NE-YO

a.k.a. Shaffer Chimere Smith
Born: October 18, 1979
Camden, Arkansas

Ne-Yo once told Young Hollywood "music is not something that I do, music is something that I am." We couldn't have said it better ourselves! As an artist, Ne-Yo immerses himself in his craft as a singer, songwriter, record producer, rapper and dancer.

With his first two albums, In My Own Words and Because of You, Ne-Yo has already peppered the Billboard Hot 100 with a number of top 10 hits. And that's not counting the hit songs he's written for other artists such as Rihanna and Beyonce! Every song he touches turns into pop and R&B gold. When Young Hollywood spoke to Ne-Yo about his multiple Grammy nominations, the crooner said he wanted to "walk away with at least one." And that he did! In 2008, Ne-Yo picked up the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The hits just keep coming and we know there's much more in the future for this gifted star!

FUN FACTS:

• Ne-Yo owns a production company called Compound Entertainment.

• He wrote the hits "Unfaithful", "Take a Bow", and "Irreplaceable."

• His "Miss Independent" music video featured Gabrielle Union and Keri Hilson.