yo was born on October 18, 1982 in Camden, Arkansas into a family of musicians. He is of African American, Puerto Rican and Chinese descent. His mother, who raised him on her own, decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada in hopes of a better future for her son. The singer discovered his passion for music as he began writing lyrics at a very young age. He eventually was given the opportunity to compose lyrics for several R&B artists. Despite his great success as a songwriter, he still had an incredible desire to be a singer.

Ne-Yo was signed to Columbia Records, however his album project had been put on hold for a year ultimately causing him to leave the label. Following the disappointment from the failed record deal, he decided that he should stay behind the scenes and continue songwriting, however his talent was noticed by Tina Davis of Def Jam Records who immediately introduced him to chairman L.A. Reid.

"Stay" a collaboration with Peedi Crack was released by Def Jam in 2005 and was Ne-Yo's first single. His debut album In My Own Words was released a short while later in February of 2006. The second single "So Sick" proved to be an incredible success reaching number one on the Hot 100 as well as the Pop 100.

The young talent has recently contributed his writing skills to Jamie Foxx's latest album Unpredictable as well as Mary J. Blige's newest, The Breakthrough. He also wrote Rihanna's hit single "Unfaithful" off of A Girl Like Me as well as songs off the soundtrack for the upcoming film Steppin' Up': Save the Last Dance 2 in which he also makes his acting debut.